If you have visited an RV resort in Michigan recently, you have probably noticed the pickleball courts getting busier earlier each morning. The sport has become popular among active travelers, retirees, and families who want a social, fun activity during their camping trips.
The good news for beginners is that you do not need athletic experience or costly gear to play pickleball. However, one skill makes the biggest difference between enjoying the game and feeling frustrated: footwork.
This guide gives you five simple pickleball footwork drills you can do at your campsite, a 10-minute morning routine, and helpful tips to make the most of your time on the court at Hidden Ponds RV Resort in South Haven.
Most new pickleball players focus all their attention on the paddle. They think about how hard to hit, where to aim, and what spin to use. But often, their feet stay flat and do not move until the ball has already gone by.
In reality, footwork shapes everything that happens before you hit the ball. Getting into position, staying balanced, and recovering quickly after each rally all depend first on your footwork, with technique problems second.
When your feet are in the right spot, making the shot feels easy. If they are not, even a good swing can go off target. For beginners, working on footwork for just 10 minutes a day leads to faster progress than hours of paddle practice.
Before you start the drills, it helps to know what to avoid. These four mistakes are common among new players.
Playing flat-footed is the most common issue. If your weight is on your heels, you cannot react quickly in any direction. Staying light on the balls of your feet makes moving much easier.
Crossing your feet while moving sideways can throw off your balance and slow your recovery. The shuffle step, explained in the drills below, fixes this right away.
If you do not reset to the center after each shot, you will be out of position for the next ball. Every drill in this guide helps you build the habit of returning to a ready position after each move.
Lunging for the ball instead of stepping is a sign your footwork needs work. Taking short, quick steps gets you there more efficiently and leaves you balanced when you arrive.
You do not need a court, net, or partner for these drills. Just find a small open area of grass, gravel, or pavement at your campsite.
The split step is a small hop you do just as your opponent is about to hit the ball. It gets your legs ready to move quickly in any direction. To practice, stand in a relaxed, ready position and hop both feet out to shoulder-width, landing lightly on the balls of your feet. Do this 10 to 15 times, focusing on landing softly and feeling ready to move. Once it feels natural, add a step to the left or right after each hop to practice reacting to a shot.
Mark two spots about 10 to 15 feet apart using shoes, water bottles, or anything you have at your campsite. Shuffle sideways from one spot to the other without crossing your feet, keeping your hips low and your weight centered. Go back to the starting point and repeat 8 to 10 times. The shuffle step is the main movement along the kitchen line, so practice until it feels natural.
The kitchen line is the non-volley zone near the net, and many points are won or lost there. To practice quick feet, stand in one spot and tap your feet as quickly as you can for 20 to 30 seconds. The goal is to keep your feet active and ready, not just to go fast. Rest for 30 seconds and repeat three times.
Place two objects about 8 feet apart. Stand in the middle and have a friend call out ‘left’ or ‘right’ at random. Step quickly toward the called side, touch the object, and return to the center. If you are practicing alone, use a timer on your phone set to random intervals as a cue to change direction. This drill improves your reaction time and ability to change direction, which really helps during games.
After each shot in pickleball, it is important to quickly regain your balance. To practice, step forward onto one foot, hold your balance for two seconds, then step back to the center. Switch legs and repeat 10 times on each side. Add a small pivot at the end of each step to practice turning after a shot. This drill helps you stay stable and makes recovery between rallies feel easier.
Warming up for five minutes before you play can make a big difference, especially if you are over 40. Start with 60 seconds of light walking or jogging in place to gently raise your heart rate.
Follow with ankle circles: 10 in each direction on each foot to prepare the joints that take the most impact when you move side to side. Then, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and make slow circles with your hips. Finish with shoulder rolls in both directions to loosen up your upper body.
By the time you get to the Hidden Ponds court, your body will be ready to move, and you will avoid the stiffness that can come from going straight from a relaxed morning to active play.
Campsite surfaces are different, so you need to pay attention to each one. On gravel, wear shoes with good ankle support and take shorter steps to stay stable. On grass, look out for uneven ground or soft spots that could trip you up. Pavement is most likely a court, but it can be tough on your joints if you practice for a long time.
No matter the surface, avoid practicing during the hottest part of a Michigan summer day. Early morning and evening are cooler, more comfortable, and easier on your body. Keep water nearby and take breaks when you need them. These drills are meant to be sustainable, not tiring.
Pickleball is now one of the most popular recreational sports for active adults over 40, and for good reason. It is easier on the body than tennis, easier to learn than most racket sports, and social enough to make playing feel fun rather than like a chore.
If you are just starting out, begin with shorter sessions of 20 to 30 minutes and gradually increase your time as you go. Focus on placing your shots instead of hitting hard. A soft, well-placed shot wins more points than a hard shot that goes out.
Pay attention to your knees and ankles when moving side to side. These drills are designed to be gentle, but if something feels uncomfortable, slow down and move less instead of pushing through. The goal is to enjoy pickleball for years, not to impress anyone right away.
You can do this routine at your campsite before breakfast, wearing casual clothes and regular trainers if needed.
2 minutes: Light walking or jogging in place followed by ankle circles and shoulder rolls.
2 minutes: Split step drill, 15 reps with a directional step added after each one.
2 minutes: Side shuffle drill, back and forth between two markers at a comfortable pace.
2 minutes: Kitchen line quick feet, three sets of 20 seconds with 30 seconds rest between each.
2 minutes: Balance and recovery movements, 10 reps on each leg with a small pivot at the end.
Just ten minutes is all it takes. If you do this routine every day during your stay, you will build good movement habits that make playing on the court much more enjoyable
Hidden Ponds RV Resort, at 73030 12th Avenue in South Haven, is one of the few RV resorts in West Michigan that truly value active recreation for guests. The resort offers a pickleball court, walking trails, wide concrete roads for easy movement, and green spaces where you can practice drills, play lawn games, or just stay active between meals and outings.
The community atmosphere at Hidden Ponds makes playing pickleball even more enjoyable. Morning sessions bring together returning guests and newcomers alike, and the relaxed setting helps beginners feel welcome.
Early morning is the best time to play pickleball during a Michigan summer camping trip. It is cooler, the courts are quieter just after sunrise, and starting your day with some activity sets a positive tone for the rest of the day.
Evening sessions after 5 pm are the next-best time to play, once the midday heat has passed. This is also when the court becomes livelier, as more guests finish their day trips and look for something to do before dinner.
It is best to avoid playing between 11 am and 3 pm during the peak summer months. The heat in South Haven during July and August can be intense, and staying active at that time is tougher than most casual players expect.
Pickleball footwork does not need to be complicated. Five simple drills, 10 minutes in the morning, and a surface to practice on are genuinely all it takes to improve your movement and enjoy the game more from your very first session.
If you are planning a Michigan camping trip and want a resort that supports an active outdoor lifestyle, Hidden Ponds RV Resort in South Haven offers the space, amenities, and community to help you make the most of every day. Book your stay and bring your paddle.
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