What should a complete beginner focus on first?

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

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

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

Footwork and positioning are more important than fancy shots.

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

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