Tips for Playing Your First Pickleball Tournament (or your First Match in a New One)
Getting ready for your first pickleball tournament—or even just your first match in a new competition—can be a bit nerve-wracking. Your palms are sweaty, your paddle feels heavier than usual, and suddenly you forgot how to hit a drop shot. Don’t worry—nerves are completely normal, and the good news is there are simple ways to ease into your match and play your best.
Here are some practical tips to help you settle in, stay focused, and enjoy the experience.
1. Accept the Nerves (They're Normal!)
It’s totally okay to feel nervous before a match. The key is not to fight it—acknowledge the nerves, take a few deep breaths, and remember that even experienced players get butterflies before a big game (ask the pros!). The more tournaments you play, the easier it gets. Coach Luke says: We also tend to rush when we are nervous. The key is to slow down and take your time - remember you have 10 seconds to serve after the score has been called - that is quite long!)
2. Use the Warm-Up to Get Comfortable
Arrive early and use warm-up time to get used to the court surface, lighting, and bounce of the ball. Every venue plays a little differently, so this is your chance to adjust your timing and footwork before the match begins. The longer the warm up you can have the better!
3. Start With High-Percentage Shots
In the early stages of a match, avoid going for flashy drops or tricky low-percentage shots. Focus on consistency—deep serves, safe returns, and dinks that land in the kitchen. These high-percentage plays help settle your nerves and keep unforced errors low. Coach Luke says: For the first couple of points drive the ball - when we are nervous we tend to under hit our drops!
4. Communicate With Your Partner
If you're playing doubles, stay in sync with your partner. Talk about who takes middle balls, when to move up to the kitchen, and keep encouraging each other. Good communication calms nerves and builds trust.
5. Watch Your Opponents Early
Use the first few points to observe your opponents—how they move, which shots they favor, and where they struggle. This gives you valuable info to build your strategy without overcomplicating your own game. Also can you identify who is the weaker player?
6. Reset Between Points
Win or lose a rally, take a quick breath between points. Use this time to stay calm, refocus, and shake off any mistakes. Stay present and play one point at a time. Coach Luke says: most tournaments allow 1 or 2 timeouts per game. Had a rough start? Take a timeout just to change the momentum.
7. Most of All—Enjoy It!
Your first tournament is a learning experience, not a pressure test. Every match helps you improve and grow more comfortable under pressure.
Ready to build confidence and level up your game? Join our pickleball coaching lessons in Auckland—we’ll help you prepare for match day and beyond!
Your next read: Strength and Conditioning for Pickleball Players: Exercises to Stay Strong and Injury-Free
