VOLUNTEER SESSION OPTIONS TO TEACH PICKLEBALL

Currently, as of the 2026 season, these are the three types of sessions we offer at IDOC facilities: 

WEEKLY SESSIONS 

One or more volunteers attend a 90-120 minute session of pickleball that is on the facility's calendar for a set day of the week.  

These sessions work best because relationships are built, and the residents are more likely to build the program from within as they encourage others to join in. 

BI-WEEKLY SESSIONS

One or more volunteers attend a 90-120 minute session of pickleball that is on the facility's calendar for set days of the month, every other week.  

These sessions work because relationships are built between volunteers and residents, and the hope is that residents will work to build the program from within. But the growth may not happen as fast as with weekly sessions. 

ONE AND DONE SESSIONS

One or more volunteers attend a 90-360 minute session to launch pickleball at the facility. 

Focus is on learning the basic rules, how to serve and return, how to score, and, if time, blocks and resets because that is what is most often used during beginner's play.

A quick demonstration of what the game will evolve to as players get better with volunteers is very helpful for residents to start to see the benefits of the softer and more strategic game.