Guided Play has ended for 2020 and will resume early May 2021

Guided Play (GP) is an educational program for newer pickleball players that have become PPPA members.  GP allows them to receive instruction from a more advanced player to improve their skills (serve, soft game at net, scoring, rules of the game, 3rd shot “drop shot,”  volleys, lob, etc.). GP also creates an opportunity to meet and play with a variety of PPPA players.

Please email Sherry Fairchild, Education and Training Director, at sdfairchild@mac.com if you are interested in participating in GP. Please note your skill level (1, 2 or 3) and the day and date you plan to participate. A confirmation will be emailed to you.  Skill level descriptions are posted below to help you determine your appropriate GP skill level of a 1, 2 or 3.  If you are uncertain, your instructor can also assist you in determining your appropriate skill level. 

Guided Play LOCATION:  All GP lessons are at Monument Valley Park (MVP), Colorado Springs  

Guided Play TIMES:  

•       Sundays 2-3 pm at MVP and will resume May 2021
•       Tuesdays 2-3 pm at MVP will resume May 2021

Due to COVID there are RESTRICTIONS

• Guided Play  will be limited to 12 students on a reservation only basis; no walk-ins will be able to participate
• Interested students must make a reservation by emailing Sherry Fairchild @ sdfairchild@mac.com
• Three courts and three instructors at each session
• Check-in will begin at 1:45 p.m. and all participants will be required to sign the PPPA general Waiver & a COVID waiver
• Participants’ temperatures will be checked before play begins
• Students and instructors are asked to bring their own mask and sanitizer
• PPPA will provide sanitized balls for the session

Guided Play Skill Levels

 Level 1:  (2.0 skill level)

• Has had at least one lesson and is a member of PPPA
• Is a new player with minimal knowledge of the game and the rules
• Has played a few games and is learning the court lines, scoring and basic rules of the game.
• Demonstrates the basic strokes – forehand, backhand, volley and the serve—but needs improvement on each of these strokes.

 Level 2:  (2.5 skill level)

• Drills to include serve deep, return deep, controlled dinking
• Makes longer lasting slow-paced rallies
• Beginning to approach the non-volley zone to hit volleys
• Aware of the “soft game”
• Knowledge of the rules has improved
• Court coverage has improved.

Level 3:  (3.0 skill level)

• Drills: third-shot drop, lobs
• Court coverage (covering the middle, covering the lines, playing together)
• Demonstrates improved control when trying for direction, depth and power on shots
• Needs to develop variety with shots