In the first lesson, I would focus on introducing the basic rules and court layout of pickleball, ensuring students understand the boundaries and scoring. We’d start with simple drills to practice proper grip and paddle control, followed by light rallying to develop a feel for the ball and basic strokes. The goal is to build confidence and have fun while learning the game’s foundation.
In Lessons 11+, the focus shifts to advanced strategies and refining gameplay. We’d work on advanced court positioning, quick transitions between offense and defense, and strategic shot selection based on opponents’ weaknesses. Lessons would also cover the mental aspects of the game, including anticipation and managing pressure. Students would learn advanced doubles strategies like stacking and poaching, enhancing team coordination. Full-game simulations with coaching feedback would help apply all skills, focusing on decision-making and fine-tuning gameplay for competitive play.
In Lessons 4-10, we’d build on foundational skills, introducing volleys, lobs, and ball control at the net. Serving accuracy and strategic returns would be emphasized, followed by the third shot drop to transition from defense to offense. As students progress, we’d focus on doubles positioning, communication, and defensive techniques like blocking and resetting the point. Advanced shot techniques, such as spins and slice, would be introduced for variety. The final lesson would involve a comprehensive review of all skills, concluding with competitive matches to apply strategies in real gameplay.
In Lessons 2 and 3, we’d refine basic strokes like the forehand, backhand, and serve, while introducing footwork and positioning to improve movement on the court. Players would practice short rallies, focusing on consistency and accuracy. We’d also begin working on net play, with an emphasis on dinking and controlling the ball during volleys. By the end, students would engage in structured gameplay to apply these skills and build foundational strategies for doubles play.