Want Players to Stick Around? Don’t Skimp on Player Development Coaching

Here's a truth we've learned after working with countless pickleball facilities across the country: 

Getting people through the door isn't the hard part—keeping them coming back is where most facilities struggle.

Remember when you first started playing pickleball? Chances are, some friendly regular took you under their wing, showed you the basics, and helped you feel like part of the community. That organic mentorship was the secret sauce that hooked so many people on the sport.

But with courts more crowded than ever, that natural onboarding process is disappearing. 

Today's new players aren't finding those helpful mentors—they're finding long wait times and experienced players who just want to get their games in.

So if you run a facility, the question isn't whether you need structured player development—it's how quickly can you build it?

The Problem: One-and-Done Programming Doesn't Work

Let's talk about what most facilities get wrong: they treat player development like a single event instead of an ongoing journey.

The typical approach looks something like this:

• Offer a basic "Intro to Pickleball" class

• End with a membership sales pitch

• Hope players figure out the rest on their own

This creates a massive disconnect. New players walk away thinking, "That was fun, but I still don't even know how to keep score properly... and now they want me to commit to $129 a month?"

What the Numbers Tell Us About Player Development

Recent data from our friends at StackEleven Marketing tells a compelling story about where the real opportunity lies. In a recent campaign test for a client, they ran three separate ad sets:

• $30 Intro to Pickleball Clinics

• FREE Pickleball for Opening Week

• Email List for Important Updates

Surprisingly, the Intro Clinics outperformed everything else—generating 212 leads at just $1.90 per lead, significantly better than the "free play" offers that most would assume would attract more interest.

Why? Because most potential members aren't looking for somewhere to play—they're looking to learn how to play. 

When we implemented these development pathways at our JDC certified facilities, we saw dramatic improvements in player retention, membership conversions, and overall facility revenue.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Player Development Pathway

Ready to create a system that turns first-timers into lifetime players? Here's how to build a player development pathway that actually works:

1. Rethink Your Intro Experience

Don't just teach the basics—create an experience that gets players excited for what's next:

• Focus on fun first, technique second

• Ensure players experience early success (even if it's simplified)

• End with a clear "next step" that feels achievable, not a hard membership sell

COACHING INSIGHT: The hallmark of excellent coaching isn't grinding through drills—it's designing engaging activities that develop skills without players even realizing they're practicing. The best coaches can “trick” students by making skill development feel like play, not work.

2. Create "Next Level" Skill Clinics

Instead of dropping players into the deep end after one class, offer focused follow-ups:

• Shot-specific workshops (60 minutes on just dinking, serving, or third-shot drops)

• Drills that reinforce fundamentals while building confidence

• Small-group settings where questions are encouraged

3. Develop a "Road to 3.0" Program

This is where the magic happens. A structured 6-week program that:

• Builds skills systematically with each session

• Creates a cohort of players progressing together

• Establishes clear milestones so players can track improvement

4. Build Community at Every Level

The social aspect of pickleball is just as important as the skills:

• Organize level-appropriate play opportunities

• Create social events specifically for program graduates

• Connect players of similar skill levels to form regular groups or leagues

5. Keep the Progression Going

Don't stop at 3.0! Develop pathways for continued growth:

• Create "Road to 3.5" and "Road to 4.0" programs for motivated players

• Offer strategy sessions focusing on court positioning and game management

• Provide competitive play opportunities for those who want them

Player development coaching supports players at every level

Why 3.5 Players Are Your Facility's Most Valuable Members

While many facilities chase after the highest-rated players for prestige, our ROI analysis tells a different story. 

For most pickleball businesses, 3.5 level players are your bread and butter because:

• They participate in the widest range of programming

• They represent all demographics (men, women, seniors, youth)

• They balance competitive development with social enjoyment

• They're active spenders on additional services like lessons, equipment, and food

In contrast, 5.0+ players often focus primarily on competitive play and typically generate less overall revenue for facilities (unless you're specifically known as a high-performance training center).

Implementation Tips

All of this sounds great in theory, but how do you actually put it into practice? 

Here are some real-world strategies that work:

1. Create Visual Progress Markers

One club owner we work with developed a simple "Player Progression Chart" that:

• Shows clear steps from beginner to advanced player

• Highlights specific skills needed for each level

• Connects each skill level to appropriate programs

Players love seeing where they are and what's next in their development journey.

2. Train Your Staff to Guide Players

Your team needs to understand the full player pathway:

• Front desk staff should know which programs to recommend based on player experience

• Coaches should communicate "next steps" at the end of every session

• Everyone should understand how to identify and address skill gaps

3. Package Programs Strategically

Instead of marketing standalone classes, consider:

• Offering discounted "progression packages" that encourage commitment to multiple levels

• Creating punch cards that reward consistent participation

• Developing membership tiers specifically tied to development programs

4. Leverage Technology to Track Progress

To ensure your development pathway is working, leverage technology like PodPlay that can enhance your coaching programs:

• Player Ratings Integration: PodPlay integrates with DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), allowing facilities to track player improvement over time and use ratings for program placement

• Digital Scoreboards: Players can capture their game results and track progression through different skill levels

• Enhanced Learning: Video replay features let coaches review games with players to identify areas for improvement

• Seamless Programming: Create and manage your structured player pathways all within one system that players can access via your facility's branded app

Next Steps for Your Facility

Whether you're planning a new pickleball facility or looking to boost your current offerings, player development should be at the core of your coaching strategy.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do we have a clear pathway for players from day one to year one?

• Are we actively guiding players to appropriate next steps?

• Do our programs build both skills and community connections?

• Can we clearly articulate what makes each level of programming valuable?

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, there's room for improvement in your player development approach.

Ready to build a player pathway that creates both better players and better business results? Contact JDC for a customized player development strategy that fits your facility and market.