With its easy-to-learn rules, low-impact nature, and great community, pickleball is an excellent choice for people looking to get outside.
If you’ve been wanting to try it out but don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a friendly 30-day challenge to help you get from the couch to the courts.
Why should I try pickleball?
Before we dive into the challenge, let’s talk about why pickleball is such a great sport for beginners:
-
Easy to learn: Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, but the rules are simpler and the court is smaller.
-
Low-impact: The sport is easy on the joints, making it suitable for all fitness levels.
-
Social: Pickleball is a great way to meet new people and be part of a welcoming community.
What you’ll need to get started
Before starting your 30-day journey, you’ll need a few essentials:
-
A paddle: The SLK by Selkirk line offers several beginner-friendly paddles, with lightweight designs that are easy to maneuver while offering excellent control and ample power.
-
A ball: Pickleball uses a plastic ball with holes. You can find these at most sporting goods stores or online, but to help in your journey, it's best to purchase pickleball balls specifically designed for the game to avoid inconsistent bounce.
-
Court access: You'll need a local pickleball court, which can be found at community centers, parks, or private clubs. Use this tool to find a court near you.
-
Comfortable shoes: A pair of court shoes with lateral support is ideal for pickleball, so you can avoid injuries.
Your 30-day challenge: Step-by-step
Once you have your gear, it's time to get on the court. For those who would like to get better quickly, challenge yourself to follow this 30-day guide.
Week 1: Get comfortable with your paddle and court
Week one should be focused on building a comfort level with the court, your gear, and the rules.
Day 1-3: Learn the basics
-
Familiarize yourself with the rules: Pickleball rules are simple. You’ll need to learn the basics, such as serving, scoring, and the different strokes. Check out our guide on the five basic rules of pickleball for a deeper dive.
-
Practice your grip: Learn how to properly grip the paddle. The correct grip will help you generate power while maintaining control. Start with the “Eastern Grip” to keep things simple.
Day 4-7: Work on your strokes
-
Forehand and backhand: Spend some time practicing your forehand and backhand strokes against a wall or with a partner.
- Dink vs drop vs drive: The basic shots in pickleball, learn the difference, and begin to get familiar with the execution of each.
Week 2: Focus on footwork and serves
Once you're familiar with the basics, it's time to improve the fundamentals that can accelerate your growth.
Day 8-10: Footwork drills
-
Good footwork is key in pickleball. Work on moving quickly and efficiently to the ball. Try simple footwork drills to improve your agility and the split step for reaction time.
Day 11-14: Practice your serve
-
Serving is essential in pickleball. Start practicing your pickleball serve, aiming to make it as deep to the baseline as possible. Check out this video for tips to improve your serve.
Week 3: Play your first game
Sure, you've likely played a game by now. But once you've spent time practicing the basics, you can begin playing with a purpose.
Day 15-17: Join a pick-up game
-
It’s time to put what you’ve learned into practice. Head to a local open play with other beginners to test out what you've learned. Remember, pickleball is all about having fun, so don’t stress about making mistakes.
Day 18-21: Work on communication
-
Pickleball is a doubles game most of the time. Practice communicating with your partner, whether it’s calling for the ball or letting them know you’ve got it.
Week 4: Refine your game
After you play in your first couple of matches, take note of the areas of your game that caused issues. For many beginners, it's difficult to get to the kitchen line or know which shots to use at what times.
Day 22-24: Improve your dink
-
The dink shot is one of the most important shots in pickleball. And for many, it can be challenging to know when to let the ball bounce or when to volley dink.
Day 25-28: Focus on strategy
-
Pickleball is as much about strategy as it is about skill. Focus on positioning, shot selection, and predicting where your opponent will be.
Day 29-30: Play with Confidence
-
By the end of the month, you should feel confident on the court. Play with different partners, try new strategies, and have fun. The more you play, the better you’ll get.
Keep Improving with SLK by Selkirk
The SLK by Selkirk paddles are designed with beginners in mind, providing the ideal combination of power, control, and comfort to help you improve quickly.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking to take your game to the next level, these paddles are the perfect choice.
