Adult Pickleball Programs
2026 Summer Pickleball Information
The Incline Village Tennis & Pickleball Center (964 Incline Way, Incline Village) is open to the public and has 15 pickleball courts available for drop-in play, lessons, programs, tournaments, and social events. A minimum of four people is required for drop-in play. During the summer, equipment rentals and sales are available in our pro shop, including demo paddles, court shoes, and apparel. Proper non-marking court shoes are required.
Court Reservations, Daily Fees & Membership Passes
View daily fees and membership rates on the Tennis & Pickleball homepage.
Visit or call the pro shop at (775) 832-1235 for court reservations or memberships. Pickleball court reservations are only available after 12:30pm.
Daily Open Play
Everyone is welcome, but it is strongly recommended that first-time players take a clinic or lesson before participating in open play. Players will rotate into different games with others. Please use the paddle boxes to secure your place in the rotation. When a game is finished, two winners stay on and split up, while the next two waiting players go onto the court. When more than four players are waiting, the rotation will be four players off and four new players on. Registration is not required, but all players must check in at the pro shop, even membership pass holders.
- Open Play: Daily from 9am – 12pm (schedule is subject to change)
Court Assignments / Levels
Courts are assigned by the type and level of play. Please review this graphic, also posted at the courts, to ensure you are playing on the correct court for your level.
Pickleball Skill Level Descriptions
Not sure where you fall? Use the table below to find your level before signing up for pickleball clinics or programs. When in doubt, go one level down — you’ll get more out of the session and leave with more wins than frustrations.
Level 1.0
Never picked up a paddle. No knowledge of the rules, scoring, or court layout. This player is brand new to the game and has no relevant sports background transferable to pickleball mechanics.
Level 1.5
Has played once or twice — maybe at a family cookout or a company event. Can get the ball over the net occasionally but has little control, consistency, or understanding of the rules. Still learning where to stand and how to keep score.
Level 2.0
Understands the basic rules of the game, including the kitchen (NVZ) rule, and can sustain a short rally. Shots are inconsistent and there’s minimal directional control. Mostly reacting to the ball rather than moving or thinking ahead. Can play a casual recreational game.
Level 2.5
Starting to develop some consistency and directional awareness. Beginning to understand the importance of moving to the kitchen line and learning what a dink is, even if execution is rough. Can keep a rally going for longer stretches and is competitive in casual recreational play.
Level 3.0
A solid recreational player. Can sustain cross-court dink rallies, serves and returns consistently, and understands the importance of getting to the kitchen line. Hits a functional third shot, usually a drive. Movement and shot selection are improving but still break down under pressure. Common at open gyms and rec leagues.
Level 3.5
Developing a well-rounded game. Beginning to execute third shot drops with some consistency and engages in intentional dink exchanges. Starting to speed up the ball on purpose and understands stacking and basic patterns. Competes in local rec play and entry-level tournaments. This is one of the fastest-growing and most common skill brackets in the game.
Level 4.0
A reliable, strategic player. Consistently executes third shot drops, dinks cross-court and down the line, and can reset attackable balls. Understands when to be patient and when to attack. Movement and court coverage are dependable. Competing and placing in local and regional tournaments. A legitimate player at every part of the court.
Level 4.5
Advanced competitive player. Highly consistent across the entire game — soft game, hard game, and defense. Attacks with precision, identifies and exploits opponent patterns, and rarely gives away free points. Understands stacking, poaching, and game-within-game tactics. Placing in regional and state-level tournaments regularly.
Level 5.0
Top 1% of all players. Near-elite level — executing every shot with intent and precision, reading opponents in real time, and operating under pressure without breaking down. Competing and placing at national and high-level regional tournaments. At or approaching the doorstep of professional play.
Adult Pickleball Clinics
Each class is built around a specific level (see levels above) and format. If you don’t see what you are looking for here, book a private lesson with one of our pickleball pros.
Register at the Pro Shop or call (775) 832-1235 for programs and events. Some programs and events may also be available for online registration at Register.YourTahoePlace.com. Type “pickleball” in the Activity Search or click the button below. You can also view all the clinics on the calendar view by selecting “Tennis Center” as the location on the Event Calendar on the online store.
Classic Pickleball Clinics
Beginner Pickleball Clinic (Level 1.0 – 1.5)
Whether you have played once or twice or never touched a paddle, this clinic is for you. Learn the basics of the game, how to serve, basic shots, scoring and rules of play. Starting here before joining the open play is highly recommended.
- Dates: June 6 – September 12, 2026
- No clinic August 15, 2026
- Days: Mondays & Saturdays
- Time: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
- Fees per day: $33, $28 w/ IVGID Pass
Advanced Beginner Pickleball Clinic (Level 2.0 – 2.5)
Know the basics, but still worried about jumping into open play? Struggling with your serve? Don’t know how to make your shots where you want them to go? This clinic is for you. We’ll work on skills such as serving, basic strokes, and knowing where to stand on the court. Other concepts may be introduced to help you understand how to improve your game.
- Dates: June 11 – September 12, 2026
- No clinic August 15, 2026
- Days/Times:
- Thursdays: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
- Saturdays: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
- Fees per day: $33, $28 w/ IVGID Pass
Intermediate Pickleball Clinic (Level 3.0 – 4.0)
This clinic bridges the gap between recreational play and competitive play. We’ll cover third shot options (drop vs. drive), cross-court and down-the-line dinking patterns, and how to construct points from the kitchen line rather than just surviving at it. You’ll come away with a sharper understanding of strategy, shot selection, and what separates a player who competes from one who just plays. If you feel like you’re out there but not quite sure what you’re doing — this clinic changes that.
- Dates: June 9 – September 8, 2026
- No clinic August 15, 2026
- Days: Tuesdays & Saturdays
- Time: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
- Fees per day: $33, $28 w/ IVGID Pass
Liveball Pickleball Clinics
Liveball Advanced Beginner Pickleball Clinic (Level 2.0 – 2.5)
Liveball is one of the best training formats in the game — every ball comes out of a realistic situation so your reps actually transfer to match play. In this session, a coach feeds live balls while players work through shots in context, at a pace that’s supportive and manageable for newer players. You’ll get an enormous number of quality reps in a short amount of time, all in a structured environment designed to accelerate your development. It’s a big step up from just playing recreational games.
- Dates: June 10 – September 9, 2026
- Days: Wednesdays
- Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm
- Fees per day: $43, $38 w/ IVGID Pass
Liveball Intermediate Pickleball Clinic (Level 3.0 – 4.0)
This liveball session is faster-paced and more situationally complex than the beginner format. Expect to work through kitchen exchanges, transition zone movement, third shot execution, and handling pace under real pressure. The coach feeds balls that challenge you — not to overwhelm, but to push your game to the next level. You’ll work through the shots and situations that matter most at this stage of development, and you’ll leave with your game noticeably sharper.
- Dates: June 8 – September 7, 2026
- Days: Mondays
- Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm
- Fees per day: $43, $38 w/ IVGID Pass
Liveball Advanced Pickleball Clinic (Level 4.0+)
This is a high-intensity session built for players who already have strong fundamentals and want to refine the details. Expect sharp, fast feeds, complex patterns, and situational reps that mirror competitive match play. The focus here shifts from “can you do it” to “can you do it consistently under pressure.” Every rep has a purpose. Every situation has a read. Not for the faint of heart — but if you’re serious about leveling up, this is the work.
- Dates: June 9 – September 11, 2026
- Days: Tuesdays & Fridays
- Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm
- Fees per day: $43, $38 w/ IVGID Pass
Specialty Pickleball Clinics
Details for the Specialty Pickleball Clinics are still being finalized. Check back in July for updates.
Soft Game Clinic (Level 3.0 & above)
The soft game is where pickleball matches are won and lost — and this clinic dives deep into it. We’ll work through mechanics (drops, dinks, & resets), court positioning, and how to neutralize hard balls with a controlled hand. You’ll learn how to stay patient under pressure, extend rallies with purpose, and set up your attack from a calm, steady position. The soft game is the foundation of elite pickleball, and this is where you build it.
Hard Game Clinic (Level 3.5 & above)
Speed, power, and pressure — this clinic is all about the fast game. We’ll cover attacking mechanics, how to identify and execute speed-ups from both the kitchen and transition zone, defending against hard shots at the body and feet, and converting at the net. Equally important: you’ll learn when to attack and when to stay patient, because timing your aggression is just as critical as the shot itself. Come ready to play at pace and leave with real teeth in your game.
1.5 Hour Beginner Intensive with Play at the End (Level 1.5 – 3.0)
This extended session gives beginners a real foundation to stand on — not just a taste of the game. The first portion covers the essentials in a clear, easy-to-follow format: rules, scoring, serve mechanics, return, groundstrokes, kitchen basics, and court positioning. The second half puts everything into practice with supervised match play, so you can immediately apply what you learned in a real game environment with a coach watching. By the time you leave, you’ll know what you’re doing out there — and you’ll actually feel it.
1.5 Hour Intermediate Intensive with Play at the End (Level 3.0–4.0)
A deeper dive for players who have the basics down and are ready to make a real jump. The instruction portion covers the concepts and shot skills that define this level — third shot execution, soft game fundamentals, transition movement, and strategic point construction. The supervised game time at the end lets you put the work into practice immediately, with live coaching feedback as you play. It’s one of the most efficient ways to improve because the gap between lesson and application is zero.
3 & Me Semi-Private Lesson (All levels)
This is as close as it gets to a private lesson without going one-on-one. You bring three friends, teammates, or fellow players — and a pickleball teaching professional steps on the court as your fourth. During a real game, you receive coaching in real time, including corrections to mechanics as they happen, calling out positioning, talking through strategy mid-point, and feedback you can act on immediately. There’s no better learning environment than playing alongside a pro who’s actively teaching as the game unfolds. The court doesn’t lie, and neither does this format.
Adult Pickleball Events & Mixers
Annual Incline Pickleball Open Tournament – August 15 – 16, 2026 
The Annual Incline Pickleball Open is a fun-filled tennis competition for players of all skill levels. Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed, with Singles and Doubles divisions. This is a great tournament for first-timers, as there is no USAPA association membership required. View more information on the Incline Open Pickleball event page.
Prized Round Robin (Levels 4.0 & above)
All the competitive fire of a money match. This round robin format puts you in real match situations where the score matters, the pressure is genuine, and every point counts. Prizes are on the line, the competition is real, and the format rewards players who compete well when it matters. It’s one of the best ways to work on your mental game, test your skills against a variety of opponents, and have a ton of fun doing it. Details for the Prized Round Robin events are still being finalized. Check back in July for updates.
Pickleball Socials
Anyone looking to play pickleball and meet other players is welcome to join for Pickleball Socials before or after drop-in play. Details for the Pickleball Socials are still being finalized. Check back in July for updates.
Winter Pickleball Programs
Winter Indoor Pickleball at Incline Recreation Center (Nov – Apr)
Come get out of the cold weather and join us for indoor pickleball at the Incline Village Recreation Center during the colder months! The program typically runs from November through mid to late April. View details and updates on the Winter Indoor Pickleball page.
