Beginner training plan
Your first lessonLESSON 1: Foundations & First Rally
Goal: Get comfortable hitting the ball and understanding basic rules.
Focus Skills
Grip (continental / handshake grip)
Ready position & basic footwork
Forehand groundstroke
Simple rallying
Key Concepts
What pickleball is (quick overview)
Court layout + kitchen (non-volley zone)
Double bounce rule
Drills
Paddle taps (control, warm-up)
Self-drop → forehand hit
Partner rally (bounce only)
Mini Game
Rally: “How many hits in a row?”
Confidence Outcome
🌟 “I can hit the ball consistently and keep a rally going.”
Lesson 2-3LESSON 2: Backhand & Serving Basics
Goal: Introduce backhand and get them serving legally.
Focus Skills
Backhand groundstroke
Underhand serve (proper motion)
Return of serve (deep return)
Key Concepts
Serving rules (underhand, below waist)
Score calling basics (just intro, don’t overwhelm)
Drills
Forehand ↔ backhand alternating feeds
Serve practice (target zones)
Return deep to baseline
Mini Game
Serve + return only (no rally continuation)
Confidence Outcome
💪🏼 “I can start a point and return a serve.”
LESSON 3: The Net Game (Dinking)
Goal: Introduce soft game and control at the kitchen.
Focus Skills
Dink (forehand & backhand)
Moving safely into the kitchen line
Control vs power
Key Concepts
Why soft game wins points
Kitchen rules (no volleys inside)
Drills
Crosscourt dinking
Straight-on dinking
Step-in transition drill
Mini Game
Dink-only game (first to 5 points)
Confidence Outcome
🥅 “I can play at the net without panicking.”
What you need to bringWater
Towel
Extra shirt
Eagerness to learn the sport
