Pickleball Open Play at Sinking Spring YMCA

At the Y, we believe pickleball is more than just a game, it’s a community. Our open play sessions are friendly, inclusive, and designed to help players of every skill level enjoy the sport in a supportive environment. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned player, open play offers something for everyone.

Open play is free for members, while nonmembers can participate by purchasing a day pass at the Welcome Center. Members and guests can view and reserve open play sessions through Court Reserve. YMCA members may book up to five days in advance, and nonmembers can reserve one hour before the session begins.

To join Court Reserve, visit this page and click “Create Account” at the top right corner. Start with a YMCA Guest account, then contact the Sinking Spring YMCA Welcome Center to have it upgraded to Member status. All open play participants must check in with the Welcome Center staff before heading to the courts.

Interested in learning more about pickleball open play at the YMCA? Call the Sinking Spring YMCA Welcome Center at (610) 678-0484, or register for the “Interested in More Info” session below. A staff member will follow up to help you get started.

Learn-to-Play Pickleball Events

Ready to learn the fastest-growing sport in America? Our Learn-to-Play Pickleball events are perfect for beginners. No experience or equipment is required, just wear athletic shoes, bring your enthusiasm, and we’ll provide everything else.

These beginner-friendly sessions are offered periodically at YMCA branches throughout Berks County. If there aren’t any sessions currently scheduled, you can register for the “Interested in More Info” session below to let us know you’d like to participate. Once enough players sign up, we’ll schedule a new Learn-to-Play event and contact you first. There’s no cost or obligation to express interest, just a chance to get on the list!

Cost: YMCA Members $10 | Nonmembers $15

Instructional Pickleball Clinics

Pickleball clinics at the Sinking Spring Y offer a structured, fun, and highly effective way to develop specific aspects of your game over time. Each clinic consists of four one-hour sessions, held every other week over eight weeks, allowing participants to learn new skills, practice them in live play, and return ready to build on what they’ve developed. The registration cost covers all 4 sessions.

Various clinic levels are offered, ensuring players can find the right fit whether they’re picking up a paddle for the first time, looking to add a new shot to their game, or developing for advanced strategies. Each level focuses on targeted skill development, giving participants time to absorb new concepts, apply them in games, and continue progressing throughout the season.

Clinics are led by Master Teaching Professional Chris Riportella, whose engaging, scaffolded teaching style blends group instruction with personalized coaching. Chris weaves technical development into game play—circulating throughout the session to give individualized feedback while keeping the environment upbeat and enjoyable.

Beginner Clinic:

Clinic Description: This clinic is for people who have never played the game or have only played a handful of times.
These sessions are focused primarily on proper stroke development and execution as well as a general understanding of the game and basic rules. By the end of this clinic the participant should be able to play a game with some technique and keep score without the assistance of the instructor. Each session a concept will be reviewed, a new one is learned and players will get to play some real points.

Clinic Dates/Time: Every-other Wednesday from 6:00pm-7:00pm, starting November 5, 2025

Session Details:

• Session 1 – The Basics – 11/5/2025: In this session players are introduced to the fundamentals of the court and some basic rules. Dinking, serving and returning are the focus strokes as they will also learn the basics of scoring, rotating as they begin to play the game.
• Session 2 – Serving, Returning, and Movement – 11/19/2025: After a brief review of the previous week’s concepts, we will focus on strategic serving and returning through the groundstroke as well as movement up to the non-volley (kitchen) line. Again, games will be played to reinforce the concepts taught.
• Session 3 – The Punch Volley – 12/3/2025: Following a brief review of session two, the scope of this session includes the pickleball punch volley which is different than any other racquet sport. Proper technique of forehand and backhand are introduced to obtain the best accuracy. The session finishes with some games as the punch volley is evaluated during play.
• Session 4 – Dinking and 3rd Shot Choices – 12/17/2025: This session breaks down the dink and the choices a player has when executing the tricky third shot. More time is allocated for game play as all concepts come together in this last session.

Intermediate/Advanced Clinic:

Clinic Description: The material in this clinic still focuses on the key concepts of pickleball and what is necessary to help intermediate and advanced players take the next step however the material is updated to include some new strokes and modern concepts of the game. This clinic is for players who are fairly consistent when hitting slow to medium paced shots, but are not comfortable with all strokes. They attempt control when trying for direction, depth, or power on their shots but may miss their target. They are beginning to use dinks and lobs but struggle to use them to setup points. This player has become knowledgeable with the rules and communication with partner during play. They still prefer forehand shots however they do not shy away from backhand shots. They are beginning to use drive and drop shots as 3rd shot choices. Intermediate clinics are focused primarily on court positioning, playing with a partner, strategy and probability. Proper stroke execution is a requirement for the intermediate level.

Clinic Dates/Time: Every-other Wednesday from 5:00pm-6:00pm OR 7:00pm-8:00pm, starting November 5, 2025

• If you are interested in the Intermediate/Advanced Clinic but can only attend the 7:00pm session and it is currently full, please register for the “Waitlist” session. Our staff is actively working to create more space and will move you into the session if spaces becomes available.

Session Details:

• Session 1 – Dinks and Drops – 11/5/2025: In this session, players focus on the use of dinks as strategic shots. Advanced concepts of offense and defense will be discussed as well as moving the opponent and setting up points. Drops and resets will also be covered. For the first time movement and footwork will be addressed as these are key to the successful execution of these strokes. The “x-theory” will be discussed to help understand who covers the ball.
• Session 2 – Volleys – 11/19/2025: Players will review block and punch volleys and how they are used in the game. The core of this session is strategic selection of the volley given court position and partner. In addition, two overhead choices will be covered. Concepts from session one and two will come together as we discuss working out of the transition zone.
• Session 3 – Power, Placement, and Speedups – 12/3/2025: The scope of this session includes strategic use of power, shot selection, placement vs power. Understanding the ratio of power and placement and when to use each is a key takeaway. When and how to speed up the ball is covered in detail.
• Session 4 – Serve, Return, and Then What? – 12/17/2025: This clinic begins to weaponize the serve to create advantages. We will discuss where to return the ball to maximize your winning percentage. Finally, understanding your choices for the third shot and how to get up to the line will be explored in more detail. How and when to communicate on the court will also be addressed.

Need 1-on-1 instruction from an experienced Pickleball Professional to take your game to the next level? We’ve got you covered at the Sinking Spring YMCA!

Lessons are $80 for members and $120 for the community. Once registered, a Pickleball Professional will contact you within the next 48 hours to schedule your lesson!

Three & Me 

Cost:

Members: $75 ($25 / player)

Community: $105 ($35 / player)

This is an opportunity to play with and against a high-level Pickleball Professional while also receiving instruction.

The session allows for 3 players, and the Pickleball Professional will play in the foursome with the other three players.

As points unfold, moments of instruction will be reviewed using real, game time situations. Decision-making, shot selection, and setting up points are the focus of these sessions.

Once registered, a Pickleball Professional will contact you within 48 hours to schedule your lesson!

Session 1:

• January 8, 15, 22, and 29^th, with February 5^th as a possible snow makeup
• 3.0-3.4- 6:00-7:00 pm
• 3.5-4.0 7:00-8:00 pm

Session 2:

• Session 2: February 12, 19, 26, March 5, with 12th as a snow makeup session.
• 3.0-3.4- 6:00-7:00 pm
• 3.5-4.0 7:00-8:00 pm

Rental Contracts

Rental contracts are available for groups looking for consistent, guaranteed court time. Generally, rental contracts are limited to courts 5 and 6. To express interest in this service and to begin the registration process, contact Dawn Stump ([email protected]).

Court Rental

Courts may also be rented for one-time or short-term use. Rentals are a great option for those looking to secure court time for private play, practice, or casual matches. Standard rentals are for a maximum of 4 players per court. Courts can be rented at the following rates:

• YMCA Members: $20 per hour
• Non-Members: $35 per hour

For more information or to rent a court, contact the Sinking Spring YMCA Welcome Center by calling 610-678-0484 or emailing [email protected].

Court Access

YMCA members enjoy complimentary access to open court time on a walk-on basis or by reserving up to 24 hours in advance in the Court Reserve app. Courts may only be booked in advance for one hour of play per group of 4 players. If a court is unreserved, members or guests on a day pass may check in at the Welcome Center for immediate play.