Pickleball Canada Announces Instructor Certification Course Updates - Including BC Courses

INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION COURSE UPDATE

We have been thrilled at the response from people who have participated in Instructor 1: Introducing Pickleball. This is the first course on the Coach Education Pathway and focuses on making sure new players have a great first experience with pickleball.
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These are the numbers so far in 2022 (through August 31):

1. Total # of courses: 25
   
2. Total # of provinces / territories to host courses: 10
   
3. Total # of participants: 330

Upcoming Courses:
Level 1: 

• Halifax, NS - October 6th, 2022  
• Vancouver, BC - October 23, 2022  
• Vernon, BC - October 27th, 2022  

Level 2: 

• Vernon, BC - October 28th & October 29th

INSTRUCTOR 2: DEVELOPING RECREATIONAL PLAYERS

We are excited to announce that this Fall we will launch the second course on the Coach Education Pathway - Instructor 2: Developing Recreational Players. This course takes place over two days and will concentrate on developing the coaching skills needed to help people who play at the 2.5-3.5 levels become even better. There is a considerable focus on developing intermediate tactics and technique, and participants will enhance their knowledge of group management as well as analyzing players and identifying solutions to solve problems. The first pilot took place in Toronto September 12/13 and the second in Kingston September 17/18.

Course Participation Requirements:

• Has successfully completed Instructor 1: Introducing Pickleball or earned equivalency
• Listed as a 3.5 level player on pickleballbrackets.com or meets playing skills standards.

Cost: $399+tax

PICKLEBALL COACH EDUCATION WEBSITE

Want to see the course calendar?  Looking for coaching resources? Want to know who in your area is a certified instructor? Head to tpacanada.com and click the big white Pickleball Coach Education tile on the right-hand side of the page. 

COACHING TIP: EXPLAINING WHAT, WHY AND HOW?

Whether you are a coach working with beginning, novice, intermediate or advanced pickleball players, you’ll likely be introducing new skills to them. And in order to develop these skills, you’ll need to introduce specific drills or games that will give them opportunities to practice:

1. If you want your players to really buy into what you’re asking them to do, make sure that you always explain what, why and how.
   
2. What is it that you are asking them to do? Are we talking about serving and returning deep? Are we looking to hit a low third shot? Put away a high ball? Roll a volley? Be specific about what it is you are asking your players to accomplish.  
   
3. Why does it matter? Is this about causing trouble for the opponent? Are you looking to avoid trouble yourself? Is this about being more steady? Give them a clear rationale and help your players understand how this new skill will help them to play pickleball better.
   
4. How does the activity work? Show them exactly what you want them to do. Help them understand the target, goal, scoring and rotations.

Effective teachers are crystal clear on the what, why and how of any drill or game. And the more you can make it a habit to always explain these things, the more eager your players will be to learn from you. 

FEATURED VIDEO: RECEIVING SHOTS WITH SPIN

Being able to handle shots with spin is as important as being able to send spinners of your own. Check out this video — made possible by Pickleball Ontario and the Trillium Foundation— so you’ll be ready to handle anything your opponents throw at you. This is just one of forty-five instructional videos that are available on the Pickleball Coach Education webpage as reference materials for NCCP coaches.

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