Pickleball Lessons for Beginners and Improvers

(Affiliate links for PickleballCentral.com, Revolin Sports, and Honolulu Pickleball are found at the bottom of this page.)

Pickleball Clinics with Lorilee Beltman in Edmonds, Washington and Whidbey Island, Washington

BEGINNER PICKLEBALL CLINIC DESCRIPTION

Here’s a great start for beginners in a three-hour clinic. This course is designed for complete beginners and players who’ve hopped on the court a few times but lack confidence. Small classes are limited to eight students. My goal is to equip you with safety information, stroke mechanics for control, and enough rules and etiquette to give you confidence for drop-in play. I also send you off with some key strategies to focus on while you begin your pickleball adventure.

Learn the court, equipment, shots, and safety:

fundamental skills and stroke mechanics for common shots
moving safely
serve and return of serve execution and strategy
approaching the non-volley zone (aka “kitchen”)
“dinking”
volleys

Learn about game play, rules, and etiquette:

doubles positions and keeping score
etiquette for drop-in play
indoor v. outdoor play
how to find games locally
paddle-stacking
applying skills to game play

I’m certified in the teaching methods developed by the PPR (Professional Pickleball Registry) from USA Pickleball. (See certification below.)

Here’s what my students are saying:

“Lorilee’s class is great for anyone looking to understand the foundations of pickleball. Within just one morning, I went from barely knowing anything to feeling equipped for joining a match with others. I especially loved all the practical tips on court and game etiquette and Lorilee’s clear, welcoming and hands-on style of teaching. I highly recommend this class! This was the perfect foundation-building class.” – Nadine L., Seattle

“It’s easy to pick up bad habits if you don’t know the fundamentals. Lots of playtime too, which is all we ever want to do now!” – Nicole M., Lynnwood, WA

“Thank you and it was a wonderful experience learning pickleball tricks and exercises with everybody – you make a great coach!” – Rishi S., Mill Creek, WA

“Lorilee’s class was very comprehensive. As a beginner, I feel better equipped to join other pickleball players and play!” -Amy L., Everett, WA

“This class has helped me to really understand the game. Having a small group allowed me to get more pointers on a one-to-one basis. What a great bunch of people, everyone was helping each other.” – Ruth A., Mountlake Terrace, WA

“This class is an excellent first step to learn the fundamentals of pickleball and will give you the confidence and skill-set to go and organize your own games! You’ll definitely want to stay after and use what you learned!” – Kendrick K., Seattle, WA

“I’ve taken other beginner workshops before. In one class, we focused on game playing and counting. In another, we focused on skills and drills. What I really appreciated about Lorilee’s class is that we did all of the above but her class included the transition to real play. After the first two classes from others, I still didn’t know how to actually play in the real world. In Lorilee’s class, we did a mock drop in play where we put our paddles in groupings like you would encounter throughout the area. She also offered some post class play where we mimic the drop in environment. I gained more confidence to go to a real drop in by myself.” – Karen N., Seattle, WA

“Lorilee’s clinic provides everything you need to learn in order to start playing pickleball. All the basics and strategy are covered in an easy to understand way. If you’re totally new to the sport, a quick review of scoring prior to the clinic will help.” – Betti S, West Seattle, WA

“Lorilee gives description, then demonstrates what she’s teaching you, with lots of encouragement. I had fun and met some very nice people!” – Barb F., Edmonds, WA

“I’d never played pickleball before and Lorilee taught me the basics in technique, game rules and etiquette so I could start the sport with skill and confidence. She’s a great teacher and I hope to take more lessons from her again.” – Debra G., Seattle, WA

“This was just what we needed! Lorilee provides great instruction and lots of practical tips! She’s arranged play dates for us beginners and it’s been so much fun!” – Juli S., Mill Creek, WA

2024 Dates and details:

All beginner clinics include 3 hours of instruction and cover the topics detailed above. Classes are small and limited to eight players. They take place indoors in the gym at the Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St, Edmonds, WA. Do not call the FAC to register. Registrations are done through me using the contact link found below the listed clinic dates. I rent the entire gym for class and we use two courts, leaving a nice open space in the middle. Ages 18 and older only. To date I’ve taught well over 300 students. We have a great time and learn a lot!

COST: Clinics cost $95 per person. As soon as you email me I add your name to the roster. Your spot is secured when the invoice is paid.

See below for registration instructions and to contact me if you want to be on a waiting list for a sold out class.

January

BEGINNER CLINIC Saturday, January 11, 9:00 – *12:00 noon. *Note: in order to get a Saturday time slot, we actually have to be cleared off the court 10-15 minutes before noon, but it’s worth it to get a Saturday. We’ll keep our halftime break short to compensate. Thank you.

INTERMEDIATE CLINIC Monday, January 13, 1:30 – 4:30 PM. This clinic is appropriate for players who have taken a beginner clinic (mine or another), have played for a few months or more, understand basic rules, have the ability to get most serves and returns in, and can generally keep the ball in play by whacking it back anywhere over the net. :^) . What you are missing is strategic shot placement, partner work, third, fourth/fifth shot strategies, moving in the transition zone–that type of thing.

Here’s how I run my three-hour intermediate clinics. A week before class (or anytime you feel like emailing me once you are registered) I ask what you think you need to work on. I prepare drills on those things plus whatever drills I think you need when I observe your play. There is some game play (not just drills) to apply what you’ve learned. Each intermediate clinic has been tailored to registered students’ needs. Note: Please do not sign up for this clinic if you’ve been playing a little while but have not taken a beginner class. Thank you.

BEGINNER CLINIC Wednesday, January 22, 1:30 – 4:30 PM. 12:30 – 3:30. Tentative.

BEGINNER CLINIC Monday, January 27, 1:30 – 4:30 PM.

February

BEGINNER CLINIC Monday, February 3, 1:30 – 4:30 PM

BEGINNER CLINIC Tuesday, February 18, 1:15 – 4:15 PM

INTERMEDIATE/IMPROVER CLINIC Saturday, February 22, 9:00 – *12:00 noon. *Note: in order to get a Saturday time slot, we actually have to be cleared off the court 10-15 minutes before noon, but it’s worth it to get a Saturday. We’ll keep our halftime break short to compensate. Thank you.

This clinic is appropriate for players who have taken a beginner clinic (mine or another), have played for a few months or more, understand basic rules, have the ability to get most serves and returns in, and can generally keep the ball in play by whacking it back anywhere over the net. :^) . What you are missing is strategic shot placement, partner work, third, fourth/fifth shot strategies, moving in the transition zone–that type of thing.

Monday, February 24, 5:30 – 8:30 PM tentative

March

BEGINNER CLINIC Saturday, March 8 , 9:00 AM – *12:00 noon. *Note: in order to get a Saturday time slot, we actually have to be cleared off the court 10-15 minutes before noon, but it’s worth it to get a Saturday. We’ll keep our halftime break short to compensate. Thank you.

INTERMEDIATE/IMPROVERS CLINIC Saturday, March 22, 9:00 AM – *12:00 noon. *Note: in order to get a Saturday time slot, we actually have to be cleared off the court 10-15 minutes before noon, but it’s worth it to get a Saturday. We’ll keep our halftime break short to compensate. Thank you.

BEGINNER CLINIC Tuesday, March 25, 1:30 – 4:30 PM.

BEGINNER CLINIC Monday, March 31, 5:30 – 8:30 PM.

April

BEGINNER CLINIC Wednesday, April 2, 4:00 – 7:00 PM

INTERMEDIATE CLINIC Saturday, April 5 , 9:00 AM – *12:00 noon. *Note: in order to get a Saturday time slot, we actually have to be cleared off the court 10-15 minutes before noon, but it’s worth it to get a Saturday. We’ll keep our halftime break short to compensate. Thank you.

BEGINNER CLINIC Saturday, April 19, 9:00 AM – *12:00 noon. *Note: in order to get a Saturday time slot, we actually have to be cleared off the court 10-15 minutes before noon, but it’s worth it to get a Saturday. We’ll keep our halftime break short to compensate. Thank you.

Bring:

Water and a decent snack.
Flat court shoes that are safer that running shoes.
Paddle if you have one, although I do have enough for everyone in class.
Dress in layers. The gym can be chilly.

Please read to understand this cancellation policy before registering:

Once registered, if you cancel, refunds are only issued if I am able to fill your spot from a waiting list. However, you are welcome to gift or sell your spot. Also, when you register, you register for a specific date, and you can not simply be transferred to a future class if your plans change, again, unless I can fill your spot from a waiting list. Please kindly contact me if your plans change, so I can adjust the class and have the proper name badges ready. If I have to cancel (it’s happened once out of forty times), I will fully refund your registration fee or transfer you to a future class, your choice.

TO SIGN UP, read below then you can use this link to email me and tell me all these things:

Your full name.
Which class? Give me the date.
Phone number so we can reach each other if necessary. (I will not use group texting.)
Email. I will use Bcc for any group email. I also need your email for invoicing. Invoice will arrive through PayPal. You don’t need your own PayPal account to pay.

I will send you an invoice. Keep an eye out- it might land in your junk mail. A paid invoice secures your registration. Thank you. I’ll send a reminder email the day before class.

About me

I’m an Edmonds resident and a professional knitting instructor with fifteen years experience teaching nationally and internationally. Yes, knitting! I’m comfortable teaching adults and want to help you on the court with the same patience and encouragement I share in the knitting classroom. I’m a certified pickleball coach and teach locally in my hometown of Edmonds, Washington where I’ve launched over 350 players since June of 2023, eight players at a time.

Please know I play pickleball at the 3.5 level. I am not a pro. I’m a teacher/coach and have been playing for six years. I love getting beginners off to a solid start! Read the reviews above to see how it’s working.

The PPR (Professional Pickleball Registry) training program by USA Pickleball involves online classes and in-person teacher training for certification. I completed my in-person training in Denver on 2023, and my certificate is below. My coaching business is registered in Edmonds, Washington, and I’m insured through PPR.

Brand Ambassadorships/Affiliates

PickleballCentral.com for all things pickleball. Here is the link to my favorite women’s court shoes you have seen me wear in class, K-Swiss. Men’s version K-Swiss. Here is a link to some protective eyewear. My favorite, and commonly used outdoor Balls. My favorite indoor balls.

Revolin Sports, a Michigan company that makes great paddles from sustainable materials, has shared several paddles for you to try in class if you are without your own. You’ll love how responsive they are. Try one in class and see if they magically improve your game like they did mine. Should you choose to make a Revolin purchase, use the coupon code LL15 to get 15% off.

I am a Honolulu Pickleball Company affiliate. That link and the checkout code LORILEEBELTMAN gets you 10% off. I’m currently playing with the Sword and Shield J7k. I love the power, the touch for the soft game, and this elongated shape that helps my reach.