Pickleball Club offers beginners instructions on Wednesdays

Every Wednesday at 10 a.m., members of the Leisure World Pickleball Club offer instruction and drills for new players on the courts behind Clubhouse 2. The instruction is sometimes a sizable class where interested players learn basic skills through repeated practice and drills.

Other times the instruction may just be advanced players observing the newer players, offering suggestions regarding paddle position, movement and court position. The instructors encourage new players to drill and learn simple bits of the game: the underhand serve, double bounce rule, volley, scoring and observation of the ball while in play. Instruction also includes rules of the game as well as court etiquette.

All instruction is offered in a welcoming manner in an effort to make new players comfortable on the courts and to encourage play. Paddles and balls are available for use during the classes.

The courts are open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily and are illuminated for evening play. All players are reminded to wear appropriate footwear and to sign in at the table prior to entering the courts. Pickleball is restricted to Leisure World residents.

If people are waiting to play, it is suggested players play one game. Winners stay on the court but split up, new players rotate in, losers go off court and enjoy watching the play. When that game is over, waiting players rotate back in. This way new players can learn from advanced players and everyone gets access to the courts.

—Donna Gambol