Pickleball lessons to be held in Hodag Dome

The School District of Rhinelander Community Education Program will offering Pickleball Lessons in the Hodag Dome beginning later this month.

Lessons will be held Mondays and Wednesdays from Sept. 25 to Oct. 18, with sessions geared toward beginner, intermediate and advanced players. 

Level 1 lessons are for those who never played pickleball before or have played very little (hit balls for less than 10 outings in the last year). No prior skills are required. Learn serve, return of serve, basic volley and overhead, dinking and the no volley zone, third shot drop, basic strategy and positions, rules, faults, court geometry, and scoring.

Level 2 lessons are for those who know how to keep score; are able to serve and return successfully seven out of 10 times sequentially; understand the no volley zone; can dink unattackable balls successfully at least five sequential shots; can volley more than three times in a sequence; have basic overhead skills; understand the lob, third shot drop, and other reset shots; can usually be in the right court position and understand court geometry.

Level 3 lessons are for those who have mastered scoring; can put eight out of 10 sequential serves and returns in play with depth consistently; can hit some spin serves; can volley consistently four or more sequential shots; have a reliable overhead that can place eight out of 10 sequential shots for some winners; can dink unattackable balls successfully and consistently at least six sequential shots; can successfully hit eight out of 10 third shot drops sequentially forehand or backhand from anywhere; can hit eight out of 10 sequential forehands or backhands keeping the ball in play; have good control over the no volley zone and understand court position and strategy.

Level 1 sessions will be held from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. on the specified days, Level 2 sessions will be held from 1:15 to 2:15 and 7 to 8 p.m. and Level 3 sessions will be held from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.

Local pickleball players Darrell Schmidt, Larry McKitrick and Jon Koch will serve as the instructors. Registration is $60 per person.

Pre-registration is required for all classes. Space is limited. To register, please visit the “Community” section of the School District of Rhinelander website: http://www.rhinelander.k12.wi.us/community/

communityeducation.cfm. Online registration is available with a credit or debit card. Paper registration is available by mail or drop off. For more information, contact Mike Cheslock at 715-365-9745.