1. Warm-Up (10-15 minutes)
• Dynamic stretching: Focus on key muscle groups (legs, arms, shoulders) to prevent injury.
• Light footwork drills: Side shuffles, small jumps, and movement around the court to increase agility.
• Simple rallying: Allow players to hit the ball back and forth to get a feel for the paddle and ball without pressure.
2. Introduction to the Game (5 minutes)
• Basic overview of pickleball: Briefly explain the game’s origin, objectives, and how it compares to sports like tennis or badminton.
• Court tour: Walk through the court dimensions, highlighting key areas (non-volley zone, baseline, sidelines).
3. Basic Rules of Pickleball (5-10 minutes)
• Explain how points are scored (only on serve).
• Overview of the serving rules (underhand, crosscourt) and the two-bounce rule.
• Discuss the non-volley zone (kitchen) and when players can step into it.
4. Stroke Technique and Drills (30 minutes)
1. Serve (10 minutes)
• Demonstration: Show the correct underhand serve technique, emphasizing foot placement, paddle position, and follow-through.
• Drill: Players practice serving to different areas of the opposite court, aiming for consistency. Partnered practice with feedback.
2. Forehand and Backhand Groundstrokes (10 minutes)
• Demonstration: Explain grip (continental or eastern) and footwork, focusing on low-to-high swing motion.
• Drill: Players practice forehand and backhand strokes with a partner, trying to rally without missing.
3. Dinking (10 minutes)
• Demonstration: Teach the soft shot (dink) and how it is used near the kitchen. Focus on control and ball placement.
• Drill: Players stand at the non-volley zone and practice gentle dinks back and forth, aiming to keep the ball low.
5. Game Situation: Rallying and Shot Placement (20 minutes)
• Mini-games: Players engage in half-court rallies or one-on-one mini-games to focus on keeping the ball in play and improving consistency.
• Shot placement: Instruct players on the importance of hitting the ball to open areas of the court or deep shots to the baseline.
6. Intro to Doubles Play (10 minutes)
• Basic doubles positioning: Explain where to stand during serves, returns, and volleys.
• Switching roles: Practice transitioning between being at the net and at the baseline, and emphasize teamwork in doubles.
7. Cool-Down and Review (10 minutes)
• Stretching: Focus on stretching the legs, arms, and back to prevent soreness after the lesson.
• Review: Recap the key points from the lesson—rules, basic shots (serve, groundstrokes, dink), and game strategies.
• Q&A: Open the floor for questions and clarifications, offering individual feedback.