Pickleball is an invigorating hybrid paddle sport of table tennis and tennis on the size of a badminton court. It is fun for all ages and exceptionally "social" in nature! The benefits of pickleball are endless. More and more people have discovered the fun and benefits that pickleball brings. In a recent study, playing pickleball has been shown to reduce blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, Hand-eye coordination, agility, balance, and increased energy. But, most of all, it’s fun! These exciting clinics will be taught by a professional Pickleball Coach, Bill Tennant, AKA "Pickle-BILL". Bill came highly recommended to us from multiple sources to coach pickleball clinics for OCE&R. Bill has worked with over one thousand pickleball students, ranging from 7 years of age to 93 from never holding a paddle to high-level competitive pickleball athletes in Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida. NOTE: ALL SESSIONS will run rain or shine and ALL EQUIPMENT will be provided. ALL classes are limited to an 8:1 student to teacher ratio so that students are provided quality hands-on instructional time. DESCRIPTION OF PICKLEBALL LEVELS: We want to ensure that our weekly classes are run with other players of similar level to create the best learning experience for all. Please carefully read the descriptions on our website to see where you best fit in. Please note: that the instructor may adjust your level ranking. Pickle 101: Introduction: An intro to pickleball. No previous experience necessary. If you have taken a workshop/clinic, and have started playing but not been playing frequently, this class works well for you. Although all equipment will be supplied, it is asked after the first class to do your best in obtaining your own paddle. Our pro “Pickleball Bill” will help provide suggestions / recommendations. You will learn and introduction to basic fundamentals including the grip, stance, footwork, basic dinking, how to serve and return, etc. Pickle 102: Designed for ANY students who have already taken the Pickle-Bill’s Level 101 and 101+ and have a minimum of 6 months in frequent recreation play 2x+/week. This class will only give a small recap from 101+ and will then start to focus more on playing the game while working on the 3rd and 5th shots to successfully transition to the NVZ line. It is also meant to build confidence in the basics, and by the end of this level, participants will have now learned some basic court positioning and hitting strategies, completed footwork drills, along with the concepts of “firefighting” and how to come out on top! Pickle 102 Prerequisites: Taken a combo of 3+ (Pickle 101/101+ series of classes) based on student’s needs. Have been playing 6+months of rec. play at least 2x/week. Consistently serve and return 80% or more in play and can keep accurate score. Are fully comfortable on both backhand and forehand shots from anywhere on the court. Mastered Pickle-Bill’s first four basic solo drills on the forehand and backhand, with 100 consistent repetitions in each of the four drills. Pickle 201: Designed for players who have been playing consistently for a good 9+ months and have a developed backhand and forehand from anywhere on the court. This player already understand the rules and can keep accurate scoring. We will work on fundamentals of proper technique and technical parameters for developing a strong forehand, backhand, volley (hitting out of the air), developing footwork, effective blocking and absorption drills; hitting consistent serves, returns, 3rd shot drops, drives, and learning the “dink” game and how to maintain rallies and stay in the point. Pickle 201 Prerequisites: Completed “intro to pickleball 101”, and “beginner plus pickleball 102”, and/or have played consistently for over 1 year, understand the rules, and can keep accurate score. Can move around the court in a balanced, safe manner with PROPER and consistent footwork (shuffling/hops/lunging/etc) Can serve off a bounce or toss and gets 90% (or close to) in. Can maintain a rally consistently of 10+ touches. Consistently employs the concept of tethering in his/her game for court coverage. Very comfortable with both the backhand and forehand groundstrokes from the baseline and can return serves 75% of the time in play using either backhand or forehand.

We are excited to partner with Nikki Mercer to offer tennis lessons for beginners, and intermediate/experienced players. Nikki is an experienced local tennis player and coach. She is the current varsity head coach at Shaker Heights High School, her alma mater, and a member of the University School coaching staff in the spring. Nikki has previously coached at Hathaway Brown, Hawken School, University School (middle school), and the Cleveland Skating Club. It doesn't matter if you have never played before, have a little bit of experience and are just looking to improve on the fundamentals, or are an experienced player looking to improve your game, all are welcome and will be able to improve their game. Lessons will take place on Saturday mornings; and will include quality hands-on instruction to all. Players must supply their own racquets.