Relish

Learn pickleball, one lesson at a time

Follow a Path from lesson to lesson, or look up a Fundamental of control and find the lessons that train it.

Start here

Beginner foundations comes first. Take one lesson at a time.

Start with Rules of Pickleball

Paths

A Path is a list of lessons to take in order.

Beginner foundations

5 lessons

Build the foundations first. There’s no need to rush.

  1. 1Rules of PickleballLearn enough to join your first game. We’ll walk through the court, a rally, and the score.
  2. 2Paddle GripStart with how the paddle feels in your hand. A comfortable continental grip and a relaxed hold give you a simple foundation for the shots ahead.
  3. 3Serves (1st Shot)Your first goal is simple: start the rally legally and put the ball in the correct service court. Give yourself plenty of room over the net.
  4. 4Serve Returns (2nd Shot)Give yourself space to see the bounce, then send an easy forehand back over the net. For your first practice, ask your partner to serve gently toward your forehand.
  5. 5After the Serve (3rd Shot)You’ve served. Now give the return room to bounce before you hit the next shot.

Fundamentals of control

5 lessons

Control makes every shot easier. Build it one part at a time.

  1. 1Control firstControl is the idea behind every lesson here. See what it means, why more of it lets you attack more safely, and which Fundamental fixes what.
  2. 2Prepare earlyGet your body, feet and paddle ready before the ball arrives, read it early, and recover after every shot. That gives you the time to make the simple shot easy.
  3. 3Space and footworkGive yourself room to play a controlled shot. See how your feet create that space, how balance keeps it through contact, and why room in front of you means cleaner contact.
  4. 4Timing the bounceWhen you hit a ball after it bounces changes your time, your options and your opponent’s time. Learn the four windows and why the top of the bounce is the one to aim for.
  5. 5The five gripsLearn the five grips: continental, eastern forehand, eastern backhand, semi-western and western. See where each sits on the handle, what each is for, and why continental is the one to use most.

The control map

Control is the idea behind every lesson: control of your body, the ball and the flow of the game. It is made of 14 Fundamentals in two areas. Open one to see what it means and which lessons train it.

Positioning / Preparation

Where you are, and how ready, before you swing. Get ready so the shot is easy.

Mechanics / Execution

The swing itself. Swing simply.