Beginner training plan
Your first lessonIn our first session, we’ll focus on the absolute basics so you can step on the court with confidence. We’ll go over pickleball rules, court layout, and equipment (paddles, balls, and proper footwear). You’ll learn how to hold the paddle (continental grip), proper ready position, and basic footwork. We’ll cover serving and returning fundamentals, explain the double-bounce rule, and introduce the non-volley zone (“kitchen”). By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to rally with a partner at a slow pace and understand the flow of a casual game.
Lesson 2-3Over the next few lessons, we’ll build on your fundamentals:
• Lesson 2: Forehand & backhand groundstrokes, improving serve consistency, and practicing returns with depth.
• Lesson 3: Dinking technique, controlling pace, and learning when to approach the net.
• Lesson 4: Volleys and block volleys, transition zone footwork, and positioning with a partner.
We’ll also start playing short, controlled games to apply skills in real situations.
Lesson 4-10Once your basics are solid, we’ll move into more advanced play concepts:
• Lesson 5–6: Third shot drops vs. drives and when to use each.
• Lesson 7–8: Lobs, overhead smashes, and defending against them.
• Lesson 9–10: Offensive and defensive positioning, shot selection under pressure, and teamwork communication.
You’ll start playing full games, with targeted feedback between points to improve decision-making and consistency.
Lesson 11+At this stage, lessons are personalized to your goals. We’ll focus on refining technique, improving mental toughness, and developing winning strategies. We may include:
• Advanced dinking patterns and speed-ups.
• Reading opponents’ tendencies.
• Tournament preparation and competitive drills.
• Conditioning and footwork for quicker reactions.
You’ll be playing at a pace that challenges you, with drills designed to simulate real match pressure.
