In the first session, players will get familiar with the basics of pickleball. We'll start with a quick explanation of the court layout, the equipment, and the basic rules of the game. Players will learn how to hold the paddle correctly and practice the ready position and simple footwork. We'll introduce the underhand serve and have them practice serving into the correct box. Players will also try returning a serve and learn about the two-bounce rule. We'll wrap up with a few fun and informal rallies or mini games so everyone gets a feel for hitting the ball back and forth.
In these ongoing sessions, we’ll shift the focus to making all the skills more consistent and applying them in full games. Players will refine their serve, return, dinks, and third shot drops with better accuracy and depth. We’ll work on smart shot selection and court awareness. Each session will include more live play and competitive games, with feedback from the coach. Players will also learn how to read opponents and make adjustments. This is where we bring everything together so players feel confident and prepared to play recreational games or even enter beginner tournaments.
During this stage, players will start to learn more advanced beginner skills and movement. We’ll introduce the third shot drop—a soft shot used to move up to the net—and practice transitioning from the baseline to the kitchen line. Players will work on staying out of the non-volley zone and learn how to play as a team in doubles. Communication, court positioning, and decision-making will be a big part of these lessons. Each session will include focused drills followed by game-like scenarios where players can practice strategies in live play.
In these next two lessons, we’ll focus on building control and consistency. Players will practice serving and returning with more accuracy, and we'll introduce forehand and backhand groundstrokes. A big focus will be learning to dink—soft shots near the net—and how to move and control the ball with more intention. We'll also go over basic footwork and how to get into a good position to hit. Drills will help players improve rally skills, and we'll end with short games or point play to apply what they’ve learned in real time.