This article concludes our six-part series on Quality Standards, a cornerstone of Canada's pickleball instructor certification course, developed collaboratively by Pickleball Canada and Tennis Canada. Wayne Elderton, a pioneering figure in Canadian coaching, introduced this groundbreaking concept. I firmly believe that whether you're educating in sports or a classroom setting, integrating Quality Standards can yield substantial advantages.

Whether you're a seasoned coach or a novice instructor, one thing remains constant: the importance of making pickleball lessons fun. While technical skill development and understanding strategy are essential, injecting an element of fun into the learning process can be the difference between average lessons and great ones. Let’s talk about why it is crucial that pickleball lessons prioritize fun.

Sustained Motivation

Fun is a powerful motivator. When people enjoy what they're doing, they are more likely to stick with it and remain committed to improving their skills. In the context of pickleball, this means that players who have fun during lessons are more likely to continue playing and striving to become better. Long-term commitment to the sport leads to increased proficiency and a stronger pickleball community. And it also means that your players are more likely to keep coming back to the lessons you are offering.

Enhanced Learning

Fun and learning go hand in hand. Engaging, enjoyable lessons are more effective in transmitting knowledge and skills. When your students are having fun, they are more attentive, receptive and willing to participate actively. In pickleball, this translates to quicker skill acquisition, better retention, and a deeper understanding of the nuances of the things being taught in the lesson.

Stress Reduction

Pickleball – even recreational pickleball –  can induce stress. People can be nervous about underperforming or ‘looking bad’ in front of others.  But when lessons are designed to be fun and enjoyable, stress levels are reduced and people can just play. Afterall, pickleball is a game and games should be fun! Lower stress means that players can focus better on the techniques and strategies they are trying to develop.This can lead to improved performance which, in turn, can add even more fun! It also fosters a more positive learning environment where players are more likely to take risks, learn from their mistakes, and grow as athletes.

Building a Strong Community

Pickleball is more than just a sport; it's a community. Fun lessons attract newcomers and also foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie among players. Socializing and making friends through pickleball enhances the overall experience which is important since a strong pickleball community is vital for the sport's growth and sustainability. 

Encouraging Creativity

Creativity is an essential aspect of any sport, including pickleball.  Fun lessons encourage players to think outside the box and experiment. When players are invited to have fun and be creative, they can discover innovative ways to approach the game. This creativity can lead to a richer, more diverse playing style and contribute to the sport's development.

Improved Physical Fitness

Pickleball lessons that prioritize fun also tend to be more physically engaging. Engaging in enjoyable activities during lessons makes players forget that they're exercising. As a result, they become more active, improve their fitness levels, and are more likely to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Fun lessons indirectly promote better physical health, which is a significant benefit of playing pickleball.

How to Increase the Fun Factor

Here are a few simple things you can do as a coach to make pickleball lessons fun:

1. Set the Tone. How you speak to people influences how they feel. Bring a light, energetic and welcoming tone to the courts and your players are more likely to respond similarly. 

2. Contests vs Competition. For many people, the word competition can induce stress. Think of how many people say “oh. I’m not competitive. I just want to have fun”. On the other hand, everyone loves a contest! Consider re-framing your challenges as contests and watch more people enjoy them.

3. Adjust Challenge. Activities that are too hard won’t be fun. But neither will activities that are too easy. Look for the sweet spot of 60%-70% success and your players will more likely enjoy themselves.

4. Maintain Perspective. People can get pretty intense about their pickleball – and that’s ok. But what’s not ok is if that intensity starts to diminish the experience of that player or others in the group. Keep an eye out for when things seem to be going off the rails and if they do, find a way to make a correction. A great (or horrible) joke can help. So can a fun or silly pickleball activity that only lasts a minute but disrupts the negative vibes. Be creative. Have fun with it!

Connecting Fun to the Other Quality Standards

This article is one of a series where we discussed the Quality Standards that are used in Canada's Pickleball Instructor Certification Program. Fun is a critical part of running great pickleball sessions, but so are the others: Active Participation; a Caring Instructor; Optimal Challenge; Improvement; Making Friends. When coaches can integrate all of these standards and make it fun, they are running high-quality lessons that their players are sure to enjoy. We think that this is a goal all instructors – whether in the pickleball world or not – would do well to aim for.  

Written by: Mark Renneson