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Cornelius Pickleball Programs

Lake Norman Pickleball Association is excited to partner with Cornelius Parks and Recreation to provide educational clinics. We will be offering clinics in multi-week series that will build on different skills each week. We will also be offering one-day clinics targeted to one specific skill. Clinics will be based on skill level. Signing up for the correct skill level helps both you and the instructional group get the most from the lesson. Please see the current clinic offerings below. 

LKNPA does not want financial hardship to be a barrier to participation. We offer a scholarship program for those that meet qualifying criteria. If you feel you may qualify, email Dave Mancuso (dave.lknpickleball@gmail.com) for more information. 

LKNPA members need to login prior to registering to receive member discount. If you are not a member, but would like to join to receive clinic discounts and other benefits, please click the Join tab above for more information. 

Current Programs

    • December 01, 2025
    • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Bailey Road Park - Cornelius
    • 8
    Register

    Want to put the busy work day behind you or just simply work on your game?   Why not get outside and improve your pickleball skills? These evening clinics will be limited to a small group of eight players for an 1 1/2 hours of focused skill- building and game play.

    Beating Bangers: A Smart Defense Pickleball Clinic 

    Tired of opponents who think every shot is a highlight-reel smash? Our Beating Bangers Clinic teaches you how to turn their power into your advantage. This clinic focuses on the strategies, techniques, and mindset needed to neutralize hard hitters and regain control of the game.

    What You’ll Learn:

    • Reset Mastery: How to absorb power and drop the ball softly back into the kitchen including third-shot drops.

    • Defensive Footwork: Positioning that keeps you balanced, ready, and unfazed by fast balls.

    • Blocking & Countering: Use simple mechanics to turn their pace into controlled, winning shots.

    • Strategic Patience: When to slow the game down, when to speed it up, and how to frustrate bangers into making mistakes.

    • Smart Court Awareness: Reading swing cues and anticipating drives before they happen.

    Who It’s For:
    Players who want to feel confident against aggressive hitters—especially at the beginner to intermediate levels.

    Outcome:
    Walk away with the tools to stay calm under fire, reset with precision, and dictate the pace of play. No more getting overwhelmed by speed—learn to make bangers play your game.





    • December 03, 2025
    • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Bailey Road Park - Cornelius
    • 8
    Register

    Want to put the busy work day behind you or just simply work on your game?   Why not get outside and improve your pickleball skills? These evening clinics will be limited to a small group of eight players for an 1 1/2 hours of focused skill-building and game play.

    Clinic: Third Shot Mastery — Take Control of the Point

    The Third Shot is one of the most important—and misunderstood—shots in pickleball. Whether you’re hitting a third-shot drop to neutralize your opponents or driving the ball to apply pressure, mastering this moment can completely change your game.

    In this focused, high-impact clinic, players will learn when and why to choose each third-shot option and how to execute it with confidence. Through targeted drills, technique breakdowns, and live-play scenarios, participants will develop the consistency, touch, and tactical awareness needed to take control of the point from the very start.

    What you’ll learn:

    • Proper footwork and positioning for an effective third-shot setup

    • Mechanics for a soft, controlled third-shot drop

    • Learn about the latest 3rd shot strategy called "drips" - drives followed by drops

    • When to use a third-shot drive—and how to make it effective
    • Reading your opponents to choose the right third-shot strategy

    • Transitioning smoothly from the baseline to the kitchen

    Who this clinic is for:
    Players who understand the basics of pickleball and want to elevate their strategic play, improve point control, and develop the skills needed for consistent success in competitive games.

    Take your game to the next level by mastering the shot that sets the tone for everything that follows.

    • December 06, 2025
    • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
    • Bailey Road Park - Cornelius
    • 8
    Register

    Give your child the opportunity to experience the fastest growing sport in the country.  Young people everywhere are discovering why so many others just like them are catching the "pickleball fever".

    This clinic is for young juniors who are brand new or relatively new to pickleball. The clinic will focus on basic skills (serves, drives, returns, drops), rules of the game, and basic strategies. The first half of the clinic will focus on skills. Participants will play in coached games for the 2nd half of the clinic. Participants will be grouped according to age and ability.

    This is the first-ever clinic of its type so don't let your child miss out on this unique opportunity.

    Juniors Instructors Kevin McKenzie and Ken Miles


    • December 06, 2025
    • 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
    • Bailey Road Park - Cornelius
    • 12
    Register

    Give your child the opportunity to experience the fastest growing sport in the country.  Young people everywhere are discovering why so many others just like them are catching the "pickleball fever".

    This clinic is for Middle and High School students who are brand new or relatively new to pickleball. The clinic will focus on basic skills (serves, drives, returns, drops), rules of the game, and basic strategies. The first half of the clinic will focus on skills. Participants will play in coached games for the 2nd half of the clinic. Participants will be grouped according to age and ability.

    This is the first-ever clinic of its type so don't let your child miss out on this unique opportunity.

    Juniors Instructors Kevin McKenzie and Ken Miles

    • December 08, 2025
    • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Bailey Road Park - Cornelius
    • 8
    Register

    Want to put the busy work day behind you or just simply work on your game?   Why not get outside and improve your pickleball skills? These evening clinics will be limited to a small group of eight players for an 1 1/2 hours of focused skill-building and game play.

    Pickleball Footwork & Court Positioning Clinic

    Sharpen your movement, boost your reaction time, and take control of the court in our Footwork & Positioning Clinic. This session focuses on the essential movement patterns and strategic positioning that separate consistent players from competitive players. Participants will learn how to move efficiently, stay balanced, and anticipate the next shot—leading to faster transitions, stronger defense, and more dominant net play.

    Through targeted drills and guided play, players will practice:

    • Dynamic footwork techniques for quicker starts, stops, and directional changes

    • Optimal court positioning for doubles, including transition zones and smart coverage

    • Maintaining balance and readiness during volleys, dinks, and resets

    • Anticipation strategies to read opponents’ tendencies and respond earlier

    • Efficient movement to and from the kitchen to maintain offensive pressure

    This clinic is ideal for players looking to improve agility, court awareness, and overall consistency. Whether you’re climbing skill levels or just want smarter, more confident movement on the court, this focused training will elevate every aspect of your game.

    Want versions for: beginners, intermediate/advanced, or competitive tournament players?


    • December 10, 2025
    • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Bailey Road Park - Cornelius
    • 8
    Register

    Want to put the busy work day behind you or just simply work on your game?   Why not get outside and improve your pickleball skills? These evening clinics will be limited to a small group of eight players for an 1 1/2 hours of focused skill-building and game play.

    Real-Time Pickleball Coaching Clinic

    Elevate your game—right on the court, right in the moment.

    This dynamic, on-court coaching clinic is designed for players who want actionable feedback as they play. Instead of stopping for long lectures or drills, participants receive immediate guidance during real points, rallies, and game scenarios. Our coaches observe your positioning, shot selection, footwork, and strategy in real time, offering quick corrections and tactical insights that you can implement instantly.

    Through live point play, situational coaching, and personalized instruction, players learn how to:

    • Improve court positioning and anticipate opponents’ shots

    • Make smarter decisions under pressure

    • Use more effective shot selections (dinks, drops, drives, resets)

    • Communicate and coordinate better with partners

    • Reduce unforced errors through efficient movement and paddle preparation

    This clinic is perfect for players who learn best by doing and want to accelerate their progress with practical, in-the-moment adjustments. Whether you’re preparing for tournament play or looking to break through to the next skill level, our real-time coaching approach delivers fast, lasting improvement.

    Format:
    Live game play + immediate feedback
    Small group environment for personalized attention

    Ideal For:
    Players of all levels who want answers to the question "what am I doing wrong"

    • December 15, 2025
    • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Bailey Road Park - Cornelius
    • 8
    Register

    Want to put the busy work day behind you or just simply work on your game?   Why not get outside and improve your pickleball skills? These evening clinics will be limited to a small group of eight players for an 1 1/2 hours of focused skill-building and game play.

    3.0 → 3.5 Pickleball Advancement Clinic

    Description:
    This clinic is designed for developing players who are ready to elevate their game from solid recreational play (3.0) to the more consistent, strategic level of 3.5. Participants will focus on building reliable shot mechanics, improving court awareness, and learning higher-level tactics that create opportunities rather than simply reacting to the ball. Through targeted drills, coached gameplay, and individualized feedback, players will gain the skills and confidence needed to compete effectively at the 3.5 level.

    What You’ll Learn:

    • Consistency & Control: Improve accuracy on dinks, volleys, drops, and groundstrokes.

    • Third-Shot Development: Learn when and how to use drop shots, drives, and transition footwork.

    • Net Play & Kitchen Strategy: Master soft game principles, reset balls, and pressure your opponents.

    • Serve & Return Upgrades: Add depth, placement, and purposeful patterns to your first two shots.

    • Tactical Decision-Making: Understand smart shot selection, positioning, and team communication.

    • Matchplay Confidence: Apply new skills during coached games with real-time corrections.

    Who Should Attend:
    Players who:

    • Know the basic rules and scoring

    • Can maintain medium-paced rallies

    • Are ready to improve consistency and introduce more advanced strategy

    • Want to prepare for competitive recreational or tournament play

    Outcome:
    By the end of this clinic, players will show increased consistency in their strokes, smarter shot selection, improved movement through the transition zone, and a more composed, strategic presence on the court—key characteristics of a strong 3.5 player.

    • December 17, 2025
    • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Bailey Road Park - Cornelius
    • 8
    Register

    Want to put the busy work day behind you or just simply work on your game?   Why not get outside and improve your pickleball skills? These evening clinics will be limited to a small group of eight players for an 1 1/2 hours of focused skill-building and game play.

    ✨ Essentials for Pickleball Clinic

    Level: Beginner–Early Intermediate

    Ready to jump into the fastest-growing sport in the country? Our Essentials for Pickleball Clinic is designed to give new and developing players the core skills and confidence they need to start playing right away.

    In this fun, supportive session, players will learn the fundamental techniques, court movement, and game strategies that form the foundation of solid pickleball play. Through guided drills and live-play scenarios, you’ll build good habits, improve consistency, and understand how to play smarter—without feeling overwhelmed.

    What You’ll Learn:

    • Proper grip, ready position, and footwork basics

    • Consistent serving and returning techniques

    • Dinking, volleys, and controlled shot selection

    • Kitchen rules and court positioning

    • How to build a rally and play high-percentage shots

    • Intro to scoring, rotations, and match flow

    Perfect For:
    New players, casual recreation players, or anyone looking to sharpen their early pickleball fundamentals.

    Join us and develop the essential tools to enjoy the game, play with confidence, and continue growing your skills!

    • December 20, 2025
    • 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
    • Bailey Road Park - Cornelius
    • 16
    Register
    This 1 1/2 hour clinic is among our most popular as it combines learning and refining new intermediate-level skills with actual game play that is observed by certified instructors who provide real-time coaching in a game-like setting.

    Pickleball Skills & Round Robin Clinic

    Level: Beginner–Intermediate | Format: Coaching + Guided Play

    Take your pickleball game to the next level with our dynamic Coached Skills & Round Robin Clinic, designed for players who want focused instruction and plenty of fun, competitive gameplay.

    What to Expect

    Targeted Skills Coaching
    Participants receive hands-on instruction from an experienced pickleball coach covering essential techniques such as:

    • Consistent and controlled dinking

    • Third-shot drops and drives

    • Volleys and net positioning

    • Serve and return accuracy

    • Footwork, court awareness, and doubles strategy

    Guided Drills With Feedback
    Each skill segment includes structured drills where players practice at a comfortable pace while receiving real-time corrections and tips.

    Round Robin Play
    Put your new skills into action! The clinic wraps up with a fun, organized round robin. Players rotate partners and opponents, gaining experience in a variety of game situations. Coaches observe play, offer strategic advice, and help players think through point construction and teamwork.

    Who It's For

    • Players who know basic rules and want to improve technique

    • Newer players hoping to gain confidence before joining leagues

    • Intermediate players looking to sharpen consistency and strategy

    • Anyone wanting a coached environment that still includes real gameplay

    Why You’ll Love It

    ✔ Perfect blend of instruction and live play
    ✔ Supportive, positive coaching style
    ✔ Great way to meet other players at your level
    ✔ You’ll leave with specific takeaways you can use immediately in your matches



Thank You to our sponsors:

Lake Norman Pickleball Association
9815 Sam Furr Rd.
Suite J-101
Huntersville, NC 28078

Proud partners with:


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