What should a complete beginner focus on first?

Dinking! It's the most important shot in pickleball. Master the soft game first.

Footwork and positioning are more important than fancy shots.

Consistency over power. Just get the ball back over the net.

Learn the rules thoroughly - especially the kitchen and double-bounce rules.

Practice your serve until it's reliable. An unreliable serve kills your game.

Watch some YouTube tutorials - tons of great free content for beginners.