Coach Sam · Frederick, MD
Pickleball classes at The Pickl Park.
Sam leads a weekly block of group clinics and skills assessments at the club in Frederick — beginner fundamentals through net play under pressure. Register through the venue and show up ready to hit.
355 Ballenger Center Dr, Frederick, MD 21703
What Sam teaches here
Seven classes, one ladder.
They stack on purpose — start where your game is, and each one feeds the next. When a class has upcoming dates listed here, choose one to open that session's registration page. Otherwise, check the venue's current clinic listing for the class and coach you want.
101 — Intro to Pickleball
New to the sportMondays, 10:00–11:00am
- For you if
- You've never held a paddle — or you've played twice at a friend's place and want to actually know what you're doing.
- What you'll work on
- Grip and ready position, the serve and the return, and the two rules that trip up every new player: the kitchen, and the double bounce.
- You leave with
- Real points played, not drills in a line.
101A — Repetition & Foundations
Newer players · fundamentalsRuns periodically, midday
- For you if
- You're newer to pickleball and want the fundamentals. You don't need to have taken 101 first.
- What you'll work on
- High-volume reps on the fundamentals. The same swing, over and over, until it holds up against a live ball.
- You leave with
- Mechanics that survive contact.
104 — Third Shot Drops
Rallying comfortablyRuns periodically, midday
- For you if
- You're stuck at the baseline because every third shot comes back at your feet.
- What you'll work on
- Contact point, arc, and target on the shot that gets you off the baseline — lift with the legs, not the wrist — plus what to do when the drop comes back high.
- You leave with
- A way off the baseline.
201 — Net Play & Dinking Under Pressure
Regular playerMondays, 11:00am–12:00pm
- For you if
- You can rally fine, but the point falls apart once everybody gets to the net.
- What you'll work on
- Dink patterns, resetting a ball that's coming at you fast, when to speed it up, and how to hold your position when the pace climbs.
- You leave with
- A plan for the kitchen line instead of a reaction.
204 — Defense to Offense: Mid-Court Play
Regular player- For you if
- You're solid at the baseline and solid at the net, and the space in between is where points get away.
- What you'll work on
- The reset — the soft ball from mid-court that drops into their kitchen and buys you time to get set — plus reading which balls to take out of the air, and turning a scramble back into your point.
- You leave with
- Somewhere to go when you get caught in the middle.
Skills Assessment — Beginner/Intermediate
New to solid recMondays 12:00–1:00pm · Tuesdays 10:00–11:00am
- For you if
- You've never had your game measured against anything but the scoreboard — rated or not.
- What you'll work on
- A structured hour across serve, return, dinks, drops, and movement, scored the same way every time — so it's a baseline you can come back to and beat.
- You leave with
- A written report, a rating, and the two things to work on next.
Skills Assessment — Intermediate/Advanced
Competitive rec & upMondays 1:00–2:00pm · Tuesdays 11:00am–12:00pm
- For you if
- You've plateaued, and the reason isn't obvious from inside the match.
- What you'll work on
- Same format, higher ceiling: pressure-tested reads, what to do in the mid-court, and shot selection once you're tired.
- You leave with
- A written report, a rating, and a clear read on what's capping you.
How to join
Three steps to your first class.
- Pick your level — new to the sport starts at 101; if you're unsure where you stand, book a Skills Assessment and find out.
- Register through The Pickl Park — the venue handles booking and payment on its own platform, where the schedule stays current.
- Show up and play — loaner paddles and balls are there. Bring court shoes and water.
Prefer one-on-one?
Private lessons at the same courts.
Group classes move at the group's pace. If you want the hour built entirely around your game — or you'd rather work through something specific without an audience — Sam takes private lessons at The Pickl Park too.
Common questions
Questions, answered.
Where exactly are the classes?
The Pickl Park, 355 Ballenger Center Dr, Frederick, MD 21703 — eight cushioned indoor courts, so classes run in any weather.
How do I register?
The Pickl Park handles booking and payment. If a class card shows a date, use it to open that session's registration page. Otherwise, view the venue's current clinic listing and confirm the class, coach and availability before booking.
Do I need my own paddle?
No. Loaner paddles are available for first-timers, and balls are provided. Court shoes and water are the only things worth bringing on day one.
Which class should I start with?
If you've never played, 101. If you play socially and want to stop losing points at the net, 201. If you're not sure where you stand — or you want a real number to train against — book a Skills Assessment first.
How many people are in a class?
Small enough that you get individual feedback every session. Classes cap out and fill on a first-come basis, so booking ahead through the listing is the safe move.
Do you also teach privately in Frederick?
Yes. Private lessons at The Pickl Park run alongside the group classes — send a request and Sam will confirm a time.