Introduction (5 min)
Briefly explain: What is pickleball?
Talk about the court layout: kitchen (non-volley zone), baseline, service area.
Show the paddle and ball, explain their purpose.
2. Grip and Ready Position (5 min)
Teach the "shake hands" grip (continental grip).
Demonstrate proper ready position: knees slightly bent, paddle up, feet shoulder-width apart.
3. Basic Rules (10 min)
Serving: underhand, cross-court, behind the baseline.
Scoring: only the serving team scores; games go to 11.
Double bounce rule: ball must bounce once on each side before volleys.
No-volley zone (kitchen): cannot volley inside it.
4. Basic Drills (15–20 min)
Drop and hit: Players drop the ball and hit it over the net to a partner.
Mini-rally: From the kitchen line, players rally with control and bounce.
Serve practice: Practice underhand serves cross-court.
5. Play a Short Game or Rally (10 min)
Pair up and play simple points.
Focus on correct serving, keeping score, and observing the double bounce rule.
6. Wrap-up and Q&A (5 min)
Recap main points: grip, ready position, serve, kitchen rules.
Encourage practice and improvement.
1. Warm-up & Review (10 min)
Light rally with a focus on spin and ball control.
Recap key skills from previous lessons.
2. Introduction to Spin (15 min)
Explain the basics of topspin (ball curves forward) and backspin (ball stays low).
Teach the mechanics of how to apply spin, focusing on paddle angle and ball contact point.
Drill: Practice hitting forehands and backhands with topspin and backspin.
3. Controlling the Ball (15 min)
Teach how to control depth, height, and speed with spin to force errors from opponents.
Drill: Practice hitting controlled shots to specific spots on the court.
4. Using Spin in Different Scenarios (10 min)
Discuss when to use topspin (to push opponents back) and backspin (to keep the ball low and slow).
Drill: Practice using spin during rallies and dinking.
5. Play with Emphasis on Spin (10 min)
Play a game where players try to incorporate spin into their shots.
6. Wrap-up and Q&A (5 min)
Review the mechanics and strategic use of spin.
Warm-up & Review (10 min)
Light rally, focusing on volleys and court positioning.
Quick recap of previous lessons: dinking, partner play, and serve/return.
2. Advanced Volley Techniques (15 min)
Teach the power volley (for aggressive shots) and the placement volley (for softer shots).
Emphasize staying low to the ground, quick reaction time, and paddle angle for placement.
Drill: Players work in pairs, practicing both power and placement volleys at the net.
3. Net Play Tactics (15 min)
Teach the importance of approaching the net after a strong shot or a deep serve return.
Discuss the transition game: how to move from the baseline to the net.
Drill: Practice transitioning from baseline to net, using volleys to finish points.
4. Playing Against Aggressive Net Players (10 min)
Teach how to deal with opponents who play aggressively at the net (e.g., using deep lobs or quick dinks to reset the point).
Drill: Pair players up and practice lobbing over an aggressive net player.
5. Game Play with Emphasis on Net Play (10 min)
Play a short game focused on approaching the net and using volleys effectively.
6. Wrap-up and Q&A (5 min)
Review key concepts: advanced volleys, net play, transitioning to the net.
1. Warm-up & Review (10 min)
Light rallying with partners.
Brief recap of the previous lesson: basic rules, serving, and positioning.
2. Groundstrokes: Forehand & Backhand (15–20 min)
Forehand:
Demonstrate proper stance, grip, and swing.
Have players practice forehands in pairs, emphasizing smooth, controlled shots.
Backhand:
Teach a two-handed backhand grip (if needed) and proper footwork.
Practice backhand shots using the same principles as forehands.
Drill: Have players rally with forehands and backhands, alternating between strokes.
3. Court Positioning and Movement (10–15 min)
Court positioning: Explain and demonstrate how players should move into the non-volley zone (kitchen) after the serve, and how to position themselves at the baseline or net depending on the situation.
Drill: Practice moving to the non-volley zone after hitting the serve, then moving back as the rally progresses.
4. Basic Volley Technique (10 min)
Teach the concept of volleys—hitting the ball before it bounces—while staying outside the kitchen.
Demonstrate the "soft hands" technique to control the ball on volleys.
Drill: Players practice short volleys in pairs, focusing on control.
5. Play a Game with Simple Rules (5–10 min)
Play a short game with a focus on rallying using groundstrokes and volleys.
Emphasize court positioning and proper movement.
6. Wrap-up and Q&A (5 min)
Recap key skills: forehand, backhand, volleys, movement.
Encourage players to focus on control during rallies and positioning.