5 Pickleball Rushing Mistakes Costing You Points

Rushing is one of the most common pickleball mistakes that silently destroys your game. From running through shots to insta-serving, these five pickleball rushing mistakes are probably costing you points in every single match.

The habit of rushing is quietly destroying your pickleball game, and you probably don't even realize it's happening.

Whether you're sprinting to the ball, launching into your serve without thinking, or lunging at that high volley, rushing creates a cascade of errors that feel random but are actually predictable. C.J. Johnson, co-founder of Better

Pickleball, breaks down exactly how rushing manifests on court and what you can do to fix it.

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The Real Cost of Rushing in Pickleball

Here's the thing:

Your mind and body operate at the same pace.

When your brain is racing, your body follows.

That's why pickleball rushing mistakes aren't just about physical technique; they're about mental state.

You arrive at the court calm, but the moment everyone's ready to play, your mind shifts into overdrive.

Your first game becomes a wash. Sometimes that feeling lingers all day.

The good news? Each rushing mistake has a simple fix. Once you understand what's happening, you can slow yourself down and regain control.

Mistake #1: Running Through Your Return of Serve

The first pickleball rushing mistake shows up when you're sprinting to the ball. The classic example is the return of serve.

Many coaches teach players to run through the shot because it's faster to reach the non-volley zone. Technically, that's not wrong.

But here's what actually happens: you're not accounting for the energy your body is putting into the shot.

You've probably hit a short shot, run up to it, and watched it sail out of bounds. That's the momentum from your body working against you.

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Most players gain way more control by stopping their body and getting balanced before they hit the shot.

Set your feet first, then let your body move through the shot. This gives you command over the energy going into the ball.

C.J. Johnson demonstrates the difference clearly: when he takes his time and gets set, he controls the energy.

When he rushes through, anything can happen. The ball becomes unpredictable.

As legendary basketball coach John Wooden said,

Be quick, but don't hurry.

That's perfect advice for pickleball. Be quick getting to the ball, but don't rush through the shot itself.

Mistake #2: Rushing Out of the Dink

The second pickleball rushing mistake happens at the net, and it's closely related to the first one.

You get ready for a dink coming in, you set up, but before you finish the shot, you're already moving out of it.

That loss of control opens the door for your opponent to attack.

When you rush out of the dink, the ball pops up. You've just handed your opponent an easy put-away.

The fix is simple:

Get low
Get into position
Hit the dink
Stay in control

Feel like you're posing for a picture. Then recover into your ready position. That pause matters more than you think.

Mistake #3: Rushing Your Mind Before You Even Play

This one's sneaky because it happens before the rally even starts. You arrive at the court nice and calm.

Maybe you're the last one there. Suddenly everyone's ready to play, and your mind starts racing. Your mind is rushing.

Everything feels out of sync. The first game is already lost.

Sometimes that feeling stays with you all day. The fix has two parts.

First, don't start playing until you're actually ready to play. Taking time to settle in and focus isn't just better for your mind; it's better for your body too. Your body gets time to warm up properly.
Second, if you feel yourself rushing while you're playing, take the paddle out of your playing hand between shots. This sounds simple, but it works. There's a real connection between your brain and your body. If your brain is going fast or your body has tension, your brain speeds up even more. Removing the paddle relaxes your grip and your nervous system.

Mistake #4: The "Instaserve" (Rushing Your Serve)

The fourth pickleball rushing mistake is what C.J. Johnson and his partner Tony Roy call the "instaserve."

You get to the line, and without any thought, you're calling the score and hitting the ball. Everything is rushed, and you have no idea where that serve went.

Your mind and body operate on the same wavelength. If you're rushing verbally, you're rushing in your brain, and you're rushing your body's motion.

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That rushing motion is what causes you to lose control. The fix is a pre-shot routine. Come up to the line, call out the score clearly.

Bounce the ball a couple of times (with your hand or paddle, whatever works for you).

Step back. Acquire your target. Take a deep breath. A breath relaxes your body.

Then execute the shot. When your mind and body are clear on what you're about to do, you have a much better chance of hitting a smooth, reliable serve.

Mistake #5: Rushing the Meatball Volley

Those high, juicy volleys sitting right at the net are there for the taking.

You know it's your chance to end the rally. So you rush through the shot, trying to do too much with it. And you miss it into the net.

All that rushing leads to movement that's too early, a swing that's too early, and too much motion overall.

That excitement and urgency is what sends the ball into the net.

The next time you get that meatball, don't rush. Take your time. Be smooth and under control. You're going to hit a much more consistent shot.

The Bonus Fix: Two-Push Breathing Technique

Here's something you can use right now. C.J. Johnson teaches a simple breathing technique called the two-push breathing method.

It's designed to help you reset and relax before your next shot.

Take one big breath in through your nose. Then do two pushes out of your mouth, really focusing on getting all the air out of your lungs.

You'll feel your shoulders drop. Tension leaves your neck. Your mind relaxes, and your body gets into the right physical condition to hit the next shot.

The beauty of this technique is that you're going to breathe between shots anyway. Why not make it something useful that actually helps you play better pickleball?

Putting It All Together

The pattern is clear: rushing creates loss of control. Control comes from slowing down.

Pick the one mistake that bothers you the most and start there. Once you fix that, move to the next one.

If you want more tools to help slow down your brain and body so the game becomes easier, C.J. Johnson and Tony Roy offer a free Prepare to Play Guide and their book, Pickleball Therapy, which dives deeper into the mental side of the game.

The takeaway is simple:

Be quick, but don't hurry. Your game will transform.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes rushing in pickleball?

Rushing typically stems from mental pressure, excitement, or trying to do too much with a shot. Your mind and body operate at the same pace, so when your brain is racing, your body follows. Arriving late to the court or feeling rushed before play starts can trigger this pattern for the entire session.

How do I stop rushing my serve in pickleball?

Develop a pre-shot routine: call out the score, bounce the ball a few times, step back, acquire your target, and take a deep breath. This slows your mind and body down, giving you clarity before you execute. The routine creates a mental checkpoint that prevents the "instaserve" problem.

Why does running through my shots cause errors?

When you run through a shot, you're not accounting for the momentum and energy your body is generating. That uncontrolled energy transfers to the ball, making it unpredictable. Stopping your feet and getting balanced before hitting gives you command over that energy.

Can breathing techniques really help my pickleball game?

Yes. The two-push breathing technique relaxes your shoulders, releases neck tension, and puts your body into the right physical state to hit the next shot. Since you're breathing between shots anyway, making it intentional and structured gives you a mental reset that improves consistency.

How long does it take to fix rushing mistakes?

It depends on which mistake you're targeting and how often you play. Start with the one that bothers you most. Most players see improvement within a few weeks of consistent practice and awareness. The key is recognizing the pattern and applying the fix every time you play.