Where to Find the Best Free Pickleball Lessons 

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States. One of the main reasons for this is because it is so much fun and easy to pick up – not to mention the fact that you don’t have to spend a mint on special equipment to start enjoying it! Another good thing about it is that you don’t need to master any advanced techniques to get healthier and have a good time on the court. 

Most people fall in love with pickleball after picking up a paddle and playing a few games. However, that may not always be the best approach. The reason for this is that bad habits are often easy to fall into and hard to break. Therefore, it may be best to take a few lessons and learn some basic techniques. That way, no bad habits transfer to the court and mess up your skills as you learn. 

This article will look at the best ways to improve your pickleball game. It also covers some free resources that could help you to serve and volley like a pro.

How Much Do Pickleball Lessons Typically Cost?

If you decide to improve your skills by taking lessons, the first question you are likely to ask yourself is “how much do pickleball lessons cost?” The answer to that question will be determined by where you live, the instructor’s qualifications, and the type of lessons being offered. 

Private pickleball lessons usually cost between $50 and $100 per hour, but many tutors offer discounts to students who book multiple lessons. Here are some factors that could help you to get the most out of pickleball lessons:

• The instructor’s qualifications: You should look for an instructor who is certified by the Professional Pickleball Registry or the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association. Both these organizations have thorough certification programs, which means the instructors they award credentials to are probably pretty good. The PBR website has a Find a Pro page that makes it easy to connect with a qualified instructor in your area.
• The focus of the training: Not all pickleball lessons are the same. Some instructors focus on form and technique, while others structure their lessons around gameplay and strategy. To avoid mistakes, you should ask instructors what kind of lessons they offer before signing up. 
• Package deals: A professional pickleball instructor should be open about their pricing and let you know what is included in their hourly rate. It is also a good idea to ask instructors about free introductory lessons, discounts and package deals. 
• Online reviews: Before you part with any money, you should read some online reviews posted by an instructor's current or former students. Google and Yelp are the best places to find online reviews.

Free Online Pickleball Lessons: Budget While You Learn
Private lessons from a qualified and talented instructor are probably the best way to get good at pickleball, but you can learn some basic skills that could really improve your game without spending any money at all. Putting it another way–if you are on a budget–you should take advantage take advantage of any free resources that are available to you before searching online for ‘private pickleball lessons near me.’ 

To make things easier, we’ve listed a few free and reduced cost options below.

Your Local Parks Department

Most large public parks in the United States now feature pickleball courts because the game is so popular and so much fun. In many parts of the country, the government agency tasked with operating public parks offer free pickleball lessons to introduce people to the game. 

These free lessons are unlikely to turn you into a pro, but they could teach you the basics. You can visit your local Parks Department’s website to find out about free lessons, or you could look for signs or notices posted near pickleball courts. 

Health or Country Club lessons

Health associations like the YMCA and country clubs sometimes offer free pickleball lessons or pickleball clinics at reduced costs to their members. Many of these organizations will even loan equipment to use while you practice.

These lessons are a great way to learn the basic rules of the game and the right ways to serve, dink, and move. You’ll be happy to learn and elevate your pickleball game because you will be receiving instruction from people that you know and like. If you feel comfortable in your surroundings, your lessons are more likely to be productive and enjoyable. 

Online Guides

Reading online guides could help you to grasp the basics of pickleball play and strategy. Online guides explain the rules of the game, show you how to grip the paddle correctly, and tell you where to stand on the court. They do not go into great depth, but they are a useful free resource.

Video Tutorials

Many of the most respected pickleball instructors also have YouTube channels, and they can be a great free resource for players who are new to the game. There are basic videos for beginners, and there are in-depth tutorials for experienced players who want to work through a problem or hone a particular skill. 

Pickleball Classes: Finding the Best Fit

Receiving one-on-one tuition from a certified instructor may be the best way to improve your pickleball skills, but private lessons are not cheap. If you want to learn from an experienced pickleball instructor without breaking the bank, group classes may be a great option. 

Group sessions are less formal than one-on-one classes, and the students do not feel like everything they do is being scrutinized. This creates a more casual atmosphere, and it can make the lessons a lot more fun.

Depending on what type of group pickleball class you sign up for, you could receive instruction alongside as few as four or as many as 30 people. Smaller classes are better as the instructor will be able to spend more time with each participant. You can expect to pay between $10 and $30 per hour for group pickleball classes, which is quite reasonable when compared to the cost of private lessons. 

Before you sign up for group classes, you should make sure that the instruction will match your skill level. There are group classes for beginners, and there are sessions for more experienced players. 

It is a good idea to receive some sort of instruction before you start playing pickleball regularly because the techniques you will learn could help you to avoid common injuries like pickleball elbow.

Best Pickleball Camps and Clinics to Improve Your Skills

Several organizations offer pickleball camps and clinics to help players of any skill level improve and get more out of the game. Attending one of these camps will cost less than taking private lessons, but you may have to do a bit of traveling to find one if you do not live in a major metropolitan area. The effort will probably be worth it though as attending could help you to:

• Eliminate mistakes and become a better player.
• Improve specific pickleball skills.
• Prepare for a pickleball tournament.
• Meet fellow pickleball enthusiasts.

During an all-inclusive pickleball camp, the attendees are split into small groups after receiving some basic instruction. This allows instructors to spend more time with each participant. These groups are usually made up of players with similar skill levels, which encourages the participants to share tips and help each other. Let’s take a look at some of the organizations that regularly hold pickleball camps and clinics:

• Level Up Pickleball: The Level Up Pickleball website is a great resource for finding pickleball camps around the country. The organization holds 200 camps each year in 35 states, and the instructors are all ITPA and PPA certified. Camps are offered for beginner, intermediate and advanced players, and the skills covered include serving and returning, volleys and lobs. The sessions are held over one or two days, and they cost between $295 and $645 to attend. 
• Engage Pickleball: Pickleball enthusiasts spend more on athletic equipment than casual players, so it is not surprising that several pickleball equipment manufacturers offer training camps. Engage Pickleball is the leading pickleball paddle manufacturer, and it offers dozens of camps and clinics each year. Camps are offered for beginners and intermediate players, and some of the packages include lodgings at a luxury hotel. Prices start at $299 and rise to $699, and you should book well in advance if you are interested because they sell out quickly. 
• Nike: The sportswear giant Nike has teamed up with U.S. Sports Camps to offer pickleball clinics across the country. These camps usually last for three days, and the instructors are all certified and experienced. Nike pickleball camps are known for having an excellent attendee-to-instructor ratio, so places are scarce and are snapped up quickly. You can expect to pay between $300 to $700 to attend one of these camps. 
• Better Pickleball: These camps focus on what Better Pickleball calls the Three Pillars of the game. Attendees learn about the mechanical, strategic and athletic aspects of pickleball in a friendly and supportive environment, but the experience can be overwhelming for beginners. The $799 price point is on the high side, but it may be worth it if you have at least six months of pickleball experience and know the basics.

Finding Free Pickleball Lessons Near You

If you don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on private pickleball lessons, there are plenty of free alternatives to choose from. The organizations that offer free pickleball lessons rarely have large marketing budgets, so you may have to do a little research to find classes near your home. Here are some of the best places to look. 

Pickleball Courts

Information about free lessons can often be found on notices or bulletin boards near pickleball courts. Visiting a court will also give you the chance to ask other players about free pickleball classes.

Online Search Engines

Typing ‘free pickleball lessons near me’ into a search engine like Google could provide you with several options to choose from in your neighborhood. There will probably be results from your local Parks Department and nearby YMCAs. Search engines are also a good place to find reviews from players who have attended free classes. 

Facebook Groups

If you have a Facebook account, you can use it to find groups of pickleball enthusiasts in your area. People who post on Facebook are eager to share information and tips, so simply asking a local pickleball group about free lessons could yield a lot of useful information. 

Pickleheads

Pickleheads is the nation’s largest online pickleball community. You can visit the Pickleheads website to connect with local groups, or you could download the Pickleheads smartphone app.

Online Forums

Forums like Reddit can be good sources of information about free pickleball classes. You will probably have to set up an account before you can ask a question, but this will likely involve nothing more than providing an email address and choosing a username and password. 

Get the Most from Your Pickleball Lessons

Whether you take free classes, hire a private tutor or attend a pickleball camp, you will get more out of your lessons if you use the right equipment and wear the right athletic apparel. TRUEENERGY® has been helping athletes to reach their goals since 1946. Our extensive line of Pickleball Performance Socks feature proprietary Tru-X Technology that combines the circulation and support benefits of compression with the recovery power of Infrared Energy. 

The Compression promotes crucial blood flow while the Infrared Energy works to stimulate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production which is used by the cells to accelerate healing and cellular regeneration - promoting recovery, performance and energy, taking your pickleball game to the next level.

FAQs

What is the best way to learn pickleball?

The best way to learn pickleball is to start with some basic instruction. This approach can come from free resources like online video tutorials, local parks and recreation departments, or community centers. For more structured learning, consider taking group classes or private lessons from certified instructors who can provide personalized feedback and guidance.

What is the best way to get better at pickleball?

To master pickleball, regular practice and playing with others at varying skill levels is key. Taking lessons from qualified instructors can help improve your technique and strategy. Additionally, watching video tutorials, participating in clinics or camps, and engaging in drills focused on specific skills like serving, volleying, and dinking can significantly enhance your game.

What are 3 skills needed to play pickleball?

Footwork: Good footwork is crucial for positioning yourself effectively on the court and reacting quickly to your opponent’s shots.

Agility: Agility helps you move swiftly and change directions easily, which is important for both offensive and defensive plays.

Hand-Eye Coordination: This skill is essential for accurately hitting the ball and executing shots with precision.

How many hours should you play pickleball?

To enjoy the cardiovascular and agility benefits of pickleball, aim to play at least three times a week. The recommended duration to meet exercise guidelines is around 4.5 hours per week, with enough intensity to reach about 75% of your maximum heart rate.

What is a beginner in pickleball?

A beginner in pickleball is someone who is new to the sport and is learning the basic rules, techniques, and strategies. Beginners typically focus on understanding how to serve, return serves, and position themselves on the court. They often start with casual play and basic drills to build foundational skills.

Is it hard to be good at pickleball?

Pickleball is relatively easy to pick up and enjoy, but becoming proficient requires practice and dedication. While the basic rules and techniques are simple, mastering the game involves developing good footwork, agility, and hand-eye coordination, as well as understanding advanced strategies and shot selection. With regular practice and possibly some professional instruction, most players can improve their skills and enjoy the game at a higher level.