At PickleBarn University, we work on helping you develop a complete game at every level rather than just working on individual skills. Our Curriculum-based approach allows players at all levels to evaluate and improve their current skill level and graduate to a new level - with new challenges - once they achieve mastery at their current skill level.
Skills focus by level
Freshmen (DUPR up to 2.5)
At this beginner level, the focus is on understanding the game's flow and keeping the ball in play. The essential skills include:
Rules and Serving: Knowing the rules, keeping score correctly, and hitting the serve consistently.
Basic Rallies: Sustaining a slow-paced rally for 4 to 6 shots.
Fundamental Strokes: Making most easy volleys, introducing backhands, and developing basic shot strokes.
Court Awareness: Familiarizing yourself with proper court positioning in doubles and becoming aware of the "soft game" (dinking).
Seniors 3.5 to 4.0
Sophomores are building consistency and beginning to experiment with pickleball-specific strategies. Important skills include:
Increased Consistency: Achieving a 75% success rate on serves and returns, especially against medium-paced balls.
Shot Placement: Demonstrating improved dependability with basic strokes, though players may still lack complete control over direction, depth, or power.
Introduction to Specialty Shots: Beginning to attempt lobs and dinks, while learning when and why they should be used.
Third Shot Concepts: Understanding the basics of 3rd shot strategies, even if drops and drives cannot yet be executed consistently.
Sophomore (DUPR 2.51 to 3.0)
Junior (DUPR 3.01 to 3.5)
Juniors are transitioning from reactive play to intentional strategy, learning to handle pace and defend effectively. Essential skills include:
Directional Control: Hitting dependable strokes with directional control on medium-paced and some faster-paced balls.
Spin and Power: Beginning to learn how to use forehand topspin on baseline shots (drives and drops) and non-volley zone (NVZ) volleys.
Defensive Mastery: Learning how to defend at the NVZ, which includes executing defensive drops and resets.
Anticipation and Aggression: Beginning to anticipate the opponent's shots and exhibiting more aggressive play at the net.
Seniors are advanced players who win through consistency, strategic patience, and teamwork. The defining skills at this level include:
Dependable Depth and Direction: Hitting highly consistent strokes with directional control and depth on both the forehand and backhand.
Pace Control: Effectively using dinks and drop shots to slow down or completely change the pace of a fast game.
Advanced 3rd Shot Execution: Demonstrating reliable 3rd shot strategies, knowing when to use drop shots, fast-paced drives, or lobs.
Weaponizing Spin and Teamwork: Beginning to master power and spin to force errors, while demonstrating highly coordinated teamwork and aggressive net play in doubles.
Location
Picklebarn University is located in West Indianapolis.
Address
183 Jefferson Vly, Coatesville, IN 46121
Hours
7 AM to 11PM - By appointment only