Association Beginner Instruction
We are teaming up with Howard County Recreation and Parks to host introduction classes. We intend to offer two per month in the Spring, Early Summer and the Fall. These will be conducted at Atholton Park on Thursday evenings. We will have one instructor per court. Classes run for 2 hours. 1 hour to instruction then 1 hour of play with instruction. There is an nominal fee to cover the facility costs.
Once you have instruction we will encourage you to attend some novice sessions while you get your pickleball legs. To attend these session we ask you join our association and get the schedule of sessions. Then come out to the courts and play with others on your level. You’ll know when it’s time to move up.
HCPA's lessons are described as the following:
The purpose of the new player sessions is twofold: First, to teach the rudiments to players unfamiliar with the game. Second, to give some tips to players beyond basic instruction, so they can become comfortable playing at drop in sessions.
Lets define WHO should be attending these sessions.
• Beginners – a beginner is someone who has NEVER played pickleball before. They are a clean slate, waiting to be taught the very basics of the game.
• Novices – a novice is someone who might have come to a lesson once or twice, but is not comfortable playing with others yet. Perhaps they can hit the ball, but they don’t know anything about court position, and they don’t understand scoring.
Schedule for Pickleball 101 in conjunction with Howard Co. Recreation & Parks
| Program Number | Title | Date | Day & Time | Cost | Location | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RP3558.103 | Pickleball 101 | 3-Oct | Thursday-6:00-7:30 PM | $19 | Atholton Pk | List of Classes |
| RP3558.104 | Pickleball 101 | 17-Oct | Thursday-6:00-7:30 PM | $19 | Atholton Pk | List of Classes |
Note: Oct. 17th will the the last class for this year.
HCPA Beginner Guidance
Frequently Asked Questions for Pickleball Beginners
Additional Instruction Options
Columbia Association periodically offers instruction. See their website for further information:
https://www.columbiaassociation.org/facilities/sports/tennis/tennis-programs-lessons/pickleball/
Howard County Recreation & Parks periodically offers instruction. See their website for further information:
Howard County Rec. & Parks Pickleball
Dill Dinkers an indoor pickleball facility offers instruction. See their website for further information:
Local Instructors
The following are certified local instructors that our association is aware of in our area.
Sonny Tannan - HCPA Member | PPR Certified Professional | USAPA Ambassador
Sonny has been coaching and playing sports since his days in college. He transitioned from coaching as a tennis pro in various tennis club's, to Nike and eventually to the sport of pickleball. He is a Professional Pickleball Registry Certified Professional, a USA Pickleball Association Ambassador and currently instructs at the YMCA of Central Maryland in Howard County.
He welcomes every level of play to step on the court in order to learn something about their game and how to elevate it to the next level. If you have just begun to play the sport or are looking for competitive strategy and tactics for tournament level play, you will leave each lesson with at least 1 actionable item to improve your game. Feel free to reach out and connect with Sonny for a free 15 minute on the court analysis.
Marc F. Austin | Professional Pickleball Registry ( PPR) Certified Professional Instructor/Coach | Member, USAPA | Member, HPCA
Feel free to contact him for private individual and group lessons at
Note, it is not our intention to promote or recommend these instructors but merely to offer information to the pickleball community.