Greenville, NC
Home MenuAdult Pickleball
What is Pickleball?
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America. The game combines elements of tennis, ping-pong and badminton. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players.
New players are always welcome. If you are interested in playing, you can sign-up for open play, bring your athletic shoes and paddle and we will give you a crash course on how to play. You can also take a Pickleball Clinic and learn the game in a non-intimidating environment with instructors who will spend quality time teaching you how to play. The video below is a good introduction to the game.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How to Play Pickleball
Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court: 20’ x 44.’ The ball is served diagonally (starting with the right-hand service-square), and points can only be scored by the side that serves.
Players on each side must let the ball bounce once before volleys are allowed, and there is a seven-foot no-volley zone on each side of the net, to prevent “spiking.” The server continues to serve, alternating service courts, until he or she faults. The first side scoring eleven points and leading by at least two points wins. Pickleball can be played as a doubles game or singles game.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How to Get Involved
Beginner Pickleball Clinics
This is a four-week intermediate clinic to progress pickleball skills held in the Boyd Lee Park gymnasium. Skills covered include serving, returning, drop shots, transitioning, contact consistency and ball spinning.
Days, Dates, Times:
422021.07 Tues & Thurs Mar 7 - 30 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
422021.02 Tues & Thurs Apr 4 – 27 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM
422021.03 Tues & Thurs May 2 – 25 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM
Fee: $30; $20 Greenville Resident
Registration Info: Participants must register online at GreenvilleNC.gov or in-person at any recreation facility. For information please call (252) 329-4550 or email dtaylor@greenvillenc.gov.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Glow Pickleball
Ever wonder what pickleball would be like at night? Come find out as we play glow in the dark pickleball! Wear neon clothing and listen to some 80’s throwbacks.
323006.01
Saturday, February 18 7 PM – 10 PM
Fee: $10
Register at any recreation facility or online between Dec. 18 and Feb 14. For information please call the Athletic office at (252) 329-4550.
_________________________________________________________________________
Intermediate Pickleball Clinics
This is a four-week intermediate clinic to progress pickleball skills. Skills covered include serving, returning, drop shots, transitioning, contact consistency and ball spinning.
Days, Dates, Times:
422021.04
Mon & Wed Mar 6 – 29 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM
422021.05
Mon & Wed Apr 4 – 27 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM
422021.06 Tues & Thurs May 2 – 25 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM
Asterisk Denotes: Sports Connection location.
Fee: $30; $20 Greenville Resident
Registration Info: Participants must register online at GreenvilleNC.gov or in-person at any recreation facility. For information please call (252) 329-4550 or email dtaylor@greenvillenc.gov.
_________________________________________________________________________
Pickleball Leagues
Dedicated doubles pairs will compete in a 10 game Round Robin play season. In the early afternoon, a 50+ Coed Pickleball League will take place. In the evening, an 18+ Coed Pickleball League will take place. Teams will play best 2 out of 3 matches with a match being won by reaching 11, by 2. Players should be prepared to play a maximum of 6 matches per day, and allow for up to 3-hours at the indoor courts at Sports Connection. Registration is limited.
322045.01 50+ League Tues & Thurs March 14 - April 18 12 PM – 3 PM
322045.02 18+ League Tues & Thurs March 14 - April 18 6 PM – 9 PM
No play April 6, 2023.
Fee: $45, Discounted Greenville Resident: $30
Players must register online at GreenvilleNC.gov or in-person at any recreation facility. For information please visit GreenvilleNC.gov, call (252) 329-4699 or email cmcfarland@greenvillenc.gov.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pickleball Lessons 
Individuals can schedule private pickleball lessons by appointment only. Individuals can schedule private pickleball lessons by appointment only.
To schedule a lesson, please contact Daniel Taylor at dtaylor@greenvillenc.gov or 252-329-4268.
Fee per individual: $30; Discounted Greenville Resident Fee: $20
One Hour Group Fees: $60; Discounted Greenville Resident Fee: $40
_________________________________________________________________________
Pickleball Open Play Pass
Pickleball play among participants designed to execute game strategies and techniques in doubles play while receiving feedback from staff.
322031.01* Mon – Thurs Nov 15 – Feb 28 12 PM - 3 PM
Tues & Thurs Nov 15 – Feb 28 6 PM - 8 PM
422023.01 Mon – Thurs Mar 6 – May 25 (No May 3) 12 PM - 3PM
Mon & Wed Mar 6 – May 25 6 PM - 8 PM
122024.01* Mon – Thurs June 5 - Aug 31 (No June 19, July 3-4) 12 PM – 3 PM
Tues & Thurs June 5 - Aug 31 (No June 19, July 3-4, 10-13, 17-20) 6 PM – 8PM
Asterisk Denotes: Sports Connection location.
Fee: $30, Discounted Greenville Resident: $20
Players must register online at GreenvilleNC.gov or in-person at any recreation facility. For information please visit GreenvilleNC.gov, call (252) 329-4550 or email dtaylor@greenvillenc.gov.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Greenville Pickleball Open
Organized competitive tournament of the fastest growing sport in the United States. The doubles tournament will offer beginner (3.0 & below) and intermediate/advanced (3.5 & above) skill divisions within each men’s, women’s, and mixed event. Each team will have a 4 game guarantee with each division consisting of round robin play with all teams advancing into bracket play. Participants must register with a partner.
423004.01 Men’s Beginner April 29
423004.02 Women’s Beginner April 29
423004.03 Mixed Beginner April 29
423004.04 Men’s Intermediate/Advanced April 30
423004.05 Women’s Intermediate/Advanced April 30
423004.06 Mixed Intermediate/Advanced April 30
Fee: $30 per player/per event
Register at any Greenville Recreation and Parks facility or online at greenvillenc.gov between February 23 and April 20. For more information, please contact the Athletic Office at (252) 329-4550.
_________________________________________________________________________
Pickleball Resources
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Strategy Resources
There are endless online resources for helping you gain new skills and knowledge to make you a smarter and better Pickleball player. One place to start your learning is to visit the “Learning to Play” section of the United States of America Pickleball Association (USAPA) website. It’s also a good idea to brush up on the “Official Rules” (.pdf)
Coach Mo is a long-time tennis coach who now teaches people how to play Pickleball. His “Pickleball Strategy Guide” (.pdf) is a must-read for novice to advanced players.
One of the best ways to improve your game is to watch instructional videos on YouTube. There are lots of them. (Probably too many of them.) Below are five quality videos that address important elements to improve your Pickleball game. Enjoy.
Hitting Groundstrokes
Dinking
Third Shot Drop
Tips for Seniors
100 Strategies for Advanced Players
Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.
Windows Media Player
Word Viewer
Excel Viewer
PowerPoint Viewer
