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Pickleball Programs-
Indoors at Malta Community Center
 
Pickleball programs will have 16 players on three courts.  Courts are open for two hours where you can play with others of like ability.
No Formal Instruction  
 
Must Pre register for entire program   NO DROP INS

Masks must be worn for the entire program. 

Provide your own paddles.

Complete a covid-19 health assessment each session day
 
COVID-19 Procedures
Check in at front desk and complete covid-19 health assessment. (see below)

Wear an acceptable mask during play and when not playing. 

Acceptable face coverings include, but are not limited to, cloth (e.g., homemade sewn, quick cut), surgical masks, and N95 respirators that are appropriate for exercise. Bandanas, buffs, and gaiters are not acceptable face coverings for pickleball.
 
How the Program Works
All games played will be doubles games

There is no assignment to a court based on skill level (see guidelines for player’s skill level below)

If courts are occupied, place your paddle in a single-file line along the wall (this will determine your spot in line) Paddles should be lined up against the wall to determines the next group to play.

Games are played to 11 points

Once your game has finished, place your paddle at the end of the line
 
Skill Levels Definitions based on the USAPA
Beginners
Minimum Skills Needed
This player is just starting to play pickleball and has no other sports background. Minimal understanding of rules of the game.
Beginners/Intermediate
Minimum Skills Needed:
USAPA 2.5 PLAYER SKILL RATING DEFINITION
This player has limited experience. Can sustain a short rally with players of equal ability. Basic ability to keep score.
Intermediate
Minimum Skills Needed:
USAPA 3.5 PLAYER SKILL RATING DEFINTION
FOREHAND:
Improved stroke development with moderate level of shot control.
BACKHAND:
Learning stroke form and starting to develop consistency but will avoid if possible.
SERVE / RETURN:
Consistently gets serve/return in play with limited ability to control depth.
DINK:
Increased consistency, with limited ability to control height/depth. Sustains medium length rallies. Starting to understand variations of pace.
3RD SHOT:
Developing the drop shot in a way to get to the net.
VOLLEY:
Is able to volley medium paced shots thereby developing control.
STRATEGY:
Moves quickly towards the non-volley zone (NVZ) when opportunity is there. Acknowledges difference between hard game and soft game and is starting to vary own game during recreation and tournament play. Can sustain short rallies. Is learning proper court positioning. Basic knowledge of stacking and understands situations where it can be effective.
COVID-19 Health Assessment:
Has the participant:


  • Knowingly been in close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19

  • Tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days; and/or

  • Experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days; and/or

  • Awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test and/or

  • Traveled to or hosted anyone from any State on the NYS Restricted State list in the past 14 days


 
Outdoor Clinics held at Malta Community Park, 285 Plains Rd, Malta 
Clinics are 90 minutes long, 60 minutes of instruction followed by 30 minutes of play utilizing the skills you learned. Dates vary and are emailed monthly.


Instructors:  Gina Family, IPTPA Level 1 Certified Pickleball Instructor and Ed Koivula Level 1 Certified Pickleball Instructor


More about Gina and Ed 

Gina Family has been playing and studying the game of pickleball for several years. She is a Level 1 certified instructor by the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association. Gina enjoys assisting and motivating individuals to learn and  improve their skills, discover new techniques and strategies, and achieve their goals in pickleball. Gina has also been a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor for over 30 years. 



Ed Koivula has been playing competitive tennis since 1990 and playing pickleball for seven years.  He is a Level 1 certified pickleball instructor by Pickleball Coaching International.  He is a 4.5 player that has medaled in tournaments at the local, state and international level. Ed enjoys working with players to improve fundamentals and use them to execute tactics and strategies.  Ed taught tennis as a United States Professional Tennis Registry certified tennis instructor and is currently a NYS certified public High School coach.


Pickleball 101: 
Come and learn the fun sport of Pickleball. It is the fastest growing sport in North America. This class will give you the skills necessary to get started playing doubles Pickleball. You’ll learn the basic game overview, how to keep score, serving,  and returning the ball.  Instructor has paddles to borrow.
(Beginners with no experience)

Pickleball 102: 
This class will take Pickleball 101 one more step. Participants will continue to work on their serve and return of service. In addition, you will learn basic court skill;  including shot placement, moving with your doubles partner, and when to move up to the NVZ or kitchen line. Instructor has paddles to borrow.
Prerequisite: Pickleball 101


The Third Shot: 
Learn how the serving team can get to the net more effectively and neutralize play. This class will give you the skills to execute a third shot drive, lob or drop shot. 
Prerequisite: Pickleball 101 and 102 or already play and fully understand the game


Dinking: 
Learn how to control the court and have a blast doing it. You served, they returned service, you returned a great  third shot and made it to the kitchen line (NVZ). Now is the time for the dinking dance. This class will teach you how to dink, control your dink shots, and basic dinking footwork.
Prerequisite: Pickleball 101, 102, or already play and fully understand the game 

Groundstrokes: 
This class is for those with some experience playing and full knowledge of the rules of game play. The focus will be on improving the return of service. You’ll learn the basic steps of the forehand and backhand stroke.
Prerequisite: Pickleball 101 and 102 or already play and fully understand the game


Why a deep serve and return of serve are a MUST!
When you hit a short serve you’re giving a big advantage to your opponent by helping them get to the NVZ in a jiffy. When you send  back a short return of serve you’re also giving a big advantage to your opponent by inviting them to the NVZ. Learn how to strategically use the first two shots in pickleball to your advantage.
Prerequisite: Pickleball 101 and 102 or already play and fully understand the game

Lob retrieval and overhead smash
How to decide when to retrieve a lob or smash it. Learn how to safely turn your body to retrieve
Prerequisite: Pickleball 101 and 102 or already play and fully understand the game lob and how to correctly execute an overhead smash.


Forehand, Backhand and Blocking
This class is for experienced players with full knowledge of the rules of game play. The focus will be on improving the return of service by improving your stroke mechanics for your forehand and backhand.  You’ll also learn the blocking shot at the net to keep your opponents back.
Prerequisite: Pickleball 101 and 102 or already play and fully understand the game
 
Pickleball Strategy and Court Coverage
This clinic is for experienced players looking to take a new step. We will concentrate on the mental part of the game. Mental toughness and patience are essential skills on the pickleball court. Players will learn how to:


  •  Move with their partner to cover the court 

  •  Improve anticipation 

  •  Eliminate, create and use angles 

  •  Construct points

  •  Identify and exploit opponent weaknesses

  •  How to stay mentally tough and reset after each point



Work-Play Classes:
These classes are for the players that have acquired the basic skills and are looking to improve upon them and incorporate them more into their game play.
Dates and skill sets that will be worked on vary and are emailed out monthly.
      - First half of the class is work (mostly drills) pertinent to the skill set that is being 
         worked on.
      - Second half of the class is game play, rotating partners, to provide an opportunity 
         to carry your work into actual play.  The emphasis during play will be on the skill
         worked on in the first half of class.

Skills and Drills
The Long Game
This class is for the experienced players with good fundamentals and full knowledge of the rules of game play. The focus will be on improving the serve, return of service, forehands and backhands and lobs. Participants will participate in  drills and some game play. You will need a paddle, court shoes, water and a lot of energy. Prerequisite: Pickleball 101 and 102 or already play and fully understand the game.

Skills and Drills 
The Short Game
This class is for the experienced players with good fundamental strokes and full knowledge of the rules of game play. The focus will be on dinking, the third shot drop, blocking, and working you way up to capture the net. Participants will participate in drills and some game play.  You will need a paddle, court shoes, water and a lot of energy. Prerequisite: Pickleball 101 and 102 or already play and fully understand the game.


Three and Me Lesson                                        $25 PER PERSON/ HOUR


The three and me lesson allows the teaching professional to play along in games with students allowing immediate feedback on shot selection, strategic decisions and court positioning. This is a very effective learning environment for all levels of players when working on doubles strategy and tactics. In addition, time will be dedicated to improving existing shots and developing new ones.  Content of the lesson will be developed collaboratively between coach and students. Three students are needed to run the lesson, so grab your friends and schedule a date with the community center.
Ed Koivula, Pickleball Coach


  • Reservations to be made directly Malta Community Center

  • Coach Ed will contact you to determine a time

  • 24 hour notice required to cancel lessons


Private Lessons Available
1-2 people $60 hour
3 people $66 hour

Scheduled on request call the office and ask for Mary to book a lesson.  

Novice Pickleball Mini Program
Do you want to join a pickleball program but not sure if you are ready?  Do you know the basics of pickleball?  Join us for a new program that will let players who are just learning the sport get comfortable enough to join in a free play program.

This 4-week session is to get the new players acquainted with how free play works and to work on basic skills with player who have very little experience. Participants must have taken Pickleball 101 or 102. (or similar experience) There is no formal instruction just instructional reminders on how to Serve, Volley, Double-Bounce Rule, Scoring, Player Position for Doubles, Doubles Play Positioning Movements.

A mask must be worn

16 per session        3 courts

Register Activity Ages Grades Days Date/Time Fees
 
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Pickleball 102 
N/A  N/A  M  04/26/2021
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Malta Community Center - Gym 		$16.00 Res, $18.00 Non-Res
0 seat(s) available
Class is held inside the Malta Community Center- Mask Must Be Worn
 
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The Third Shot 
N/A  N/A  M  05/03/2021
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Malta Community Center - Gym 		$16.00 Res, $18.00 Non-Res
0 seat(s) available
Class is held inside the Malta Community Center- Mask Must Be Worn
 
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Pickleball 101 
F3-2020 		18 and up  N/A  W  05/05/2021
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Malta Community Park 		$16.00 Res, $18.00 Non-Res
0 seat(s) available
 
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Why a Deep Serve and Return of Serve are a Must 
F3-2020 		18 and up  N/A  W  05/12/2021
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Malta Community Park 		$16.00 Res, $18.00 Non-Res
9 seat(s) available
 
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Pickleball 102 
F3-2020 		18 and up  N/A  W  05/19/2021
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Malta Community Park 		$16.00 Res, $18.00 Non-Res
9 seat(s) available
 
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Keep Them Back 
F3-2020 		18 and up  N/A  W  05/26/2021
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Malta Community Park 		$16.00 Res, $18.00 Non-Res
7 seat(s) available
Clinic is held at the Malta Community Park 285 Plains Road
 
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The Third Shot 
F3-2020 		18 and up  N/A  W  06/02/2021
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Malta Community Park 		$16.00 Res, $18.00 Non-Res
9 seat(s) available
Clinic is held at the Malta Community Park 285 Plains Road
 
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Pickleball 101 
F3-2020 		18 and up  N/A  W  06/09/2021
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Malta Community Park 		$16.00 Res, $18.00 Non-Res
10 seat(s) available
 
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Skills and Drills: The Short Game 
F3-2020 		18 and up  N/A  W  06/16/2021
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Malta Community Park 		$16.00 Res, $18.00 Non-Res
6 seat(s) available
Clinic is held at the Malta Community Park 285 Plains Road
 
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Pickleball Program- Nights Wed Beginners 
N/A  N/A  W  04/07/2021 - 05/26/2021
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Malta Community Center - Gym 		$27.00 Res, $34.00 Non-Res
0 seat(s) available
 
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Pickleball Program- Tues Beginners 
N/A  N/A  Tu  04/06/2021 - 05/25/2021
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Malta Community Center - Gym 		$27.00 Res, $34.00 Non-Res
0 seat(s) available
 
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Pickleball Program Friday Intermediate 11-1 
N/A  N/A  F  04/09/2021 - 05/28/2021
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Malta Community Center - Gym 		$27.00 Res, $34.00 Non-Res
3 seat(s) available
 
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Pickleball Program Thurs Beg/Int 
N/A  N/A  Th  04/08/2021 - 05/27/2021
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Malta Community Center - Gym 		$27.00 Res, $34.00 Non-Res
0 seat(s) available
 
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Private Lesson - PatS 
W523-2019 		N/A  N/A  W  04/21/2021
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Malta Community Center - Gym 		$30.00 Res, $30.00 Non-Res
1 seat(s) available
 
  Registration Unavailable
View Registration Eligibility
Pickleball Program Tuesday Beg/Int 
N/A  N/A  Tu  06/08/2021 - 07/27/2021
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Malta Community Center - Gym 		$27.00 Res, $34.00 Non-Res
16 seat(s) available
 
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Novice Pickleball Mini Program 
16 and up  N/A  F  05/07/2021 - 06/04/2021
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Malta Community Center - Gym 		$17.00 Res, $19.00 Non-Res
8 seat(s) available
* Adjustments and discounts will be applied during checkout if applicable. *

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