WHAM ACADEMY Future Picklers Programme

For WHAM Academy’s Future Picklers programme, it is a 4-week beginner programme for ages 4–8, with each 90-minute session built around play, movement and one main pickleball skill.

Future Picklers: 4-Week Programme

Schedule: Every Tuesday, 5.00–6.30 pm

Group size: Ideally 4–6 children per coach

Format: Standard courts and nets, lightweight paddles and softer balls

Standard 90-minute session

Time	Activity
5.00–5.10 pm	Welcome game and movement warm-up
5.10–5.25 pm	Coordination and ball-control activities
5.25–5.50 pm	Skill of the week
5.50–5.55 pm	Water break
5.55–6.15 pm	Skill-based games and challenges
6.15–6.25 pm	Mini matches or team game
6.25–6.30 pm	Cool-down, recap and achievement stamp

Weekly lesson plan

Week 1: Meet the Paddle

Focus: Safety, coordination and paddle control

• Learn how to hold and carry the paddle safely

• Balance the ball on the paddle

• Paddle taps: forehand side, backhand side and alternating

• Roll and stop the ball with the paddle

• Introduction to the ready position

Games: Paddle Safari, Traffic Lights and Balance Relay

Achievement: Paddle Explorer

Week 2: Hit and Move

Focus: Forehand contact and movement

• Athletic ready position

• Move into position before hitting

• Drop-hit forehands toward large targets

• Send the ball over a low net

• Recover to the ready position after each shot

Games: Knock Down the Cones, Hit the Island and Coach Says

Achievement: Forehand Hero

Week 3: Serve and Rally

Focus: Underhand serve and cooperative rallying

• Underhand swing from low to high

• Serve from a shortened distance

• Aim into a large service area

• Catch-hit progression with a partner

• Build a two- to five-shot cooperative rally

Games: Serve the Treasure, Rally Rescue and Beat the Coach

Achievement: Rally Ranger

Week 4: Future Picklers Festival

Focus: Simple gameplay, teamwork and celebration

• Review safety, ready position, forehand and serve

• Learn basic boundaries and scoring

• Play shortened singles or doubles games

• Rotate through skill stations

• Finish with a friendly team competition (modified version based on age and skill)

Games: Around the World, Pickleball Stations and Mini Matchplay

Achievement: Future Pickler

Adaptations by age

Ages 4–5	Ages 6–8
More rolling, catching and balancing	More hitting over the net and rallying
Shorter instructions and frequent games	Simple rules, scoring and match play
Larger targets and closer distances	Smaller targets and longer distances
Balloon, foam or oversized balls	Junior pickleballs or softer training balls

We want every child to stay active, receive frequent turns and finish each lesson with a small success. A passport for kids to collect collectible stamps upon achieving achievements will given to them.

Click below link if you are interested.

https://forms.gle/jyEvekkfbxu6JSTu5