Pickleball Coaching
Elstead Village Tennis Club
5 Full size courts
All tarmac, well maintained.
Beginners Courses
- The rules of pickleball and essential court positioning
- Basic techniques for serving, returning, dinking, volleys and groundstrokes
- Rally skills, scoring and match etiquette
- How to build enjoyable, consistent game-play
By the end of the course, participants will feel confident joining the club’s mix-in sessions and becoming part of the fastest-growing sport in the UK.
Improver & Intermediate Courses
5 weeks • 90-minute sessions • Tailored to group and individual needs
These courses support players who have moved beyond the basics and want to develop stronger technique, improved consistency and deeper tactical understanding.
Who These Courses Are For
Improver Players
Players who:
- Understand the basic skills and rules
- Can sustain rallies and participate in games
- Want to build confidence, shot reliability and on-court awareness
Intermediate Players
Players who:
- Serve and return consistently
- Can transition to the kitchen line reliably
- Have mastered the fundamentals and want to refine technique and develop advanced tactical play
What the Programme Covers
1. Technical Skill Refinement
Coaching focuses on developing the core pickleball skills that improve match performance:
- Dinking: precision, purpose and control
- Volleys: punch volleys, block volleys and reset patterns
- Drives & Drops: consistent 3rd-shot drops, choosing when to drive or drop, effective transitions
- Serve & Return Development: depth, accuracy and tactical placement
- Footwork & Court Movement: split-step timing, efficient positioning and movement to the non-volley zone
Players receive detailed technical feedback to ensure they can execute shots with correct and repeatable technique.
2. Tactical & Strategic Development
Building on improved technique, players learn how to apply strategy in live play:
- Shot selection for offensive and defensive scenarios
- Court awareness and anticipation
- How to create pressure, generate opportunities and control the pace of play
- Defensive resets, transition play and structured point-building patterns
These skills are taught through scenario-based and game-based drills.
3. Game-Based Learning & Match Play
Each session includes:
- Progressive drills that build complexity each week
- Conditioned points designed to reinforce strategy
- Match play with real-time coach feedback
This approach ensures players confidently transfer new skills into gameplay.
4. Customised Coaching
Content is adapted for both:
- Group ability levels
- Individual needs and goals
This ensures appropriate challenge and meaningful progress for both improvers and intermediate-level players.
Private Individual or Group Coaching
60 or 90-minute sessions • 1-to-1 or groups of 2–4
Private coaching offers personalised instruction at a time that suits you. Sessions are tailored to your specific goals—whether you’re a beginner looking to build fundamentals or a more experienced player aiming to refine technique, improve strategy or enhance your overall approach to the game.
Working directly with a qualified instructor provides:
- Immediate, focused feedback
- Accelerated skill development
- Sessions tailored around your learning style
- A positive, enthusiastic and enjoyable training environment
Ideal for individuals, pairs or small groups who want deeper attention and faster progression.
DOUGLAS BARKER
Head Coach
After competing in County and Regional events as a junior player, Douglas qualified as a PTR ‘Pro’ level qualified tennis coach and a LTA Level 3 Accredited + Tennis Coach. (BSC Hons – Sport and Exercise Science, Leeds University). He has gained a lot of experience as a coach and is enthusiastic about helping players of all ages improve their abilities and enjoy their tennis. Douglas is especially passionate about developing the next generation of players. He is excited to be returning to Elstead where it all began for him at the young age of 4, to inspire a new generation of young tennis players. Douglas is available for private lessons, hourly rate £35.
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