This marks the fifth installment in a six-part series where we delve into the Quality Standards. These standards are integral to Canada’s pickleball instructor certification course, a joint effort between Pickleball Canada and Tennis Canada. The originator of the concept, Wayne Elderton, stands as one of Canada’s leading coaching authorities. I would posit that regardless of the sport you impart knowledge in— or even if your teachings occur within a classroom environment— the application of Quality Standards holds the potential for significant benefits.

When people attend pickleball clinics, they want to improve their game. They desire a better serve and a more effective return. They aim to master their drop shot once and for all. They aspire to learn how to use and handle spin, and they want to finally grasp how to stack while keeping track of the score. They want to IMPROVE!

But they also want to make friends. At the very minimum, it would be nice to develop some new social connections. This desire should not be overlooked by a coach.

Why?

Human beings are social creatures; they want to have others around them. And while this can happen in the coffee shop, at a book club, or at a concert, it also happens on the pickleball court. In fact, I would argue that socializing is one of the main reasons pickleball has grown the way it has. Group pickleball sessions can be a great way to develop meaningful social connections while learning to play a fun game.

How?

There are a few practical things that coaches can do to build social connections in their lessons. First, they can create common goals the players get to work on together. This can include how many times they can volley the ball back and forth from the non-volley zone; how many deep returns or well-placed serves the group can make in a given period of time; races between teams or courts, etc. You can create challenges that pairs work on together or set a goal that a court of four tries to achieve before another court does. These kinds of common tasks are a great way to connect players with each other.

Another easy way to help players make friends is to use rotations frequently. Rather than keeping players segregated to one court or another, use a rotation system so the players mix fairly frequently. It’s harder to become friends with someone if you’re never hitting a ball with them!

Finally, think of a way to connect the players even when they’re off the court. Invite people to share contact information with one another. Create an online forum or a group chat where players can plan their practice sessions or games with each other. And if you work with a large number of players, consider hosting an event every couple of weeks or once a month that brings people together.

Being a strong coach has a lot to do with your ability to teach. But it also has to do with your ability to connect people to each other. By being thoughtful and deliberate, you can help your players develop friendships and grow their social circle on and off the pickleball court.

Written By: Mark Renneson