We’ve talked about pickleball as a “user-friendly” sport. It’s even EASIER TO GET STARTED! There is a sundry of learning opportunities available. Many people are introduced to pickleball by friends who already play. Let your pickleball playing friends know you want to learn to play. If you already play then look for opportunities to share your love for the game with your friends. You can click on the internet for pickleball programs/groups in your area or nearby. Most pickleball clubs/groups provide free beginning instruction including loaner paddles and balls. The USAPA (United States of America Pickleball Association) website has a complete list of pickleball venues for your consideration. Pickleball is growing so rapidly that many local Parks and Recreation Departments are providing classes for beginners, and in some cases, intermediate and advanced players. There is, also, a growing number of well-qualified pickleball instructors who charge a fee for private instruction. At the risk of leaving a few names out I will simply say that the local programs will have names for you to consider. Informal instruction by friends, pickleball club programs, and even internet programs will help introduce you to pickleball. They will provide you with a framework for getting started and learning the essential elements and components of pickleball. However, you need to seek formal instruction as soon as you can to ensure you are using the right techniques enabling you to reinforce them during your play and practice rather than reinforcing bad and incorrect habits and techniques and making them even worse. There are many opportunities to attend clinics put on by established players and instructors. Because of the group nature of clinics costs are usually less than private instruction. With all that being said, there is no substitution for quality private instruction.
In SUMMARY, if you are “GETTING STARTED,” I recommend the following time-line:
- Get beginning instruction from a local pickleball club/group.
- Begin playing and take time to watch players of all levels at your “club/group”.
- Check the internet for all pickleball related instructional opportunities.
- Attend clinics provided by successful players/instructors.
- Find qualified and recommended private instruction.
- Following #1 above, “it’s time to GET A PADDLE!”