Pickleball

Agenda

Check in, change | 5 minutes
FST Movement Prep | 5 minutes - in gym FST, on court dynamics
Lesson | 20 minutes
- Skills: serve, drop shot, lob shot, dink, third shot drop, speed up, drive, attack
- Strategy: create open space, vary shot selection, vary power/force, court location/awareness
Wrap up and change | 5 minutes

Unit Objectives

Lifetime Activities 1.4. L2. Demonstrates proficiency and/or refines activity-specific movement skills in one or more lifetime activities.
Strategies and Tactics 2.2. L1. Demonstrates competency of strategies and tactics in a variety of physical activities.
Social awareness and relationship skills 4.2. L1. Applies the qualities of civility and citizenship in physical activity settings.
Challenge 5.2. L1. Selects and participates in physical activities that provide an appropriate level of challenge.

Essential Questions

What are the basic shots you need to be successful in pickleball?
What's a strategy you can use in doubles to put pressure on your opponent?
What qualities do you want to see out of your partner?
What qualities do you want to see out of your opponent?

Movement Prep

2 SETS OF 10 FOR EACH MOVEMENT
COMPLETE WITH A PARTNER OR GROUP

Workout 1: Squat Pattern + Upper Body Pull + Core

Squats
Superman Pulls
Crunches

Workout 2: Hip Hinge + Upper Body Push + Core

Romanian Deadlift (RDL)
Push-ups
Side Plank

Workout 3: Lunge Pattern + Upper Body Push + Core

Forward Lunges
Push-ups
Bicycle Crunches

Pickleball Rules

1. Objective: Score points by hitting the ball over the net so the opponent can’t return it.

2. Court Setup: 20x44-foot court with a net in the middle and two service boxes on each side. No-volley-zone line 7 feet away from the net on both sides.

3. Serving: Serve underhand, below the waist, and diagonally. Only one serve attempt, except if it touches the net and lands in the correct box ("let"/redo)

4. Rotation in Doubles:

- The first server starts from the right side.

- After each point, the server switches sides.

- The second teammate serves after the first loses their serve, starting from whatever side they're on.

- When both teammates lose their serve, a "side-out" occurs and the opposing team serves.

5. Serve and Return Double Bounce Serve Rule: After the serve, both sides must let the ball bounce once on their side before hitting it.

6. No-Volley Zone (Kitchen): No volleys allowed in front of the 7-foot line near the net. A foot on the line counts as being in the no-volley zone. Your momentum may not carry you into the no-volley zone after hitting the ball.

7. Scoring: Only the serving team can score. Games are played to 11 and teams must win by 2 points.

8. Faults: Occur when the ball goes out, volleys happen in the no-volley zone, or a shot isn’t returned successfully.

Pickleball Cues

Serve

“Set and balance” – Start with feet shoulder-width, stable stance (neutral or open).
“Drop and swing” – Drop the ball smoothly, don’t toss.
“Low to high” – Swing upward under the ball for clean contact.
“Finish forward” – Follow through toward your target

Drop

“See it early” – Read the ball and prepare before it bounces.
“Smooth swing” – Use a slow, controlled motion (no big hit).
“Lift and guide” – Brush under the ball to add loft and control.
“Drop into the kitchen” – Aim to land soft just past the net.

Dink

“Stay low” – Bend knees and keep paddle below the net.
“Soft hands” – Relax grip to absorb the ball’s energy.
“Push through, pendulum motion” – Use a gentle forward motion, not a big swing.
“Land short” – Aim just over the net into the kitchen.

Forehand Drive

"Load the legs" – Bend knees slightly and shift weight to the back foot.
"Turn the hips" – Rotate your torso as you prepare to swing.
"Lead with the shoulder" – Let your front shoulder guide the swing path.
"Snap the wrist" – Finish with a controlled flick for speed and spin.

Overhead Attack

“Turn and track” – Pivot early and follow the lob.
“Point up” – Use your non-hitting hand to spot the ball.
“Reach high” – Make contact at full extension in front like a hive five.
“Snap down” – Drive the ball down with control.

Pickleball Strategy

Control the NVZ Line – Stay near the non-volley zone to dominate the net and cut off your opponent’s angles.
Use the Third Shot Drop – A well-placed drop shot from the serving team that lands in the no-volley-zone neutralizes your opponent’s advantage and sets you up for a strong rally.
Keep Your Shots Low – Hitting low and controlled shots makes it harder for your opponents to attack.
Communicate with Your Partner – In doubles, constant communication prevents confusion and maximizes court coverage.
Be Patient and Strategic – Instead of going for power shots, focus on placement, consistency, and forcing your opponent into errors.

Wheelchair Rules

The following is a quick reference guide for Wheelchair players, as well as referees, identifying rules unique to Wheelchair play from the 2025 USA Pickleball Rulebook.

Section 1 - The Game - Unique Features

Players using wheelchairs may allow the ball to bounce twice before returning the ball. The second bounce can be anywhere on the playing surface.

Section 2 - Court And Equipment

2.A.4 - The recommended playing surface area for Wheelchair play is 44 feet (13.41 m) wide and 74 feet (22,55 m) long. The size for Wheelchair play in a stadium court is 50 ft (15.24 m) wide by 80 feet (24.38 m) long.

Section 3 - Definitions

3.A.47 - Players using Wheelchairs - Any person, with or without a disability, who plays the game in a wheelchair. The wheelchair is considered part of the player's body. This can be a player with a disability or anyone that wants to play in a wheelchair.

Section 4 - The Serve, Service Sequence, And Scoring Rules

4.A.4.d - The moment the ball is served: Both rear wheels must be on the playing surface behind the baseline and may not touch the court on or inside the baseline or outside the imaginary extensions of the sideline or centerline.

Section 7 - Fault Rules

7.E - Failure of a player using a wheelchair to return a ball before it bounces three times on the receiving player's side of the net.

Section 9 - Non-Volley-Zone Rules

9.A - All volleys must be initiated outside of the non-volley zone. For players using wheelchairs, the front (smaller) wheels may touch the non-volley zone during a volley.
9.B - It is a fault if the volleying player or anything that has contact with the volleying player while in the act of volleying, touches the non-volley zone. For players using wheelchairs, the front (smaller) wheels may touch the non-volley zone.
9.C - During the act of volleying, it is a fault if the volleying player's momentum causes the player to contact anything that is touching the non-volley zone, including the player's partner. For players using wheelchairs, the front (smaller) wheels may touch the non-volley zone.
9.D - If the rear wheels of a wheelchair have touched the non-volley zone for any reason, the player using a wheelchair cannot volley a return until both rear wheels have made contact with the playing surface outside the non-volley zone.

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