[Pamela1130]

Is there a place in the Villages where there is real beginner pickleball sessions where everyone is actually a beginner? Thanks!

[Prpcmom]

Go to Pickleball Community Volunteer Group and look for Instructional Program, then Intro to PB. Then click on On Court Class Schedule. The second page of this document has a schedule of all Beginner Open Play in The Villages. Play is supposed to be at the beginner level at each of those locations. There are morning and afternoon sessions every day, throughout The Villages. Have fun!

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by Prpcmom

Go to Pickleball Community Volunteer Group and look for Instructional Program, then Intro to PB. Then click on On Court Class Schedule. The second page of this document has a schedule of all Beginner Open Play in The Villages. Play is supposed to be at the beginner level at each of those locations. There are morning and afternoon sessions every day, throughout The Villages. Have fun!

Great advice. Let me add that you must sign up for the Intro to Pickleball class. I highly recommend taking the class for all beginners. All your questions about pickleball in TV will be answered.

[Topspinmo]

Time slots all over villages dedicated beginner time (course they always few that shouldn’t be there and like to hover over beginners). (But remember they maybe beginners also just more advanced). As suggested you should attend beginners tutorials classes 101, 102, and 103 to learn basics. If you have never played racket sport before it’s going to take while to be able to develop strokes and strategies. Utube video’s can also help refine a more advanced stroke. Then it’s all about practice and play. Don’t get discouraged by advanced players shunning you. If you are physically able it my take while to advance up latter. If you like it stick with, it will come.

[Altavia]

Here's a calendar that may be helpful;

Calendar | Pickleball Community Volunteer Group

[Pamela1130]

Originally Posted by Prpcmom

Go to Pickleball Community Volunteer Group and look for Instructional Program, then Intro to PB. Then click on On Court Class Schedule. The second page of this document has a schedule of all Beginner Open Play in The Villages. Play is supposed to be at the beginner level at each of those locations. There are morning and afternoon sessions every day, throughout The Villages. Have fun!

Thank you. Suppose to be at the beginners level, but aren't. That's why I was asking if anyone has gone to a beginners and there were really all beginners there.

[bowlingal]

rec centers offer classes. Go to one and sign up. Sign ups take effect 1 week before the class. But, hurry, because the classes fill up quickly.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Pamela1130

Thank you. Suppose to be at the beginners level, but aren't. That's why I was asking if anyone has gone to a beginners and there were really all beginners there.

Some beginners are surprisingly good, either because of natural athletic ability, or experience with similar racket sports. All of the various skill level designations will have a spectrum of ability within the group.
Many players are hesitant to move up a level for a variety of reasons, so you may think they are good enough to be at the next level, but maybe they don't. They may have tried it and found it too advanced for them.

How long have you been playing? Have you attended the beginner clinics and classes?

[Prpcmom]

Originally Posted by Pamela1130

Thank you. Suppose to be at the beginners level, but aren't. That's why I was asking if anyone has gone to a beginners and there were really all beginners there.

PCVG recognizes this is an issue. Once upon a time, folks learning to play pickleball went to the beginner open play sessions at the rec center near them, met others and made friends, they love the location and playing with the same people so they never moved on, even though they were no longer beginners. If these people are willing to help you as you learn to play the game and avoid slamming the ball at you as you try to learn to NOT pop up the ball, I’m ok if they stay but aggressive play doesn’t belong at beginner open play.

My recommendation is to go, and while waiting in line, tell the others that you are a beginner and are looking for others that will help you as you learn the game. Then, get on the court with people who are agreeable. If they then slam the ball at you, or otherwise treat you badly, stop the game and ask them if they didn’t understand and if they aren’t willing to work with you, walk off the court, yes, in the middle of the game. Go back to the line and find others who are willing to play nice. We’ll never get these aggressive folks to move on if we keep letting them take over beginner open play.

I’ve been told it hasn’t been as much of a problem south of 44 because those courts haven’t been around as long so people haven’t formed habits over many years. Try a different location, you should be able to find the true beginners with a little trial and error.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Pamela1130

Thank you. Suppose to be at the beginners level, but aren't. That's why I was asking if anyone has gone to a beginners and there were really all beginners there.

No. Explain, beginners has several different levels and avenues of beginning. If You had high level of table tennis, tennis, racketball, baseball, basketball, ect… all have eye and hand coordination so those with that high level background going to advance quickly and only need basics and rules. Now if have someone that’s never play any sports they have to develop eye and hand coordination, how to hold paddle, different grips, vision how to stroke ball, and develop stroke that can get ball over the net. Even getting ball over net without pop up even harder. So, you can go to classes but boils down to practice and learning sport techniques stroking ball and strategy where to stand, when to come in and how serve get ball in court. Once you come close to mastering that you can now work on advancing strokes to play at higher level. You ask how do I get this? practice. Go to beginner times, eventually work up to advanced beginner times, and then regular open times. IMO there really no other way other than private lessons, but eventually you will still have join the crowd of all different levels. The highest level of recreational players spend hours day practicing to be able to compete at that level.

[maistocars]

Eisenhower, Mondays and Fridays 10-12.

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by maistocars

Eisenhower, Mondays and Fridays 10-12.

Very true, gets loads of people who never played before and made no effort to learn before getting on the court. I heard back in the day it was almost a requirement to take the 101 class before stepping out to play.