10 Lesson plan for intermediate to Advanced players with Johm Gill Lesson Plan for Intermediate to Advanced Pickleball Players Lesson 1: Advanced Footwork and Court Positioning Review of proper stance and movement techniques. Strategies for efficient court coverage. Drills for quick lateral movement and split-step timing. Lesson 2: Mastering the Third Shot Drop Importance of the third shot in setting up the point. Techniques for effective third shot drop placement. Live drills and match simulations to apply the skill. Lesson 3: Offensive and Defensive Dinking Refining control and consistency in the dink game. Recognizing when to attack versus when to reset the point. Drills focusing on sharp angles and spin. Lesson 4: Advanced Volleys and Net Play Mastering soft and punch volleys. Blocking fast-paced shots and counterattacking. Quick reaction drills at the non-volley zone. Lesson 5: Power and Spin in Groundstrokes Developing topspin and slice forehand/backhand shots. Using depth and pace to pressure opponents. Partner drills to build consistency and accuracy. Lesson 6: Serve and Return Strategies Maximizing power and accuracy in serves. Targeting deep and strategic returns. Variations like spin serves and high lob returns. Lesson 7: Advanced Doubles Strategy Effective partner communication and positioning. Poaching techniques and stacking strategies. Live gameplay analysis and adjustments. Lesson 8: Mastering the Transition Zone (Mid-Court Play) Handling attacks in the “no man’s land.” Effective resets and counterattacks. Drills to improve balance and control in mid-court exchanges. Lesson 9: Mental Toughness and Match Play Strategy Managing pressure situations and staying focused. Reading opponents’ weaknesses and adjusting strategies. Competitive game scenarios with coaching feedback. Lesson 10: Tournament Readiness and Match Simulation Simulated tournament play with coaching. Strategy refinement based on live play. Review and goal-setting for continued improvement.

Correcting fundamentals

I start by understanding the player’s current level, strengths, goals, and pain points. We run through some live hitting, serve/return, third shot drops, dinks, and transition play to assess movement and shot selection. From there, I tailor a game plan specific to the player’s needs—whether it’s footwork, shot precision, or strategy.

Please wear comfortable court shoes and plenty of water for hydration. Don’t forget your “I can do it” attitude and have some fun!

Water, proper court shoes, racket (unless want to borrow one of mine), sunscreen

Just bring yourself & paddle if you have one. If you don't have a paddle, don't worry, I have extras for use during your lesson.

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The key to teaching younger students is to make the game fun and easy to understand. My teaching style caters to each students ability, creating fun games to play and easy to understand instruction, encouragement and praise.