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Looking For Junior Pickleball Information?

LEARN PICKLEBALL AT PADDLE UP

From your very first paddle swing to competitive tournament play, Paddle Up's Training Academy gives you a clear path to becoming a better player.

Start Here!

BRAND NEW
I'VE NEVER
PLAYED

If you’ve never played pickleball before, this is the perfect place to start.

 

Our 101 Intro to Pickleball class is a 60-minute lesson where our instructors will teach the basics and help you play your first games.​

 

​Everyone in this class is new to pickleball— you’ll fit right in.

BEGINNER TO 
LOW INTERMEDIATE
BUILD THE
FOUNDATION

Now that you've learned the basics, it's time to build the skills that make pickleball fun and competitive.

 

Our 201 Novice Training Clinic is a 5-week program designed to help players become more consistent, more confident, and ready for organized play.

 

Each week you'll work on one key area of your game.

INTERMEDIATE 
TO ADVANCED
ELEVATE
YOUR GAME

You're comfortable playing pickleball. Now it's time to learn why better players win.

 

Our 301 Intermediate Training Clinic is a 5-week program focused on strategy, court positioning, shot selection, and consistency.

 

Through coached drills and live gameplay, you'll become a smarter, more confident player.

BEGINNER LEAGUES
Learn and compete with a 6 Week Beginner League. Sessions include brief instruction followed by individual round-robin games with rotating partners. 
FOR ADVANCED PLAYERS
ADVANCED SKILLS & DRILLS ROAD TO 4.0 SERIES
Take your pickleball game to the next level with specialized clinics.
NEW TO PICKLEBALL

Step 1: Start With 101 - Intro to Pickleball Class 

If you’ve never played pickleball before, this is the perfect place to start.

 

Pickleball 101 is a 60-minute introduction where our instructors will teach the basics and help you play your first games.

​

✔ 60 minutes of instruction and play
✔ Learn rules, scoring, and basic strategy
✔ Meet other beginners
✔ Free loaner paddles available

​

Everyone in this class is new to pickleball
— you’ll fit right in.

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BEGINNER TO LOW INTERMEDIATE

Step 2: Build Your Foundation with our
201 Novice Training Clinic

Now that you've learned the basics, it's time to build the skills that make pickleball fun and competitive.

 

Our 201 Novice Training Clinic is a 5-week program designed to help players become more consistent, more confident, and ready for organized play.

 

Each week you'll work on one key area of your game with live instruction, drills, coaching, and guided gameplay.

​

What You'll Learn

✔ Master kitchen movement and positioning

✔ Build a reliable dink game

✔ Learn effective drop shots

✔ Improve volleys and net play

✔ Develop defensive consistency

✔ Small class sizes (8 players max)

​

You'll Leave Ready To...

  • Join organized play with confidence

  • Rally longer

  • Make smarter shot selections

  • Play with better positioning

  • Build habits that will help you improve for years

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INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED

Step 3: Elevate Your Game with our 301 Intermediate Training Clinic

You're comfortable playing pickleball. Now it's time to learn why better players win.

 

Our 301 Intermediate Training Clinic is a 5-week program designed to help players improve strategy, consistency, court positioning, and advanced shot selection.

 

Through coached drills, live gameplay, and weekly skill development, you'll become a smarter and more confident player.

 

What You'll Learn

✔ Advanced kitchen movement

✔ Purposeful dinking

✔ Consistent drops under pressure

✔ Offensive and defensive volleys

✔ Resetting difficult balls

✔ Advanced shot selection

 

You'll Leave Ready To...

  • Compete at a higher level

  • Win more points through strategy

  • Create pressure instead of reacting

  • Improve consistency under pressure

  • Play with confidence against stronger opponents

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Pickleball for Beginners

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Paddle Up Training Academy Instructors

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Chase Blickhan
Head Teaching Pro

  • Chase has been teaching for 2 years now.

  • His favorite part about teaching is getting to help players improve in the sport he loves.

  • Teaches 3.25+ Players

  • RPO Level 1 Certified

  • Youth Instructor
     

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Bob Cook
Teaching Pro

  • Bob has been teaching for over 3 years!

  • He has 2 U.S. Open Gold Medals.

  • RPO Level 1 & IPTPA Level 1 Certified

  • Teaches all Skill Levels

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John Kleinschmidt
Teaching Pro

  • John has been teaching pickleball for over 6 years! 

  • He is one of the top players in St. Louis and a Senior Pro Athlete.

  • IPTPA Level 2 & NPA Certified 

  • Teaches 3.5+

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Brenda Alexander
Teaching Pro

  • RPO Level 1 Certified

  • Teaches Beginners and up to 3.0.

  • Youth Instructor
     

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Tim Butz
Teaching Pro

  • RPO Level 1 Certified

  • Teaches Beginners and up to 3.0.

  • Youth Instructor
     

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Upcoming Training Sessions

Clinics

Paddle Up Academy

Progression Path


Paddle Up 101 – Introduction to Pickleball: One 1hr Class 

For the Brand New Beginner 

Learn to play pickleball with a Paddle Up Pickleball Club Instructor! This class is a great way for brand new players to learn the sport of Pickleball. Players receive 45 minutes of instruction plus 15 minutes playing time. Players will learn all the basics to be able to start playing pickleball. We can provide equipment and will cover basic score keeping, unique lingo, court position, and the fundamentals of serve, return, and the volley. 

​

One Class – 60 Min – 8 Students Max 

$25 for Visitors / Visitors that become members immediately after their session are given a $25 credit onto their account with the Club!

​

Paddle Up 102 – Novice Instructional Open Play: Every Wednesday Night - 1.5 hr class

For the Beginner or Novice player looking to build their court time with one of our instructors

Play games with other novice players as an instructor helps give tips and tricks to help you learn the strategy and techniques involved in playing at a higher level.

​

Every Wednesday Night - 90 Min - 10 Students Max

 

 

Paddle Up 201 – Beginner Clinic: 5 Week 1.5 hr class 

For the Beginner or Novice player looking to breakthrough to 3.0 

Start your journey to Pickleball success (and fun) with a solid foundation! In this 5 week Beginner and Novice Clinic you will get a weekly dose of fundamental mechanics and drills to prepare you for organized play and other fun competitions. Each 90 min class focuses on key shots needed to take your game to the next level and plenty of live game play with the instructor tips and coaching. 

 

5 Weeks – 90 Min – 8 Students Max 

​

 

Paddle Up 301 – Low Intermediate Clinic: 5 Week 1.5 hr class 

For the 3.0 player looking to breakthrough to 3.5

Refine and hone the principle shots of the game with a weekly dose of instruction and drills. This 5 week clinic will focus on shot selection, positioning, and continued refinement of foundational shots. This series of classes will build a solid foundation for your pickleball game in order to advance to higher levels. Each 90 min class focuses on the key techniques and tactics needed to take your game to the Next Level! 

 

5 Weeks – 90 Min – 8 Students Max 

 

Paddle Up Road to 3.5 – Skills & Drills Clinic: Every Saturday Morning - 1.5 hr class 

For the 3.0 player looking to breakthrough to 3.5. 

Calling all Bangers, Popper-Uppers and Hammer Hands! Get in touch with your softer side! Have the power game, but something’s missing? Do you revert to hitting hard because you have no confidence in your soft game? Get THE TOUCH YOU NEED TO SUCCEED! Hone your finesse skills with this clinic which will have game-like drills & playing out points to focus on: Dinks, Block Volleys, Drop Shots and Digging.

​

Saturdays Weekly – 90 Min – 8 Students Max 

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Paddle Up Road to 4.0 – Skills & Drills Clinic: Every Saturday Morning - 1.5 hr class  

For the 3.5 player looking to breakthrough to 4.0 

Are you looking to take your pickleball game to the next level? The Road to 4.0 class is designed for intermediate players who are eager to refine their skills, sharpen their strategy, and break through the 3.5 rating barrier to reach a 4.0 level of play.

In this dynamic and fast-paced clinic, you’ll work with experienced instructors who will guide you through the technical and tactical elements necessary to improve your game. Whether you’re looking to fine-tune your serve, master the third-shot drop, or enhance your net play, this class covers it all. You’ll also focus on improving footwork, positioning, shot selection, and court awareness to give you the edge over your opponents.

 

Each session includes a combination of drills and live play, so you can immediately apply what you've learned in game-like scenarios. You'll receive personalized feedback to help you correct any weaknesses in your game and build confidence on the court.

By the end of this class, you’ll have the tools, techniques, and strategies to push your game to a solid 4.0 level, with the skills to compete at a higher level in tournaments and leagues.

 

Saturdays Weekly – 90 Min – 8 Students Max

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