Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It was created in 1965 by three fathers in Seattle who were looking for a game for their kids. The game uses a paddle and a plastic ball with simplified rules, including only allowing the ball to bounce once before each side must return it. This summary outlines the key elements of serving, dinking, lobbing, and volleying skills, as well as strategies, sportsmanship, and etiquette for playing pickleball. The class is challenged to learn the critical elements of each skill.

1. Pickleball
Coach Blackley
7th Grade Physical Education Class

2. Agenda
Introduction
Background
Equipment/Rules
Elements of play
Game Etiquette
Sportsmanship
Summary and Challenge
California Content Standards
Manipulative Skills 2.1 – Identify and describe key elements in the mature performance of
the overhand, sidearm, and underhand throwing, catching, kicking/punting, striking, trapping,
dribbling, and volleying.
Movement Concepts 2.2 – Analyze movement patterns and correct errors
Group Dynamics 5.4 – Evaluate the effect of expressing encouragement to other while
participating in a group physical activity.

3. Introduction
Did you know that there’s a sport that combines elements of tennis,
ping pong, and badminton, all while being accessible and fun for you,
your friends, parents, and grandparents? Welcome to the world of
pickleball, where strategy, precision, and agility meet in an exciting
game that’s taking the world by storm. So, grab your paddles and get
ready to dive into the exciting world of pickleball.

4. Background
Pickleball was created in 1965 by three dads in
Seattle, Washington. Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and
Barney McCallum credit their kids in helping them
create the game due to their boredom with their usual
summertime activities. Pickleball has evolved from
original handmade equipment and simple rules into a
popular sport in Canada and the United States.

5. Equipment and Rules
Equipment
• A pickleball paddle
• A pickleball
• A pickleball net
Basic Rules
Pickleball is played as singles or doubles
• Scoring
• Points are only scored by the serving team
• Games are played to 11, win by 2
• When the serving team’s score is even, the
player who was the first server in the game for
that team will be in the right/even court when
serving or receiving, when odd that player will
be in the left/odd court when serving or
receiving.
• Two-Bounce Rule
• When the ball is served, the receiving team
must let it bounce before returning, and then
the serving team must let it bounce before
returning, thus two bounces.
• After the ball has bounced once in each team’s
court, both teams may either volley the ball (hit
the ball before it bounces) or play it off a
bounce (ground stroke).
• The two-bounce rule eliminates the serve and
volley advantage and extends rallies.

6. Check for Understanding
A typical game is scored to what?
The only way a team can score
is when they are doing what?

7. Elements of Play – The Serve
Every game of pickleball starts with the serve. There are two types of serves that
are allowed (underhand volley and drop). Here are the critical elements of the
serve:
• Position yourself behind the baseline and between the centerline and
sideline.
• Use a pre-serve routine.
• Grip the paddle (toothpaste grip) with your dominant hand.
• Underhand volley – with your non-dominant hand, drop the ball below your
belly button and strike it below your waist, with the top of your paddle head
below your wrist into the crosscourt.
• Drop – drop the pickleball and strike it off the bounce and into the crosscourt.
The video shared on this slide goes over tips on mastering the serve.

8. Elements of play – The Dink
The dink is performed mostly near the kitchen and is a very important tool to have in
your arsenal. Here are some key elements to the dink:
• Get In a good athletic stance (feet shoulder width apart, slight knee bend, and on
the balls of your feet).
• Grip the paddle with a toothpaste grip
• Try to minimize ball spin
• Forehand – form a V-shape with your arm, reach and barely push the ball over
the net.
• Backhand – for a V-shape with your arm, reach and barely push the ball over the
net.
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9. Elements of play – The Lob
The lob is one of four shots that a good pickleball player incorporates into their game. Here
are the critical elements for the lob:
• Good athletic stance is always the first step
• Use a toothpaste grip with the paddle
• Perform the lob preferably at the kitchen
• Defensive lob – swing with an open paddle face and a vertical follow through for a high,
arcing shot.
• Offensive lob – swing with a angled paddle face, with an up and out follow through for a
flat arcing shot.
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10. Elements of play – The Volley
A volley is a shot where you hit the ball out of the air without it bouncing. Here are the
key elements to the volley:
• Athletic stance
• Toothpaste grip on the paddle.
• Make contact out in front of your body.
• Block volley – defensive, backhand strike.
• Punch or swing – offensive, forehand strike.
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11. Strategy
Pickleball is a fun, strategic game. Here are some helpful tips to raise your
game up another level.
• Serve deep
• Move in sync with your partner
• Play low
• Aim for your opponents' feet
• Return the serve deeply
• Dink between opponents.
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12. Check for Understanding
7/3/2023
The lob is preferably performed near what area of the court?
What should you be trying to minimize when performing the dink?

13. Game Etiquette
We are playing pickleball without referees or officials, so all calls will be initiated by you all.
Here are some simply guidelines we should follow to help everything run smoothly:
• Respect your opponents right to make all calls on their end of the court.
• Call your own shot out if you see that it is out.
• If you question an opponents call, do so respectfully and do not argue.
• Call a fault on yourself or your partner as soon as it occurs, regardless if your opponents are
aware of the fault.
• Make safety a priority while using common sense
• If a ball strays onto your court, make eye contact with the correct person and roll it or toss it
back to them without disrupting play to other courts.
• Never throw your paddle or strike the ball in anger or frustration.

14. Sportsmanship
With all activities that we do this year, I will emphasize the importance of good
sportsmanship. It is important that you strive to be a good teammate and respect
everyone. Here are some key things I want you to consider and incorporate during class
and in your day-to-day life outside of class:
• Be a good sport and respect your classmates
• Give 100% effort and try your best
• Be aware that everyone is at different skill levels and that’s ok
• The goal is to be active and have fun, winning and losing does not matter.
• Always encourage effort
• Congratulate your opponent when they win.
• When you win, do not brag or be boastful, the goal is to have fun regardless.

15. Summary and Challenge
I hope after you viewed this lecture you are excited to start playing pickleball.
We went over the background and rules, elements of play, sportsmanship,
and etiquette. You all should have a good foundation and understanding of
the sport.
My challenge to you all is for you to identify the critical elements for all
elements of play and be able to recite them when we go over them in class.
Study up and see you soon!