Red BallAges 5+
First paddle, first rally, first love of the game.
Movement, hand-eye coordination, basic rules of play.
Free 30-Minute Evaluation
Spring 2026 · April 11 – June 15
Better than yesterday—together.
Structured pickleball coaching for ages 5–16. We build confident players through competitive play, real strategy, and a growth mindset that lasts beyond the court.
Meet a coach on the court for 30 minutes — free. We’ll see where your child is at and recommend the right group. No commitment.
Spring Tournament — 14 & Under Juniors
Sun, May 3 · 4:00 PM · Dill Dinkers Rockville · 3.0–3.5
Find Your Level
Four color-coded levels guide your child from first paddle to tournament play.
Red BallAges 5+
Orange BallAges 7+
Green BallAges 9+
Yellow BallAges 12+
Red BallAges 5+
Orange BallAges 7+
Green BallAges 9+
Yellow BallAges 12+
Not sure where your child fits? We’ll help you find the right level ↓
Orange BallAges 7+
From rallying to competing — the game starts to click.
Rules mastery, sustained rallying, full-court movement.
Green BallAges 9+
Strategy meets competition. Partnerships form.
Shot selection, court positioning, doubles teamwork.
Yellow BallAges 12+
Coach-curated competitive groups. The pathway to tournament play.
Small groups of 3–5 athletes, custom scheduling, focused prep.
Invite OnlyInquire →
Ready for Tournament Play?
Yellow Ball is our coach-curated competitive track for players 12+ rated 3.0 or above. Small groups of 3–5 athletes, custom scheduling, and focused preparation for tournament play.
$45/session (with 4 players) · Minimum 4-session initial commitment
2 players
$90/player
3 players
$60/player
4 players
$45/player
5 players
$36/player
Minimum 4-week commitment required.
Email Us About Yellow BallOur Coaching Philosophy
We don't just teach pickleball. We develop athletes.
E
Ethics
Win with grace, lose with dignity. Sportsmanship isn't optional.
A
Attitude
A growth mindset is the foundation. Every miss is a lesson.
S
Skills
Anticipation and positioning before complex mechanics. Smart beats strong.
E
Excellence
Not perfection — consistent, measurable improvement every session.
Define → Demonstrate → Drill
We explain the why, show the how, then practice until it’s second nature.
What Parents Say
Real feedback from Next Gen families.
My daughter went from never holding a paddle to asking to practice every day. The coaches made her feel welcome from minute one.
We tried the free trial on a whim and now both our kids are in the program. Best decision we made this year.
The coaches actually assessed my son's skill level and placed him in the right group. It wasn't just a sales pitch — it was a real session.
Meet the Team
Two dads building the program they wished existed for their own kids.
Next Gen was started by Sam and Amine, building a roadmap for our own kids: structured lessons, a positive culture, and a clear path from curiosity to competition.
Our approach is built on the Parent–Coach–Kid Triangle—parents aren’t spectators, they’re partners. Families learn the game together so everyone grows through the sport.
Want to play too? Link & Dink connects adult players across Montgomery County with groups, events, and community—built by the same team behind Next Gen.
Sam Morris
Head Coach & Co-Founder
Sam is a former physical education teacher and father to two boys, Kobe and Owen. As Director of Pickleball Programming at Dill Dinkers (North Bethesda and Rockville), he's been playing since 2019 and coaching since 2021. Sam and his son Kobe spend hours each week throwing, catching, chasing, and playing — this purposeful play helped Kobe start pickleball at age 5, playing full games.
- ✓Director of Pickleball Programming, Dill Dinkers
- ✓Former physical education teacher
- ✓Playing since 2019, coaching since 2021
AL
Amine Lahlou
Co-Founder & Coach
Moroccan-born professional tennis player and coach turned pickleball convert, Amine brings elite racket sport fundamentals to every session. A 4.0+ pickleball player himself, he trains alongside his son Ryan—a Next Gen athlete—and channels that father-son dynamic into everything he teaches. Dad of three, Amine understands the family side of youth sports from the inside out.
- ✓Former professional tennis player and coach
- ✓4.0+ pickleball player | trains alongside son Ryan
- ✓Dad of 3 — brings the family perspective to every session
Let's Find the Right Fit
Tell us about your child and we'll follow up within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything families need to know.
We welcome players ages 5–16. Our Red Ball program starts at age 5, Orange Ball at 7, Green Ball at 9, and Yellow Ball (tournament track) at 12+.
No experience needed! Our Red Ball level is designed for complete beginners. We recommend scheduling a free evaluation so our coaches can place your child in the right group.
Fill out the form on this page and we’ll reach out within 24 hours to help place your child in the right group. You can also visit our Schedule page to browse upcoming sessions and register directly through CourtReserve.
Comfortable athletic clothing, court shoes (non-marking soles), and a water bottle. We provide paddles and balls for all sessions.
We operate at two Dill Dinkers locations in Montgomery County, MD: Rockville (40 Southlawn Court, Suite C) and North Bethesda (4942 Boiling Brook Parkway). Families commonly drive in from Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, Kensington, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Derwood, and Aspen Hill.
Fill out the form below or email us at nextgenacademypb@gmail.com to schedule a 30-minute evaluation. Our coaches will assess your child’s current level and recommend the right program. There’s no cost and no commitment.
Group classes at the Red, Orange, and Green Ball levels are priced per season on CourtReserve — browse exact sessions on our Schedule page. Our Yellow Ball small-group tournament track runs $36–$90 per player per session depending on group size (2–5 athletes). The 30-minute evaluation that determines placement is always free.
Yes. Pickleball is one of the safest racket sports for children: the court is smaller than tennis, the paddle is lightweight, and the ball moves at lower speeds than a tennis ball. USA Pickleball’s official youth progression uses color-coded balls (Red, Orange, Green, Yellow) with reduced bounce and compression so kids learn proper technique before the game speeds up. Our coaches are trained in youth-appropriate drills, warmups, and game formats.
Red Ball (ages 5+) uses a soft, slow foam ball and a smaller court — ideal for first-time players learning movement and basic rules. Orange Ball (ages 7+) has a slightly higher bounce for sustained rallies and full-court play. Green Ball (ages 9+) introduces doubles strategy, shot selection, and positioning. Yellow Ball (ages 12+) is the standard tournament ball and our competitive-pathway track for players who want to compete. Every child is placed based on skill during a free evaluation, not age alone.
Yes. In addition to group classes, we offer private and semi-private lessons tailored to each athlete. Head Coach Sam Morris is Director of Pickleball Programming at Dill Dinkers; Co-Founder Amine Lahlou is a former professional tennis player. Email nextgenacademypb@gmail.com or call 301-325-4731 to schedule.
Yes. We accept new players throughout the season. Start with a free 30-minute evaluation and our coaches will place your child into the current session that fits their level and schedule. Pro-rated pricing is available for partial-season joins.
Our two locations in Rockville and North Bethesda are within 15 minutes of Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, Kensington, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Derwood, Aspen Hill, and most of the DMV. Families regularly travel from across Montgomery County and Northwest DC.
Still have questions?
Find Us
Rockville
Dill Dinkers, 40 Southlawn Court, Suite C
Rockville, MD 20850
North Bethesda
Dill Dinkers, 4942 Boiling Brook Parkway
North Bethesda, MD 20852