HOUSE PICKLEBALL
Winter Sports
House Pickleball
OBGC Winter Youth Pickleball Program Overview
OBGC is launching an exciting winter youth pickleball program that combines skill development, teamwork, and real competition. Each athlete will practice once per week to learn every major part of the game, then use those skills in a competitive weekend match. The season will build toward a championship finish, giving players a clear goal and a complete competitive program experience from their first serve to the final point.
Registration Information
- Eligible players: Students currently enrolled in grades 3 through 12
- Divisions: Grades 3 through 5, grades 6 through 8, and grades 9 through 12
- Fee: $275 per participant for the full program
- Commitment: One weekday practice and one weekend match each week
- Required equipment: A pickleball paddle, athletic court shoes, and a water bottle
Program Details
Program item | Confirmed information |
3 Grade Divisions | Grades 3 through 5, grades 6 through 8, and grades 9 through 12 |
Registration fee | $275 per participant for the full program. The fee reflects the higher cost of renting dedicated indoor pickleball courts at commercial facilities. |
Weekly commitment | One weekday practice and one competitive match on the weekend. |
Practice locations | Dill Dinkers Rockville, Dill Dinkers North Bethesda, Montgomery TennisPlex, or Greenwood Elementary School |
Match locations | Matches will be held at the same approved Rockville, North Bethesda, and Montgomery TennisPlex locations |
Season dates | Preseason begins December 2, 2026. After the December 17 through January 3 holiday break, the 10-week competitive season runs January 4 through March 13, 2027. |
Equipment | Each participant must bring a pickleball paddle. OBGC can provide families with paddle purchasing references and recommendations |
Practice days and times: Practices will be held on the Monday OR Wednesday dates listed in the schedule below for one hour between the hours of 5:30-9pm. Each age division’s exact practice day, start time and facility assignment will be finalized after registration and court availability are confirmed.
The Player Experience
Weekly skill development. Practices will be active, structured, and age appropriate. Coaches will teach the skills and decisions players need to become confident competitors, while giving every athlete regular repetitions and supervised match play.
- Rules, scoring, court safety, and sportsmanship
- Grip, ready position, footwork, balance, and recovery
- Serving, returning, dinking, volleys, drops, drives, resets, and lobs
- Court positioning, shot selection, partner communication, and doubles strategy
- Competitive drills, point construction, and pressure situations
Weekend competition. Players will compete within their grade division in one scheduled weekend match. These are typically played sometime between the hours of 10am-3pm. Doubles will be the primary format, with additional singles or skill-based competition used when enrollment and court time allow. Results will be tracked throughout the regular season to create meaningful standings.
Championship finish. The season will conclude with championship competition in each grade division. Players will have the chance to put a season of improvement, teamwork, and strategy on display while competing for the OBGC youth pickleball title.
Proposed Season Flow
Phase | Timing | What happens |
Preseason | December 2 through December 16, 2026 | Orientation, evaluation, skill development, team placement, and a preseason scrimmage |
Holiday break | December 17, 2026 through January 3, 2027 | No scheduled practices or matches during the Christmas and New Year’s period |
Competitive season | January 4 through March 7, 2027 | Nine weeks of coached practices, standings matches, and playoff positioning |
Championship week | March 8 through March 13, 2027 | Final practice and championship competition by grade division |
Preseason and Holiday Schedule
Date | Activity |
Wednesday, December 2 | Orientation and player evaluations |
Monday, December 7 | Skills practice and team placement |
Wednesday, December 16 | Final preseason practice and scrimmage |
December 17 through January 3 | Christmas and New Year’s break with no scheduled activities |
Ten Week Competitive Schedule
Week | Practice | Weekend match | Stage |
1 | Monday, January 4 | Saturday, January 9 | Opening weekend |
2 | Wednesday, January 13 | Sunday, January 17 | Regular season |
3 | Wednesday, January 20 | Saturday, January 23 | Regular season |
4 | Monday, January 25 | Sunday, January 31 | Regular season |
5 | Wednesday, February 3 | Saturday, February 6 | Midseason competition |
6 | Monday, February 8 | Saturday, February 13 | Regular season |
7 | Wednesday, February 17 | Sunday, February 21 | Regular season |
8 | Monday, February 22 | Saturday, February 27 | Playoff positioning |
9 | Wednesday, March 3 | Sunday, March 7 | Playoffs and semifinals |
10 | Monday, March 8 | Saturday, March 13 | Championship weekend |
Scheduling note: Practices and matches will rotate among Dill Dinkers Rockville, Dill Dinkers North Bethesda, and Montgomery TennisPlex. Division times and facility assignments will be published after enrollment and court availability are confirmed.