Instructional Program

PCVG offers a complete learning pathway for players from brand‑new beginners to experienced, PCVG and DUPR rated players. Two series are offered:  Introduction to Pickleball and Clinics.

All classes and clinics are free for Villages residents. A Villages ID is required to register. Guests may attend only if space allows.

The $20 MyPBGames activity fee is not required for Instructional Program participation.

Schedule & Registration

Signups for both the Introduction to Pickleball Series and the Clinic Series are managed through SignUpGenius. Use the button below for instructions on how to use the system.

All sessions open for registration 7 days before the event at 8:00 PM. Please cancel at least 24 hours in advance if you can no longer attend.

If weather forces a cancellation, participants will be notified one hour before the scheduled start time.

To view upcoming sessions, select the Schedule button below.

Introduction to Pickleball Series Overview

About the Introduction to Pickleball Series

The Introduction to Pickleball Series follows a structured four‑step pathway, described in the sections below, to ensure players develop skills in the proper sequence.

  • Designed for brand-new players
  • Must be taken in order
  • Paddles and balls provided
  • Protective eyewear + athletic shoes required
  • Signups open 7 days before class at 8 pm
  • Cancellations are requested at least 24 hours in advance
  • Weather cancellations occur - notified 1 hour before class

Step 1 - Virtual Classroom

Participants are required to watch all assigned videos before attending the Introduction to Pickleball class. These videos provide the foundational knowledge you’ll need before stepping onto the courts.

  • Basic terminology
  • Court layout
  • Rules
  • Scoring
  • Safety

Click here to watch the videos.

Step 2 - Introduction to Pickleball

Prerequisite is viewing the Virtual Classroom videos.

Students will learn the physical demands of the game, as well as balance, footwork, and movement. Through eye-hand coordination drills & paddle drills they will learn paddle & ball interaction. Learning basic serves, ground strokes and dinks will prepare them to play. This class is designed to be repeated to help players become comfortable and safe. Instructors will advise students when they are ready to move on to beginner mentored play.

In this on-court class you will learn:

  • Grip and ready position
  • Basic strokes
  • Court movement
  • Intro to scoring

Advancement:  Instructor moves your to the Beginner Mentored Play class when they feel you are ready.

Click here to register for the Introduction to Pickleball class.

Step 3 - Beginner Mentored Play (BMP)

This class consists of guided play with experienced mentors focusing on:

  • Consistency
  • Positioning
  • Shot selection
  • Confidence building

You can attend up to 5 sessions. Some players advance sooner.

Advancement:  Mentor moves you to the Advanced Beginner Clinic (ABC).

Click here to register for Beginner Mentored Play (BMP).

Step 4 - Advanced Beginner Clinic (ABC)

The focus of this class is skill development in:

  • Serve and return consistency
  • Dinking
  • Court strategy basics
  • Movement and positioning

Advancement:  The Advanced Beginner Clinic instructor recommends you for the Clinic Series.

Click here to register for Advanced Beginner Clinic (ABC).

Clinic Series (for 3.0 or above rated players)

These clinics are designed for players who:

  • Have completed the Introduction to Pickleball series.
  • Have had prior training and hold a 3.0 or above PCVG or DUPR rating.

The clinic offerings, as referenced in the below sections, are:

  • Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) Concepts
  • Full Court Concepts
  • Partner Development Concepts
  • Strategy Play Concepts
  • Moving Beyond 3.5

You can repeat the clinics as recommended by the Activity Leader.

Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) Concepts

This clinic teaches developmental techniques to improve Non-Volley Zone shots using a game-based drill and play format. Instruction will be on:

  • creating open space
  • ball pace
  • moving opponents
  • ideal strike zone
  • paddle angles
  • ball pathways to achieve a variety of shots for successful play

Click here to register for Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) Concepts.

Full Court Concepts

This clinic teaches the deep forehand and backhand ground strokes needed in the serve and return of serve. 

The focus area of this clinic is:

  • transitioning to the non-volley zone using the drop-shot via game-based drills and play

Click here to register for Full Court Concepts.

Partner Development Concepts

Prerequisites are:  Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) Concepts and Full Court Conepts.

This clinic is designed for partners to learn and play together using various skills and strategies. 

This course requires you to sign up with a partner. Partners will play together for all the drills and practice games.

The focus areas of this clinic are:

  • Partner communication
  • Stacking basics
  • Movement as a team
  • Offensive and defensive transitions

Click here to register for Partner Development Concepts. Only one of the partners should sign up.

Strategy Play Concepts

This clinic is designed to utilize your skills to execute a successful game plan against any opponent by introducing offensive and defensive strategies, with an emphasis on the transition zone.The focus areas of this clinic are:

  • Point construction
  • Pattern recognition
  • Advanced positioning
  • Smart aggression

Click here to register for Strategy Play Concepts.

Moving Beyond 3.5

The goal of the Moving Beyond 3.5 clinic is to give you the tools to move your DUPR rating from 3.5 to 4.0 and above. 

We will focus on different aspects of three key areas:

  1. The first five shots
  2. Play at the NVZ line
  3. Playing in control

Click here to register for Moving Beyond 3.5.