Pickleball Lessons, Tournaments & Events
in Hickory, NC
• IPTPA Level I & II Certified Pickleball Instructor
• Pickleball Tournament Director
• IPTPA Certified Rating Specialist
✔️ “3 and Me” Pickleball Lessons
✔️ Learn-2-Play Pickleball Clinics
✔️ Private & Group Lessons
✔️ Pickleball Speed-Ball Cardio Clinics
I’m an Ambassador; shop with this link or Discount Code ‘MarianErikson’ for $10 off.
This is my affiliate link, meaning you pay the same price, I receive benefits. 🥰
Reviews
Get In Touch...Have questions?
Want me to run your next tournament or corporate pickleball event?
Reach out to me. I’d love to hear from you!
Lessons & Clinics
I teach lessons and clinics at Pebble Creek Sports Club, 605 29th Ave NE, Hickory NC 28601.
PRIVATE LESSONS
INVID. OR GROUP PRIVATE LESSONS
1-hr (1-4 Players)
$45 (total) for members of Pebble Creek
$50 (total) for non-members
Book a private lesson for just yourself or for your group (up to 4 players total). Select a date and time that works for you.
For a group, just divide the total cost among everyone.
THREE AND ME
“3 AND ME” PICKLEBALL LESSONS
1- or 2-hrs (3 Players)
$45 (divided by 3) for members of Pebble Creek
$50 (divided by 3) for non-members
Have 3 players at the same skill level? ”3-and-Me” lessons are a fun and effective way to learn. In this coached gameplay, I play with each of the three participants, providing immediate feedback and tips, while we work on doubles strategies and shot selection.
GROUP CLINICS
CLINICS & DRILLING SESSIONS
(Min 3, Max 4 Players)
1-hr $12/ea members, $15/ea non-members
1.5-hrs $18/ea members, $23/ea non-members
2-hr $25/ea members, $30/ea non-members
Pickleball clinics are group lessons where you sign up as an individual and learn with others at your same skill level. I offer clinics for people new to the game as well as for players at various skill levels looking to improve their game.
Learn to Play
Pickleball 101 Clinic
PICKLEBALL 101
LEARN TO PLAY
2-Hrs
[Min 3, Max 4 Students]
$25 ea for Pebble Creek members
$30 ea for non-members
(or $100 total for private lesson, up to 4 people)
For players BRAND NEW TO THE GAME. We’ll cover the basic skills of how to hold your paddle, basic footwork, dinking, serving, returning, groundstrokes, rules, and how to keep score. There will be 20-30 minutes of coached gameplay to conclude the session.
Learn to Play Pickleball
for Tennis Players
PICKLEBALL for TENNIS PLAYERS
LEARN TO PLAY
2-Hrs
[Min 3, Max 4 Students]
$25 ea for Pebble Creek members
$30 ea for non-members
(or $100 total for private lesson, up to 4 people)
Tennis players already have the racquet sports background. In this accelerated Learn-to-Play clinic, learn how to play pickleball - what tennis things to keep and adapt, what to leave behind, and what new things to learn for the pickleball court. There will be 20-30 minutes of coached gameplay to conclude the session.
What’s Next After Pickleball 101?
JUMP IN AND START PLAYING!
2. CONTINUE LEARNING
Improve your game by continuing to hone your skills and strategy with lessons and clinics.
You can book private lessons for yourself, or for a group of up to 4 people. “3 and Me” lessons are great too, where you bring 3 students and I play with each of you, focusing on shot selection, positioning, etc.
Do you have a couple specific shots you want to work on? Let’s do it!
Want a private lesson based on one of the lesson plans below? Let book it!
Next-Level Pickleball Lessons
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PICKLEBALL 201
TRANSITION ZONE FUNDAMENTALS
2-Hrs
[Max 4 Students]
$50/Hr ($100 total or $25 ea if 4 players)For those who KNOW HOW TO PLAY, know the basic shots, and want to improve their game. This clinic takes a deeper dive into efficient, effective footwork, as well as tips and techniques for volleys, blocks and resets in the transition zone. We’ll pull it all together and cover court positioning and strategy during coached gameplay.
PRE-REQUISITE: Know how to play pickleball, know the basic shots covered above - and want to improve upon them.
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PICKLEBALL 301
DINKS, DROPS, SPEEDUPS, LOBS, AND THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE
2-Hrs
[Max 4 Students]
$50/Hr ($100 total or $25 ea if 4 players)This clinic focuses on strategies and techniques to improve your kitchen game. We’ll cover dinking with a purpose; not only proper footwork and technique, but where to dink, when to take dinks out of the air and when to let them bounce, and how to surprise your opponents with speedups and lobs from the NVZ. Drop shots are covered next; they help you get to the kitchen. We’ll finish with coached gameplay putting it all into practice.
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PICKLEBALL 302
THIRDS & FOURTHS
2-Hrs
[Max 4 Students]
$50/Hr ($100 total or $25 ea if 4 players)This clinic focuses on the important 3rd and 4th shots in pickleball. Students will learn how to hit 3rd shot drops, 3rd shot drives, and the ‘new school’ 3rd, and how to choose WHICH one to hit WHEN. Learn how to know if your 3rd is good enough to approach the NVZ, and how to approach together. The 4th shots covered include blocks and punch volleys, designed to keep your opponents back. We’ll finish with drills and coached gameplay to put it into action.
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HOW TO BEAT BANGERS
2-Hrs
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IMPROVE CONSISTENCY
2-Hrs
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2-HANDED BACKHAND
Drives & Dinks
1-Hr
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TOPSPIN ON DRIVES, SERVES, & DINKS
1-Hr
Recommended Pickleball Paddles
I’m an ambassador for 11SIX24 Pickleball. Why?
Because they offer top-quality paddles for unbeatable prices!
After about 3-4 months of playing several times per week and hitting spin, the gritty carbon fiber or kevlar surface on paddles wears down. That’s why I use, and recommend, 11SIX24 paddles. They’re high-quality, yet affordable. Why spend $200 for a paddle that only lasts a few months? Sure there’s a 1-year warranty on most paddles, but only against manufacturer defects, not surface wear.
11SIX24 paddles are top-rated by the YouTube Paddle reviewer gurus and they’re reasonably priced! $89, $119, or $159 with my discount code “MarianErikson”.
11SIX24 Pickleball is based in Charlotte, NC, and offers excellent customer services as well!
Use Discount Code MarianErikson for an extra $10 off.
11SIX24 Hurache-X
Elongated Paddle
Choose Power Level:
Control, All Court, or Power
11SIX24 Pegasus
Wide Body Paddle
Choose Power Level:
Control, All Court, or Power
11SIX24 Vapor
Hybrid Shaped Paddle
Choose Power Level:
Control, All Court, or Power
Use Discount Code MarianErikson for an extra $10 off.
I love this bag!
11SIX24 Essentials Pickleball Backpack
Simplicity & Durability
Built for the dedicated pickleball player who values function and reliability, the Essentials backpack delivers exactly what you need without unnecessary frills. Crafted from high-grade recycled materials, premium YKK zippers, and bright green interior for visibility, this bag combines environmental consciousness with lasting durability.
Tacky Overgrips (10-Pack)
These are my favorite overgrips. I love the feel (and the colors!)
Protective Edge Tape (3-Pack)
Fits both 14mm and 16mm paddles.
Other Pickleball Gift Ideas
(& Gear I Use & Recommend!)
I’m a PickleballCentral.com affiliate, and an 11SIX24 Pickleball Ambassador. If you purchase from Pickleball Central using this general link, it helps me out. And if you use discount code MarianErikson when purchasing on 11SIX24, it helps me AND you; you receive a $10 discount on paddles and bags!
These are my favorite shoes! They provide stability and comfort; they feel like a hug for my feet! I buy multiple pairs when they’re on sale and rotate them each day to ensure they dry out completely.
This ball caddy is great. I keep it in my car, stocked with practice balls. The ball tube is expandable, but I always leave it extended, and simply use the straps to hook it over the caddy handles.
Keeping this ball caddy handy is a great way to practice and drill!
Pickleball Central has some great jewelry gifts. A fun way to show your pickleball passion when you’re not on the courts!
These are my favorite pickleball socks! (And I always get complements on them.)
The Ascott or Gaiter is great as a neck warmer in cold weather, or a headband to keep your hair back.
And the gloves are fantastic in colder weather. The words “pickleball” on the palms are made of grippy material.
I’m not a DeFeet affiliate, but DeFeet is an awesome local (Hickory, NC) company owned by my friend and pickleball partner Hope Cooper (pictured with me in the About Me section on the Pickleball page).
About Me
MARIAN ERIKSON
IPTPA Level I and II Certified Pickleball Instructor
IPTPA Certified Rating Specialist
Pickleball Tournament Director
I’m a Certified Pickleball Instructor and Pickleball Tournament Director based in Hickory, NC. I’m Canadian born & raised but have been calling the USA ‘home’ since 1999. 🇨🇦 🇺🇸
I was a 4.0 tennis player when I attended my first beginner pickleball clinic, and haven’t looked back. Pickleball has become my passion. Not only do I love learning and improving my skills with play, drilling, and taking lessons myself, but I love helping others learn to love the game. I’m a student of the game, always focused on learning new strategies, and keeping up with the latest YouTube teachings from Pros. And I’m a huge fan of, and always recommend, the 4.0 to Pro podcast!
My specialty lies in working with beginner to intermediate players; focusing on technique, strategy, and the mental aspects of the game.
I look forward to supporting you on your pickleball journey, whether you’re just starting out, or looking to take your game to the next level.
Marian Erikson
IPTPA Level I & II Certified Pickleball Instructor.
IPTPA Certified Rating Specialist.
Pickleball Tournament Director.
Call or Text: 828-308-8454
Email: Marian@MarianErikson.com