Pickleball coaching
Our coaching sessions are run by Level 1 (Club Instructor) Pickleball England qualified coaches. We are fully insured and enhanced DBS checked. All locations are risk assessed.
Our sessions are designed to develop pickleball skills as well as core areas of child development.
Find out more about our core areas of development in the about section.
Smashers
Tuesdays 18.45-19.45
Taster: 17 Mar - 7 Apr
Bishop Fox’s School Sports Hall
Check our FAQS, special launch price of £35 for 4 sessions
Bishop Fox’s
Servers & Volleys
Mondays 17.00-18.00
Spring: 12 Jan - 31 Mar (no lesson 16 Feb)
Summer: 27 Apr - 13 Jul (no lesson 4 or 25 May)
Blackbrook Leisure Centre
Picklers
4-5 YRS
This program introduces the foundational skills of pickleball using foam balls, smaller nets and courts. Play is the name of the game.
Players learn the basics of movement, ball skills, balance, hand-eye coordination and paddle introduction, including the correct grip. They learn basic pickleball rules and start experimenting with the ball and paddle.
Players learn to use new pickleball vocabulary and are encouraged to work together with others. This includes sharing, showing kindness and taking turns with their peers.
Dinkers
5-7 YRS
Dinkers get more serious about the game as they start to work on their paddle skills, making contact with the ball and getting the ball over the net.
Fundamentals are introduced such as the ready position, movement and split steps as well as the pendulum swing. Fun drills are also introduced such as ‘pancake flippers’. Games and fun remain at the top of the list whilst learning to respect the game, ourselves and others.
Servers
7-9 YRS
Servers expand their skills to develop specific strokes such as the serve, return of serve and long dinks. Awareness of position on the court and team-play is taught and encouraged.
Partnering players to drill strokes and communicate with each other is more common in this group. Fun games are used to encourage teamwork and also foster healthy competition with others in a respectful and confident way.
Volleys
9-11 YRS
Whilst building on previous skills learnt, Volleys are introduced to the volley, the block volley, the lob and the smash. There is more focus on strategic play. Scoring is introduced and mini matches played.
Confidence is encouraged by setting goals that are relevant to level of skill. Leadership skills are developed by encouraging them to help younger players and leading a group in drills and doubles games.
SMASHERS
11+ YRS
Our Smashers program is designed for pre-teens and teens ready to jump into the world’s fastest-growing sport—whether they’ve picked up a paddle before or are brand new to the court. These sessions blend high-energy fun with the essential skills of the game, taking players from their first Serve to their first Tournament.
From mastering the "art of the Dink" at the Kitchen line to learning how to navigate the Transition Zone, Smashers is all about gaining confidence through play. It’s a social, fast-paced environment where players can get active, make new friends, and learn how to turn a defensive Reset into a winning Smash!
coaching FAQS
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We offer something for every age! Our core programme is designed for those in Primary School (Ages 4–11), divided into our signature groups: Picklers, Dinkers, Servers, and Volleys.
However, we don’t stop there! We also provide dedicated coaching for Secondary School students (11+) who want to develop their fitness and strategy, as well as Adult Coaching sessions. Whether you are a teen looking for a new hobby or an adult wanting to master the "dink," we have a court for you.
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All our weekly coaching is held at the heart of the Taunton sporting community:
Blackbrook Leisure Centre
Blackbrook Way, Taunton, TA1 2RW
Mondays 17.00-18.00
This is our primary hub for our younger age groups. With plenty of parking and an on-site café, it’s the perfect spot for the whole family to get active.
Bishop Fox’s School (Sports Hall)
Bishop Fox's Dr, Taunton, TA1 3HQ
Tuesdays 18.45–19.45
This session is specifically for our Smashers (ages 11+). The dedicated sports hall provides the perfect environment for our older players to hone their skills and compete.
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Just themselves and plenty of energy! Children should wear comfortable sports clothing and non-marking trainers. We provide all the specialized equipment, including appropriately sized paddles and balls. We do recommend bringing a labelled water bottle to keep them hydrated during the session.
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Absolutely! Most of our "Kidz" are brand new to the sport. Our founder’s background in speech and language therapy means our coaching isn't just about the sport—it's about building confidence, communication, and social skills in a patient, encouraging environment. We focus on "learning through play," so no prior experience is needed.
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Absolutely. Pickleball is famous for being easy to learn but hard to master. Our Adult and Secondary sessions focus on the fundamentals of positioning, grip, and the "kitchen" rules in a relaxed, social environment. It’s a fantastic way to stay fit without the high impact of tennis or squash.
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Yes! We regularly run Taster Sessions so your child can experience the "Think, Play, Dink" philosophy first-hand. If you'd like to be notified when our next taster date is announced, please fill out our contact form, and we'll add you to the priority list.
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Because our groups are kept small to ensure high-quality coaching, we are unable to offer refunds for individual missed classes within a pre-booked block. However, if you know in advance that you can’t make it, please let us know—if there is space in a different session that week, we will always try to accommodate a swap.
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Yes. Our coaching team is experienced in adapting sessions for different physical and cognitive levels. From primary-aged play to technical adult drills, our lead coaches are fully insured, enhanced DBS checked, and committed to inclusive coaching for all abilities, including SEN.
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We offer taster sessions at a discounted rate of £5*. This is a great way for new players to try out the sport, and the fee goes toward covering court hire.
*Payment is via payment link or bank transfer.
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Our standard sessions are £10* per player, per session.
*Payment is via payment link or bank transfer.
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To ensure your child’s spot is secured, we charge for sessions upfront on a per-term basis. This allows us to maintain consistent coaching ratios and guaranteed court space.
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We offer flexible coaching options for adults depending on your group size. Prices are per session:
One-to-One £30* per session
Group of Two £20* per person
Group of Four £10* per person
*Payment is via payment link or bank transfer.