Introduction to Pickleball & Basic Strokes
• Brief history and objective of the game
• Court layout and terminology (kitchen, baseline, service area)
• Proper grip (Eastern grip) and stance
• Forehand & backhand groundstrokes
• Drills: Hitting the ball back and forth (no net at first), then over the net
• Basic footwork positioning
Advanced Techniques & Competitive Play
• Spin shots (topspin dinks, slice serves)
• Fast-paced hand battles at the net
• Stacking strategy for doubles play
• Tournament rules & mindset
• Focused drills based on individual weaknesses
Lesson 4: Volleying & Net Play
• How to volley (punch vs. block volley)
• When to step into the kitchen (only after the ball bounces)
• Drills: Volley-to-volley rally at the net
Lesson 5: Third Shot Drop & Transitioning to the Net
• Purpose of the third shot drop
• Technique (soft lift shot with arc)
• Drills: Third shot drop from the baseline
Lesson 6: Doubles Positioning & Communication
• Where to stand on serve, return, and during rallies
• Partner communication (calling shots, “mine/yours”)
• Drills: Simulated points with partner coordination
Lesson 7: Defensive Strategies & Resetting Points
• Defending against fast shots
• How to reset a point (soft hands, neutralizing hard shots)
• Drills: Resetting shots from midcourt
Lesson 8: Lobs, Overheads, & Countering Them
• When to use lobs and how to execute them
• Overhead smash technique
• Drills: Lob and overhead practice
Lesson 9: Shot Variety & Strategy
• Mixing up pace and placement
• How to read an opponent’s tendencies
• Drills: Practicing different shot selections
Lesson 10: Full Match Play with Coaching
• Students play full games
• Coach stops play for teaching moments
• Focus on implementing all skills learned
Serving & Return of Serve
• Rules for serving (underhand, diagonal, one bounce rule)
• Proper serve technique (drop serve vs. traditional serve)
• Return of serve technique (deep returns)
• Drills: Practicing serves and return placement
• Mini-game focusing on consistent serves
The Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen) & Dinking
• Explanation of the non-volley zone rules
• Dink shot technique & purpose (soft game)
• Movement & positioning near the kitchen
• Drills: Dink rallies crosscourt and straight-on
• Mini-game: Only dinks allowed
High-Level Shot Consistency & Precision
• Goal: Improve shot placement, control, and consistency.
• Focus:
• Deep and precise serves & returns.
• Dinking with purpose (angles, spins, forcing errors).
• Drills: Targeted shot placement (cones or markers).
• Mini-game: Only successful placement shots score points.
Competitive Refinement & Custom Drills
• Breaking down specific weaknesses in an individual’s game.
• High-intensity drilling for shot execution under pressure.
• Learning opponent patterns and in-game adjustments.
• Advanced fitness and conditioning for faster reaction times.
• Preparing for local tournament play.
Advanced Strategy & High-Level Play
Lesson 4: Defending Against Aggressive Play
• Anticipating attack shots.
• Counterattacking with blocks and counter-volley techniques.
• Drills: Fast-paced transition defense.
Lesson 5: Advanced Doubles Tactics (Stacking & Switching)
• Stacking strategy for dominant positioning.
• How to shift and switch effectively.
• Drills: Stacking scenarios with real-time coaching.
Lesson 6: Taking Control of the Kitchen Line
• How to apply constant offensive pressure.
• Forcing opponents into errors through strategic dinking and movement.
• Mini-game: Winning points only by forcing an opponent’s error at the kitchen.
Lesson 7: Advanced Spin & Shot Variety
• Slice returns and dinks.
• Topspin rolling dinks and flick volleys.
• Drills: Spin application on different shots.
Lesson 8: Strategic Lobbing & Defending Against Lobs
• When to use offensive lobs in high-level play.
• Proper technique for tracking and countering lobs.
• Drills: Live lob attack and defense scenarios.
Lesson 9: Mental Toughness & Tournament Preparation
• Staying composed in high-pressure situations.
• Tactical adjustments mid-match.
• Competitive play simulation with coaching feedback.
Lesson 10: Full Match Play & Coaching Review
• Applying all techniques in structured match play.
• Identifying individual weaknesses and strengths.
• Post-game feedback and action plan for improvement.
Mastering the Third Shot Drop & Drive
• Goal: Develop versatility in third shot options.
• Focus:
• Perfecting soft third shot drop (arc control, minimizing pop-ups).
• When to drive instead (against slow returns, attacking weaknesses).
• Drills: Alternating between third shot drop and drive based on coach-fed balls.
• Game Simulation: Drive vs. Drop Decision-Making Scenarios.
Speed-Up Shots & Fast-Hands Battles
• Goal: Improve reaction speed and offensive shot execution.
• Focus:
• When and how to speed up a dink or volley.
• Hand-eye coordination drills (reaction volleys, paddle taps, “firefights”).
• Defensive resets after a fast exchange.
• Mini-game: Speed-ups allowed only in designated areas.