This summer, Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) will be running a series of adult pickleball classes on Wednesday afternoons from 2-4 pm between May 20 and August 5, 2026, at its MSCR West facility, located at 7333 West Towne Way, Madison, WI, 53719. These classes did not make it into the original MSCR course catalog, so I offered to help publicize them.
Each class requires a separate registration. You can take one or take them all! Each class will be taught by a professionally certified pickleball instructor. I have posted the classes below, as well as a skill level guide, so you know which, if any, would be appropriate for you.
For all clinics: Please bring water and clean tennis shoes with non-marking soles. Eye protection is encouraged. Paddles and balls will be provided.
To register, go to MSCR.org and then either enter the name of a class below or the number you see below following the name of a class you are interested in. Classes are $15 for Madison residents and $23 for non-residents.
Skill Level Guide
Beginner: New to pickleball or still learning the basic rules, scoring, and fundamental strokes. Limited match experience.
Advanced Beginner: Understands basic rules and scoring, can sustain short rallies, and is working on consistency, court positioning, and shot selection.
Intermediate: Consistent with most basic shots, understands basic strategy and positioning and ready to incorporate more advanced tactics such as shot variation, partner dynamics, and court awareness.
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Pickleball 101: Everything You Need to Know to Start Playing! (Beginners) – 3 Different Dates to Choose From!
May 20 (53074)
June 24 (53705) or
July 22 (53076)
Description:
Let’s learn how to play pickleball! Learn everything you need to know to start playing—whether socially or competitively. We cover the basic rules, scoring, and court positioning, followed by a hands-on introduction to key skills and strategies used in gameplay. Participants also have the opportunity to play a game to practice what they’ve learned.
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May 27 - Serves & Returns (Beginners & Advanced Beginners) (53077)
Build a strong foundation for every point! This clinic covers the rules of legal serving along with techniques to develop more consistent and effective serves. Players learn how to execute purposeful returns that allow them to move confidently to the kitchen line and establish control of the rally. The two-bounce rule and effective court positioning after serving and returning will be reviewed and reinforced through drills and gameplay.
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June 3 - Backhands (Beginners & Advanced Beginners) (53078)
Turn your backhand into a weapon instead of a weakness. This clinic focuses on improving all kinds of backhand shots, including groundstrokes, volleys, dinks, and third-shot drops. Build confidence and consistency so you can handle any shot that comes your way!
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June 10 - Volleying Skills & Strategy (Beginners & Advanced Beginners) (53079)
Win more points with confident, controlled volleys! This clinic covers a variety of volley types—including punch volleys, block volleys, topspin volleys, and angled volleys—along with strategies for effective game play. Learn how to volley more effectively and place the ball with intention to keep your opponents on the defensive.
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Skip June 17 - Training week
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June 24 - Pickleball 101 Beginner (53705) – see description above
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July 1 - Mastering the Soft Game (Beginners & Advanced Beginners) (53081)
Take your game to the next level by learning how to slow things down and play smarter (not harder!). This clinic focuses on third-shot drops, dinks, and volleys, with an emphasis on controlling the pace of play. Learn how to neutralize hard-hitting opponents by keeping the ball in the kitchen and how to use placement and patience to win points strategically.
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July 8 - Adding Spin to Your Game (Advanced Beginners) (53082)
Learn how spin can transform your shots! This clinic covers the fundamentals of topspin and underspin (slice), including when and why to use each. Topspin can add control and margin to aggressive shots, while underspin can disrupt your opponent’s rhythm.
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July 15 - Stacking & Poaching (Intermediate) (53083)
Elevate your doubles strategy with advanced court positioning and partner dynamics. This clinic discusses stacking—an alternative court positioning strategy often used to maximize partner strengths, such as when one player is left-handed or has a more-dominant forehand. Learn when and how to poach effectively to pressure and frustrate your opponents and take control of the rally.
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July 22 - Pickleball 101 Beginner (53076) – see description above
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July 29 - Lobs & Overheads (Beginners & Advanced Beginners) (53084)
Add variety and confidence to your game with lobs and overheads! Learn when and how to send up effective lobs, as well as proper overhead technique for winning more points. Get tips on safe footwork, so you can track and hit overheads without putting yourself at risk of falling. Partner communication and court positioning when defending against lobs are also discussed.
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August 5 - Drives & Drops (Advanced Beginners) (53085)
Not sure when to drive versus drop? This clinic breaks down the decision-making behind third-shot selection. Learn when to use a powerful drive versus a controlled drop and develop the techniques to execute both shots effectively. Great for players looking to add strategy, versatility, and intention to their game.
