Junior Rally

About this program

For ages 9–12: build pickleball fundamentals, teamwork and rally confidence through hands-on practice and friendly games. Experienced coaches and volunteers lead age-appropriate instruction, drills and practice in the first half. In the second half, players put their skills into action in short, rotating games. We emphasize active participation, rotating partners, fair playing time, learning, sportsmanship and fun—not elimination tournaments or intense competition. Launch dates and schedules are tentative.

Learn. Play. Rally.

30 Minutes to Learn. 30 Minutes to Play. 100% Fun.

Think youth basketball, but with paddles! Every session combines hands-on coaching with real game time. Kids spend the first half learning new skills and the second half putting those skills into action through fast, fun, rotating pickleball games.

8 weeks · Skills + games every week

Learning, sportsmanship and fun—not elimination tournaments or intense competition.

Games may rotate every 5 minutes or after 3–5 points, depending on age group, experience, attendance and available courts. Schedules and rotations may be adjusted by the program organizers.

Your 8-week season

Age-appropriate skills followed by rotating games every week. Coaches adapt the activities to the group.

1. Week 1

   Skills · 30 min: Paddle grip, ready position, safety and basic rules.

   Games · 30 min: Short cooperative games with rotating partners and equal turns.

2. Week 2

   Skills · 30 min: Dinks, gentle contact and paddle control.

   Games · 30 min: Rotating mini-court games that practice soft shots.

3. Week 3

   Skills · 30 min: Serving, returning and starting a rally.

   Games · 30 min: Short serve-and-return games with partner rotations.

4. Week 4

   Skills · 30 min: Footwork, court movement and returning to ready position.

   Games · 30 min: Rotating games focused on movement and staying involved.

5. Week 5

   Skills · 30 min: Volleys, the non-volley zone and shot control.

   Games · 30 min: Short rotating games applying kitchen and volley skills.

6. Week 6

   Skills · 30 min: Partner communication and doubles positioning.

   Games · 30 min: Rotating doubles games with fair playing time.

7. Week 7

   Skills · 30 min: Shot choices, rally consistency and age-appropriate scoring.

   Games · 30 min: Short rotating games combining skills and sportsmanship.

8. Week 8

   Skills · 30 min: Review favorite skills and celebrate individual progress.

   Games · 30 min: Celebration games with rotating partners, no elimination and everyone playing.

What to bring

Athletic shoes, water bottle, paddle if you have one.

Parent expectations & policies

A parent or guardian registers each player and provides emergency contact details. Please review our code of conduct and participation policies.