PICKLEBALL INSTRUCTION
MAKING PICKLEBALL
FUN FOR THE
UNDER 8 CROWD
P
By Alice Tym
ickleball is a fun family sport because kids
of all ages can play and can play well. The
short paddle, large ball, and small court
make it easy for kids. It is a lot more fun if
everyone learns to hit the ball properly, so don’t ignore
lessons. Here are some suggestions on steps parents
can take to get kids started down the yellow brick road
to pickleball.
1
Buy a net. Dick’s sells an inexpensive net or you
can buy an official pickleball net. A 6-year-old can
set it up on his own.
2
Buy fat chalk. Have the child draw the lines. Just
mark the corners. The child can do the rest.
3
Explain the Non Volley Zone. Have the kids
each draw a monster in the NVZ. Explain to them
that only when the monster is touched by the ball can
they hit from inside the NVZ.
4
Buy a lightweight paddle. Buy several. The
neighbor kids are going to join you. I wish a
manufacturer would come up with paddles featuring kid
graphics. Elsa from “Frozen” or ninja turtles would be a
big hit.
5
Get outdoor balls for the driveway and
indoor balls for the basement. Tape a net line
on the basement wall if you only have room for a half
court on a rainy day.
6
Make some targets. Water bottles and a can
of orange spray paint work well or you can buy
cones at Walmart. A good project is to put faces on the
cones. Mickey Mouse gets 3 points, Donald Duck gets
2, etc. Sometimes it is easier to instruct them to hit the
ball to Mickey Mouse than it is to explain to hit the balls
“crosscourt” or “down the line.”
7
Draw a nose on the ball with a black magic
marker and instruct them to try to “hit Pluto on
the nose” so that the child learns to watch the ball
closely. They will look for that nose and be delighted to
sock it.
8
Start dinking early so the child gets the concept
of control and consistency rather than home runs.
9
Volleys are relatively easy to teach as a
punch, not a swing. If the child wants to swing
on the volleys, have him stand with his back against
a wall as you feed balls so he is unable to take a
backswing.
10
Encourage your local pro to start kids’
clinics so that your child learns proper
mechanics and has fun with other kids.
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Teach manners. Everyone enjoys kids having
fun and being respectful.
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Bring drinks. Wear sunscreen and hats.
Take them to the go-carts afterward.
You can only dink just so long! •