Pickleball Lessons for Beginners and Improvers

Pickleball Clinics with Lorilee Beltman in Edmonds 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.

Learn the court, equipment, shots, and safety:

  • fundamental skills and stroke mechanics for common shots
  • moving safely
  • serve and return of serve
  • 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 200 students. We have a great time and learn a lot.

COST: Clinics cost $95 per person. A paid invoice secures your spot.

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

April

BEGINNER CLINIC Friday, April 26, 1:30 – 4:30 PM. SOLD OUT.

May

BEGINNERS CLINIC Friday, May 17, 1:30 – 4:30 PM. Two spots open as of 4/21/24.

INTERMEDIATE/IMPROVING BEGINNERS CLINIC Monday, May 20, 1:30 – 4:30 PM. One spot open as of 4/26/24.

BEGINNERS CLINIC Wednesday, May 29, 1:30 – 4:30 PM. OPEN.

June

BEGINNER CLINIC Monday, June 3, 5:30 – 8:30 PM, Frances Anderson Center, Edmonds. SOLD OUT.

INTERMEDIATE/IMPROVING BEGINNERS CLINIC Wednesday, June 26, 1:30 – 4:30 PM, Frances Anderson Center, Edmonds. Six spots open as of 4/16/24. Limited to 8 students who have already completed a beginner clinic (mine or any other), $95 per person. Students will be asked what they’s like help with, and I will also decide drills based on what I see when you play. See sign up instructions below. or just email me if you already have my info.

BEGINNER CLINIC Friday, June 28, 1:30 – 4:30 PM. Four spots open as of 4/21/24.

July

BEGINNER CLINIC Tuesday, July 2, 1:30 -4:30 PM. OPEN.

BEGINNER CLINIC Monday, July 8, 5:30 -8:30 PM. Six spots open as of 4/21/24.

BEGINNER CLINIC Friday, July 12, 5:30 – 8:30 PM. Six spots open as of 4/21/24.

BEGINNER CLINIC Tuesday, July 16, 1:30 – 4:30 PM. OPEN.

BEGINNER CLINIC Friday, July 19, 5:30 -8:30 PM.

BEGINNER CLINIC Tuesday, July 23, 1:30 -4:30 PM.

August

BEGINNER CLINIC Monday, August 5, 5:30 -8:30 PM.

BEGINNER CLINIC Friday, August 9, 5:30 -8:30 PM.

BEGINNER CLINIC Tuesday, August 13, 1:30 -4:30 PM.

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.

Cancellation policy:

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. 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 hasn’t happened yet), I will fully refund your registration fee.

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

  1. Your full name.
  2. Which class? Give me the date.
  3. Phone number so we can reach each other if necessary. (I will not use group texting.)
  4. Email. I will use Bcc for any group email. I need your email for invoicing. Invoice will arrive through PayPal. You don’t need your own PayPal account to pay. I no longer use Venmo.

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.

Please know I play pickleball at the 3.5 level. I am not a pro. I’m a teacher/coach. I love getting beginners off to a solid start! Read the reviews above to see how it’s working. Since June of 2024 I’ve taught well over 200 beginners.

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, and my certificate is below.

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. Should you choose to make a Revolin purchase, use the coupon code LL20 to get 20% off. They have intro- to pro- level paddles in the $109 to $219 range, with the discount bringing it to $88 to $176.