Lesson 1: Dinking

Why is hitting the ball soft sometimes more effective than hitting it hard?

Non-Volley Zone (NVZ): The 7-foot area on both sides of the net where volleying is prohibited; commonly called "The Kitchen."

Dink: A soft shot hit on a bounce from the NVZ intended to land in the opponent's NVZ.

Unforced Error: A missed shot that was entirely within the player’s control (hitting into the net or out of bounds).

1.12.1 Demonstrates activity-specific movement skills in a variety of lifetime sports and activities.

DOK 2: How would you contrast the paddle angle of a dink versus a baseline drive?

DOK 3: What is the tactical relationship between a short dink and your opponent's court positioning?

Pickleball is often called a "social equalizer." In real life, it mirrors the importance of patience, strategic positioning, and communication. Just as a player must wait for the right moment to transition from a defensive "dink" to an offensive "smash," life requires the ability to remain calm under pressure and recognize when to take a calculated risk. The game’s emphasis on doubles play fosters teamwork and conflict resolution—skills that are directly transferable to the workplace and personal relationships.

Students will be separated by skill level on courts(beginners/intermediate)

Students will demonstrate a proper "dink" shot landing the ball in the Non-Volley Zone.

• Hardware: 24–30 Graphite/Composite paddles, 6–8 portable nets, 40+ indoor pickleballs.

• Court Prep: Painter’s tape (for the NVZ "Kitchen" line), cones for target practice.

• Admin: Clipboards, scorecards, whistles, and a whiteboard for tournament seeding.

• Safety: First aid kit and recommended protective eyewear.