Pickleball - Next Steps?

[Michael 61]

I have really enjoy playing pickleball in my short time here (less than a year). I took the Pickleball One class, then the five “mentored” sessions, and was told I was ready to advance to The Pickleball 2 class. I have participated in quite a few games at Beginner’s open play, and currently I play once a week with three other guys similar to my level for two hours each week.

I would rate myself as an “advanced beginner”, I get a little bit better each week, but I still have a lot of technique to learn. The Pickleball 2 class is currently only offered once-a-month, and fills very quickly, and I haven’t been able to secure a spot for months. I want to continue to be a part of my weekly 4-some, but I also want to invest more time in this sport, that I truly enjoy.

Does anyone know of someone who I could hire for private instruction (either 1:1 or small group) , that would work with me in becoming a stronger and more proficient pickleball player?

I want to make sure I am not picking up any bad habits, and need someone of a more advanced level to critique my performance.

Thank you in advance for any helpful replies.

[Altavia]

Nan Summers
(571) 867-7079

EngagePickleball Headquarters can recommend more:
4071 County Road 106
Oxford, FL 34484

Great advice, they have access to non-Villages pickleball courts and instructions.



Coach Mo Clinic
Every Monday 3-5 Pimlico (352-259-6990)
Phone registration required.
Great free beginner's clinic by Coach Mo. He is 80+ years old and an amazing winning pickleball player.

The Villages Pickleball Club (TVPB Club – We dink and dink and dink and dink (https://tvpbclub.com))
First Monday of the Monday 7-8pm
Lake Miona Rec Center
No sign up. Just walk in.
Various topics. Check the website for updates.
This club is worth joining for $25 because they have multiple clinics either free or nominal cost. They typically bring pros in once a year and it includes a shirt.

[Pugchief]

Coach Matty Klien
443-373-1988

[npwalters]

PM me. I can help. I teach beginners and advanced beginners every week.

[Topspinmo]

You can take all lessons you want but it boils down to practice and reflexes. You Been playing year and rate yourself as advanced player IMO time to step up to open play. See how you preform under pressure.

[MrChip72]

Could someone please share info on how to sign up for the Pickleball 1 class?

[Altavia]

Could someone please share info on how to sign up for the Pickleball 1 class?

https://www.districtgov.org/departments/Recreation/images/PickleballBeginnerSchedule.pdf?v=20230421

The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community (https://www.thevillages.com/life/learn-to-play-pickleball-in-the-villages)

[Altavia]

I have really enjoy playing pickleball in my short time here (less than a year). I took the Pickleball One class, then the five “mentored” sessions, and was told I was ready to advance to The Pickleball 2 class. I have participated in quite a few games at Beginner’s open play, and currently I play once a week with three other guys similar to my level for two hours each week.

I would rate myself as an “advanced beginner”, I get a little bit better each week, but I still have a lot of technique to learn. The Pickleball 2 class is currently only offered once-a-month, and fills very quickly, and I haven’t been able to secure a spot for months. I want to continue to be a part of my weekly 4-some, but I also want to invest more time in this sport, that I truly enjoy.

Does anyone know of someone who I could hire for private instruction (either 1:1 or small group) , that would work with me in becoming a stronger and more proficient pickleball player?

I want to make sure I am not picking up any bad habits, and need someone of a more advanced level to critique my performance.

Thank you in advance for any helpful replies.

Here's another:

https://www.picklepongdeb.com/

[Altavia]

You can take all lessons you want but it boils down to practice and reflexes. You Been playing year and rate yourself as advanced player IMO time to step up to open play. See how you preform under pressure.

Repetition to build muscle memory is important but there's a lot of poor play in open play.

Pickleball is a team sport. Strategy is an important aspect. Easy to get into bad habits playing with people who don't know how to play as a team.

Mentored Instruction and drills will make someone a better player faster.

[Marathon Man]

More classes will be offered going into the busy season. Once a month is the summer schedule. Keep trying for the class.

Have you gone to "adv beginner play"? You might be ready for open play. Ask a few other players where you should go to find others at your level. Players tend to collect by level at the various rec centers.

[Kelevision]

You can take all lessons you want but it boils down to practice and reflexes. You Been playing year and rate yourself as advanced player IMO time to step up to open play. See how you preform under pressure.

Actually, he rated himself as an advanced “beginner” and is looking for someone to continue learning with.

[ChiBoyR55]

Please look at the PCVG (Pickleball Community Volunteer Group) website, pickleballcommunity.com. This is the long-standing group that works with The Villages Rec Dept to offer instructional programs, clinics, leagues, rating clinics, tournaments, etc. Program offerings are increasing again now (always slows down in summer months) so you should be able to get into the classes you want. Have fun and be safe!
Jean K
PCVG Board of Directors

[Pgcacace]

I have really enjoy playing pickleball in my short time here (less than a year). I took the Pickleball One class, then the five “mentored” sessions, and was told I was ready to advance to The Pickleball 2 class. I have participated in quite a few games at Beginner’s open play, and currently I play once a week with three other guys similar to my level for two hours each week.

I would rate myself as an “advanced beginner”, I get a little bit better each week, but I still have a lot of technique to learn. The Pickleball 2 class is currently only offered once-a-month, and fills very quickly, and I haven’t been able to secure a spot for months. I want to continue to be a part of my weekly 4-some, but I also want to invest more time in this sport, that I truly enjoy.

Does anyone know of someone who I could hire for private instruction (either 1:1 or small group) , that would work with me in becoming a stronger and more proficient pickleball player?

I want to make sure I am not picking up any bad habits, and need someone of a more advanced level to critique my performance.

Thank you in advance for any helpful replies.
PCVG will starts its fall lessons on Oct 2 so there should be weekly classes instead of a month.

[llaran]

Please look at the PCVG (Pickleball Community Volunteer Group) website, pickleballcommunity.com. This is the long-standing group that works with The Villages Rec Dept to offer instructional programs, clinics, leagues, rating clinics, tournaments, etc.


Program offerings are increasing again now (always slows down in summer months) so you should be able to get into the classes you want. Have fun and be safe!
Jean K
PCVG Board of Directors

Does anyone want a copy of "the travel issue "
I don't know where I got it or why. FREE

[Rich42]

The rec centers seem to be giving away all the Pickleball times to private groups. Other than a small handful of beginner two hour sessions around the Villages, it is very difficult for a single player at the beginner/advanced beginner level to find a place to play who doesn’t feel good enuf for open play. Anyone have any suggestions please of where to play north of 466?

[JMintzer]

The rec centers seem to be giving away all the Pickleball times to private groups. Other than a small handful of beginner two hour sessions around the Villages, it is very difficult for a single player at the beginner/advanced beginner level to find a place to play who doesn’t feel good enuf for open play. Anyone have any suggestions please of where to play north of 466?

The courts near me (Burnsed Rec Center) are often empty in the afternoons/early evenings...

[Pugchief]

Go to a beginner (NOT advanced beginner) open play. When you are better than most of the other players, try out advanced beginner. If you can hold your own, play there until you are better than most and try moving up to intermediate. If at any point you move up and find that you are the worst player and can't hold your own, you're not ready for that level, so move back down to the prior level and play until you get better.

[npwalters]

Taking the Next Step is a combination of muscle memory (drills), learning where to be on the court, and what should your response be to the opponent's action (game strategy).

Unguided practice will probably not cause a person to improve. Doing the wrong thing many times just strengthens the bad habit. First you need to know what the correct action is and then practice that.


Getting quality instruction is the fastest and surest path to improvement. The PCVG offers several good courses. I teach in a group of instructors that offer two of them. We have a waiting list every week - even in the winter when they are offered weekly. BUT....that 2 hour block of instruction in a 4 person group is only a good start. Getting private instruction over a several concurrent weeks is a much better plan of action.

[CitFly]

Continue taking the classes and repeat the Non valley zone, full court and strategies with instructors so you’ll learn new things and stop bad habits. Note that in 10 days these three free advance classes are offered every week.
Every rec center should have the October schedule out now.

[Topspinmo]

Repetition to build muscle memory is important but there's a lot of poor play in open play.

Pickleball is a team sport. Strategy is an important aspect. Easy to get into bad habits playing with people who don't know how to play as a team.

Mentored Instruction and drills will make someone a better player faster.


But still have play with open players eventually. Too bad all don’t have that in mind I wouldn’t have to weight to get my exercise.

[Topspinmo]

The rec centers seem to be giving away all the Pickleball times to private groups. Other than a small handful of beginner two hour sessions around the Villages, it is very difficult for a single player at the beginner/advanced beginner level to find a place to play who doesn’t feel good enuf for open play. Anyone have any suggestions please of where to play north of 466?

Mulberry south side. If you want to play advance beginner times you have to travel to different rec centers (look in rec center guide for times). Most all rec enter courts (6 or more) have times 10 to noon for beginner and advance beginner and some in afternoons. What I had to do for couple months or so till I got fundaments down. Courts are open play ever day of week from 8 (sunrise?) to 10 AM. Which means players can’t hog courts, they have to fall in line to like everyone. Some places some players think they are special and try to HOG courts during open play times.

[Rosethorn]

Thank you so much for posting this information. I am new to The Villages and looking forward to starting up Pickleball lessons.

Many years ago, I enjoyed tennis and played regularly, and I’m hoping now, in my 60s, I can learn pickle ball with relative ease.

I have been poring over the schedule of events at The Villages website, and it is a maze of information for a neophyte like me.

Thank you again!

[Rosethorn]

PM me. I can help. I teach beginners and advanced beginners every week.

This comment is five months old. Is this still accurate?

I’d love to hear more!

[Topspinmo]

Unless it PCVG (Pickleball Community Volunteer Group) expect fee for private lessons.

[npwalters]

[QUOTE=Topspinmo;2289045]Unless it PCVG (Pickleball Community Volunteer Group) expect fee for private lessons.[/QUO

You are correct, of course. There are no private lessons taught by PCVG. We do teach some excellent lessons - usually to groups of 4. Drill and play groups will often be 2 instructors and 24 players.

[npwalters]

This comment is five months old. Is this still accurate?

I’d love to hear more!

I sent a PM.