At 8:00 am, one week before each session begins, players who qualify will be able to signup on Court Reserve. 

Unfortunately, we have more players than we have slots for each session. If you have participated in two sessions, please wait 48 hours before signing up for the next one, so that others have an opportunity to take part.

Please consider the following before registering:

1.           Sign up only if you are serious about participating. Holding a spot until a day or two before the session isn’t fair to those who must go on the waitlist.
2.           If someone cancels, the name at the top of the waitlist will be added to the session roster. An email will be sent to that participant letting them know they are now registered. 
3.           Please delete your name from the waitlist if you find you can’t participate in the session.
4.       Try to be at the courts 15 minutes before your session begins. 

Skills & Strategies Session Descriptors

2.0/2.5

Lesson 1 – Paddle Skill Development, Safety Review
Learn essential paddle skills that are transferable to all aspects of the game of pickleball. There will be an opportunity to learn proper footwork, ready position, body stance, grip pressure, paddle placement, ball tracking, wrist stability, backhand, etc. For many players this is the beginning of a new season of play which makes it a good time to briefly review key elements of pickleball safety.

Lesson 2 – Serve and Return
Introduction to standard and drop serve techniques as well as a focus on what is often said to be one of the most important shots of the game, the serve RETURN! As well, there will be a discussion of key strategies for effective serves and returns. Learn drills to practice for ongoing improvement.

Lesson 3 – 3^rd and 4^th Shots
Once the serve and return have been mastered, important decision making regarding your next “move” takes place! This session will focus on the 3^rd & 4^th shots! Drop or drive? Ball placement? Partner position? So much to think about! Let us help you with the basics!

Lesson 4 – Transition Skills
Getting to the non volley zone successfully is critical to having the court advantage. Learning some basic techniques such as split step, volleying and resetting can help you make this happen! There are some fun drilling games focusing on the development of these skills!

Lesson 5 – Team Play
Unless you plan to play only singles, learning how to work as a team on the court is a major component of pickleball. What are the basic elements of partner play that need to become “automatic” when you play? What are important messages that you want to share with your partner during the game? Tethering, covering the line, responsibility for the middle and verbal cues are just the beginning of a successful partnership.

Lesson 6 – In play coaching
Now’s your opportunity to integrate everything you’ve learned this season and get feedback during this game play format event!

3.0

Lesson 1 – Paddle Skill Review & Intermediate Serve/Return
At the beginning of the season it is always important to review the “basics” so a short portion of this session will review essential paddle skills transferable to all aspects of the game. Much of the session will provide players with the opportunity to “up” their serve and return skills! Through games and drills, we will use “targets” to fine tune our serve to improve consistency and variety. (backhand, forehand, lob serve). Probably the most underrated shot in pickleball is the SERVE RETURN! It’s the first step to gaining the court advantage! We will use drills and games to intensify the impact of this shot on the opponent.

Lesson 2 – 3rd Shot and 4^th Shot
3^rd and 4^th shot decision making is critical as players advance. However, making the correct shot choice is wasted if the player doesn’t have the skill to execute the shot accurately! First, we will address shot selection
and target location as well as your partner’s role in the shot! Believe it or not they also have an important role to play in the proper execution of these shots! Then, using drills and games, we will practice using our skills to successfully execute the strategies!

Lesson 3 – Transition Skills
The ability to “get through the transition zone” is probably the most critical, as well as most difficult, skill to master in pickleball! Your weekly practice must focus on this component of the game if you wish to advance to higher levels of pickleball. The session will address ways to develop your volleying, blocking and resetting skills through a range of suggestions for technique improvement.

Lesson 4 – Success at the Non-Volley Zone
Now that you have gained the advantage by getting to the non volley zone, how do you win the point? It’s time to talk about “soft game” skills and strategies! Learn fun games and drills that will strengthen your dinking skills and reinforce successful strategies at the net.

Lesson 5 – Team Play
Very few players consider how their decisions on the court regarding ball placement can take advantage of their partner’s position creating problems for the opponents. Do you know what your role is, while your
partner is dealing with the ball? Where your partner hits the ball tells you which area of the court you are responsible for! What information should you share with your partner during a point that can help them? Attend the session to widen your horizons regarding partner play!

Lesson 6 – In Play Coaching
Now’s your opportunity to integrate everything you’ve learned so far this year! During the first part of game play coaches will focus on the player’s transition skills and team play. They will provide feedback to participants regarding skills and strategies in these two areas. Players will have an opportunity to ask the
coaches to watch for specific skills/strategies during the last half of the session.

3.5

Lesson 1 – Serve and Return
Why does serving matter besides just getting it into the court? Let’s talk about getting power on the serve, varying serves, serving targets and strategies. And what about the return? Where should we target the return (and why?) How do we adjust our targets and returns based on our abilities and those of our
opponents?

Lesson 2 – 3rd Shot Options
Let’s talk about 3rd shot options and decisions. Let’s talk about when and where should we drop, drip or drive? And where should we target those shots? We’ll talk about the pros and cons of each choice and why we might use one shot over the other depending on the situation or who our opponent is?

Lesson 3 – 4^th Shot and Transition
Let’s talk about the 4th shot. How do we make decisions about what type of shot we should hit (volley, ground stroke, dink). Let’s work on how to keep our advantage and make it hard for the serving team to get in. On the flipside, we’ll talk about transition and what are the different strategies for the serving team to gain the NVZ line.

Lesson 4 – Dinking and Speedups
While the game seems to be getting ever faster, there is still a role for dinking. Let’s talk about the goal of dinking, how to use dinking to set up the advantage you’re seeking. We’ll talk about speed-ups decisions, targets and being ready for the ball coming back!

Lesson 5 – Team Play and Stacking
Very few players consider how their decisions on the court regarding ball placement can take advantage of their partner’s position creating problems for the opponents. Do you know what your role is, while your
partner is dealing with the ball? Where your partner hits the ball tells you which area of the court you are responsible for! What information should you share with your partner during a point that can help them? Attend the session to widen your horizons regarding partner play! Additionally, a high-level overview of stacking will be shared.

Lesson 6 – In Play Coaching
Now’s your opportunity to integrate everything you’ve learned so far this year! During the first part of game play coaches will focus on the player’s transition skills and team play. They will provide feedback to participants regarding skills and strategies in these two areas. Players will have an opportunity to ask the coaches to watch for specific skills/strategies during the last half of the session.

4.0

Lesson 1 – All Things Transition

Lesson 2 – 3rd Shot Options

Lesson 3 – Volleys and 4th Shot

 Skills and Strategy Schedule 2025