Junior Development Training @ Serangoon

The first step in the Singapore Team Junior Pickleball pathway

Junior Development Training consists of weekly classes where young players begin their pickleball journey with Play! Pickle.

Held at Play! Pickle Serangoon, this programme helps kids build strong fundamentals, movement, confidence, court awareness, and match-play habits in a structured, encouraging environment.

For players who show potential, commitment, and coachability, Junior Development Training may also become the first step towards the Junior Elite Team and, eventually, the Junior Touring Team.

Schedule

Kids 5 to 8 years old

Wednesday 5 PM to 6 PM
Saturday 11 AM to 12 PM

This group focuses on coordination, confidence, simple rallies, basic serve skills, kitchen awareness, and fun games-based learning.

Kids 8 to 12 years old

Wednesday 6 PM to 7 PM
Sunday 3 PM to 4 PM

This group focuses on stronger technique, rally control, serve and return, kitchen play, doubles movement, match play, and simple tactics.

Ages 5–8 (1 Hour x 4 Classes)

Teaching style: short explanations, lots of movement, games-based learning, simple rules.

  • Focus: safety, coordination, basic forehand/backhand.

    • Court safety + how to hold a paddle properly

    • Ready position + “watch-bounce-hit” tracking

    • Forehand and backhand push (control over power)

    • Fun games: balloon/foam ball tracking, target taps, partner bounce-hit

    • Outcome: kids can keep a simple rally going with a coach/partner

  • Focus: underhand serve + return basics.

    • Underhand serve: swing low-to-high, step-and-swing, aiming into the box

    • What to do after serving (recover to ready position)

    • Simple return of serve (gentle contact, keep it in)

    • Fun games: “Serve to the Treasure,” “Return & Freeze,” mini points with coach feeding

    • Outcome: kids can serve in and start short points with guidance

  • Focus: touch at the net, understanding the kitchen.

    • What the “kitchen” is (kid-friendly explanation) + where they can/can’t volley

    • Soft shots at the net (intro to dinks): “quiet hands, soft touch”

    • Volley basics: short punch/block (no big swings)

    • Fun games: “No-Volley Zone tag,” dink to targets, volley wall challenge

    • Outcome: kids understand kitchen boundaries and can play gentle net exchanges

  • Focus: bring everything together with structured play.

    • Quick review: forehand/backhand + serve/return + net touch

    • Basic court movement (stay ready, recover, call “mine”)

    • Play format: rotating mini matches + fun skills circuit (targets, serves, rally count)

    • Sportsmanship: high-fives, positive talk, taking turns

    • Outcome: kids can play short, guided games and show clear improvement

What parents can expect by the end of the course

Ages 5–8: confidence, coordination, basic rallies, serves that start play, understanding of the kitchen, and positive sportsmanship.

Ages 8–12 (1 Hour x 4 Classes)

Teaching style: more technique detail, tactical thinking, consistency goals, structured drills + games.

  • Focus: clean technique, consistency, and directional control.

    • Safety, scoring overview, and key rules

    • Grip, ready position, contact point, and simple footwork (split step/shuffle)

    • Forehand/backhand drives: swing path + follow-through

    • Drills: rally to a target zone, cross-court control, “10-ball challenge”

    • Outcome: players can rally with purpose (not just “hit it back”)

  • Focus: reliable serve/return and building the point.

    • Underhand serve mechanics: depth + placement (wide/body/center)

    • Return of serve: height control + depth (keep opponents back)

    • Transition footwork after return (move up with control)

    • Drills: serve accuracy ladder, return deep to targets, “serve + 3 shots”

    • Outcome: players can start points confidently and sustain longer rallies

  • Focus: the non-volley zone game (soft play, patience, control).

    • Kitchen rule + why it matters tactically

    • Dinking technique: soft hands, controlled lift, staying balanced

    • Volleys: block vs punch, reset volleys

    • Drills: dink cross-court, dink straight, volley-to-reset progression

    • Outcome: players can hold a dink rally and understand when to volley vs reset

  • Focus: applying skills in real games with simple tactics.

    • Review + quick corrections: serve/return, drives, dinks, volleys

    • Doubles positioning: side-by-side, moving up together, covering the middle

    • Simple strategy: hit to space, target weaker side, keep the ball low, communicate

    • Play format: coached match play with rotations + “game scenarios” (e.g., 7–7, serve/return pressure)

    • Outcome: players can play proper doubles points with basic strategy and teamwork

What parents can expect by the end of the course

Ages 8–12: stronger consistency, reliable serve/return, improved rally control, basic dink/volley skills, and real doubles movement + simple tactics.