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Pickleball

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Pickleball Programs-
Indoors at Malta Community Center
 
Pickleball programs will have 18 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
Provide your own paddles.
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.

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 Clinics

Clinics are 90 minutes long, 60 minutes of instruction followed by 30 minutes of play utilizing the skills you learned.
 
Pickleball 101
Learn 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, basic footwork and stroke mechanics, serving, and returning.
(Beginners with no experience)
 
Pickleball 102
This class will take Pickleball 101 one more step. Participants will continue to work on their 101 skills. In addition, you will learn basic court skill;  shot placement, moving with your doubles partner, and when to move up to the NVZ (no volley zone) or kitchen line.
Prerequisite: Pickleball 101
 
Pickleball Groundstrokes 101  
This clinic will focus on improving stroke mechanics. You’ll learn how to receive the ball for a more consistent and accurate forehand and backhand stroke.
Prerequisite: Pickleball 101 and 102 or already play and fully understand the game
 
The Third Shot 101
Learn one of the most important shots in pickleball to help the serving  team get to the net and win more points. 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 101
You served, they returned service, and your third shot brought you and your partner up to the NVZ. You’ve neutralized play and the dink rally begins. This class will teach you dinking footwork, dinking control, strokes and strategies. 
Prerequisite: Pickleball 101, 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 and win more points.
Prerequisite: Pickleball 101 and 102 or already play and fully understand the game
 
Lob retrieval and overhead smash
Learn how to safely retrieve a lob or hit an overhead smash without running backwards.
Prerequisite: Pickleball 101 and 102 or already play and fully understand 
 
New! KEEP THEM BACK! Improve your forehand, backhand, punch volley and blocking shot at the net.
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. You will concentrate on learning and practicing 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, improve anticipation, construct points, exploit their opponents weakness, and stay mentally tough.
 
Skills and Drills: The Short Game
This class is for the experienced players with good fundamental strokes and full knowledge of the game. The focus will be on dinking, the third shot drop, blocking, and working you way up to the net. Participants will participate in drills and drill game play.
Prerequisite: Pickleball 101 and 102 or already play and fully understand the game.
 
Skills and Drills: The Long Game
This class is for the experienced players with good fundamentals and full knowledge of the game. The focus will be on improving the serve, return of service, forehands and backhands and lobs. Participants will participate in  drills and drill games. 
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.

18 per session        3 courts

* Adjustments and discounts will be applied during checkout if applicable. *

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