Bounce & Boom Racquet Sports – Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve gathered the most common questions to make your experience easy from registration to your last class of the season. We look forward to seeing you on the courts!
Table of Contents
General Program Information and Programs
What programs do you offer?
We offer weekly tennis and pickleball programs for kids and adults in cooperation with the parks & recreation departments of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Falls Church, and Vienna. Check out our programs page for current and upcoming programs.
When are classes held?
We offer group programming over the course of 4 seasons with each season running approximately 8–10 weeks.
Where are classes held?
We offer programs in Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax County and Vienna. Check the seasonal schedule for exact locations.
How many players are in a class?
Adult classes have a 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio or less and youth classes have a 6:1 student-to-instructor ratio or less. These are among the lowest ratios offered through parks & recreation departments in northern Virginia.
Can teens join adult classes?
Yes — while we do offer some classes specifically for teens, players ages 15 and up are welcome in adult classes. Occasionally, high school players join the adults, often with a parent as a family activity. For those adult students who inquire accordingly, we’ve not had a class where teens outnumber adults.
Do all court locations have restrooms?
Not all locations have restroom facilities. Please check your program’s specific site in advance and plan accordingly.
What are the drop-off and pick-up procedures for youth programs?
For safety, parents/guardians must walk their child to the court and pick them up directly from the court at the end of class. Players may not be dropped off or collected from the parking lot.
What should I bring to class?
Players should bring the following:
Tennis or pickleball paddle/racquet
Non-marking tennis/court shoes are important (no running shoes, sandals, Crocs, or open-toed shoes). Click here to see the difference between running shoes and court shoes.
Comfortable athletic clothes
Water bottle
Sunscreen/hat for outdoor classes
Protective eyewear (highly recommended for pickleball)
In general, we do not provide racquets/paddles. If you need financial assistance with a racquet/paddle, contact your municipality and we will provide a loaner for you.
Where can I buy or try equipment?
We recommend Alpine Ski (and Racquet) Shop for all your tennis and pickleball needs. They carry a curated selection of racquets, paddles, and court shoes. Additionally, they allow you to demo paddles/racquets and apply the demo fee toward your purchase. For pickleball, many players choose a mid-weight paddle for a balance of power and control. They also offer a 2-paddle and 3-ball value package for $99.
If you need financial assistance with a racquet/paddle, contact your municipality and we will provide a loaner for you.
How do I choose the right pickleball paddle or racquet?
Check out these helpful guides:
A general guide for racquet size by height is:
Under 3’11” → 19–21 inch racquet
3’11”–4’4” → 23 inch racquet
4’4”–4’8” → 25 inch racquet
4’8” and up → 26–27 inch racquet
What should I look for when buying a racquet or paddle?
Kids: Lighter racquets with appropriate length (see sizing guide). Composite racquets ($30–$50) offer better performance than older aluminum models.
Adults: Choose the correct grip size and racquet head size for your playing style. Avoid old or deeply discounted racquets—they may be outdated in weight and design.
Pickleball paddles: Select a paddle certified for tournament play, with mid-weight paddles providing a good balance of power and control.
Registration & Payment
How do I register for a class?
All registrations are handled online directly through our municipal partners. Visit our programs page and select your municipality to see the tennis and pickleball program schedules and register.
When does registration open?
Registration generally opens 4–6 weeks before classes begin and closes upon the meeting of the second class. Classes fill quickly—join our Bounce-Boom Listserv at the bottom of our webpage to get reminders about upcoming registration dates.
What is the “reading period”?
Classes are posted online one week before registration opens. If a class shows as “unavailable”, it does not mean it’s full or canceled—during the reading period it just means registration hasn’t opened yet.
Do I need a parks & recreation household account to register?
Yes. Each municipality requires a free household account before registering. We encourage you to set this up early so you’re ready when registration opens.
How do I know my registration went through?
You’ll receive a confirmation email and pdf receipt from the municipality. You can also log in to your household account to verify.
What payment methods are accepted?
Most municipalities accept credit/debit cards online. Check your municipality’s site for details.
Who do I contact for registration issues?
Contact your municipality’s recreation department directly at the phone numbers below:
Arlington Parks and Recreation: 703-228-4747
City of Alexandria RCPA: 703 746 5402
City of Fall Church Recreation and Parks: 703-248-5077
Fairfax County Park Authority: 703-222-4664
Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation: 703 255-6360
Do residency privileges apply and do fees differ for non-residents?
Yes. Residents have the first and exclusive opportunity to register during the first week of the registration period. Thereafter, municipalities allow non-residents to register with a small surcharge. Each municipality sets its own pricing and residency rules. Check your municipality’s registration site for details.
What is the refund policy?
As fees are not collected directly by Bounce-Boom Racquet Sports, refunds are processed according to each municipality’s policy. Please review before registering.
Can I transfer to a different class after registering?
Transfers depend on availability and must be arranged directly with the municipality. Students must be officially registered in the class they are attending.
What if the class I want is full?
Join the waitlist! This can be done free of charge by clicking “add to selection list”. After joining, a receipt will be sent with your waitlist number.
Adding your name is free and important as spots are filled in order. Waitlist notifications come directly from the municipality. There is usually some natural movement in enrollment prior to start date as players transfer or develop conflicts in their schedule. These changes can occur as late as the first week of classes.
If you can’t get in your preferred class, visit our programs page and consider a nearby program at one of our other municipalities as an alternative.
Why aren’t coaches listed before the season starts?
Because our staff includes many part-time instructors with varying availability, we finalize assignments shortly before classes begin. This flexibility allows us to offer more classes and keep student-to-coach ratios small. If you’d like to request a particular coach, you can note that to us and we’ll do our best to accommodate. We also welcome your feedback on coaches throughout the season.
Weather & Cancellations
How will I know if class is canceled due to weather?
Weather cancellations are determined site-by-site and students are notified directly via text (preferred) by our coaching staff. Be sure your preferred contact information, especially cell phone, is updated on your parks and recreation account. Classes may be cancelled for
Rain or wet courts
Thunder or lightning in the area (including a 30-minute delay after the last strike)
Extreme temperatures with unsafe “feels like” conditions (below 40 degrees or 100 degrees or higher)
Please do not contact the coach or parks & recreation staff about the status of your class. We closely monitor weather conditions and make every effort to play.
What happens if my class is canceled because of the weather?
All weather cancellations receive tuition credits. Credits are issued to your household account by parks & recreation, generally 2–3 weeks after the season ends. Thus, students have no financial risk due to weather.
Do you allow make-up classes?
No. We recommend registering for a class that fits your schedule for the full season. Make-ups, drop-ins and sending a substitute are not permitted. Students must attend the class for which they are registered.
Do you schedule make-up classes?
No, we do not schedule make-up classes for canceled classes. We maximize the calendar to schedule as many class dates as possible each season, thus classes canceled due to weather receive tuition credits at the end of the season.
Private Lessons
What types of private lessons do you offer?
Each season we offer private lessons in 4–5 week blocks on a set schedule, held once per week. Options include:
1:1 Private Lesson: $100/hour
2:1 Semi-Private Lesson: $65/player/hour
3:1 or more Private Group Lesson: $50/player/hour
How are coaches assigned for private lessons?
Private lessons are taught by our highest-level staff so we can cover all experience levels—from beginner to advanced. Our full coaching chart is usually finalized about one week before classes start.
How do I register?
Look for private lessons posted online through your municipality (prices are shown at the 1:1 rate). Register just as you would for any group class.
Can I convert a private lesson into a semi-private or private group?
Yes. We do not match players—you’ll need to form your own group. Once you’ve registered the primary player, you can add additional players by contacting us at info@bounceboom.com to add them. All players must be registered for the lesson(s). The second and/or third player must register separately. Once they are registered and the lesson is paid, the primary player will receive a partial refund for the difference.
What if the posted private lesson schedule doesn’t work for me or I don’t see a private lesson option?
You can join our Private Lesson Waitlist. While accommodation isn’t guaranteed, we’ll try to match your availability on a best-efforts basis if a spot opens. Due to demand for our group classes, additional private lesson options are limited. The best way to onboard with us is via our small group classes that many see as a great alternative to private lessons because they afford a lot of individual attention.
Can I request a specific coach?
If you’d like to work with a particular coach, please note that when completing the Private Lesson Waitlist form. These requests are filled on a best-effort basis and depend on limited availability.
Are small group classes a good alternative?
Absolutely. Our small group classes have low player-to-coach ratios (5:1 or less) and are the most affordable and accessible way to get started with us. They afford a lot of individual attention that many see as a great alternative to private lessons.
Additional Questions?
Please contact us at info@bounceboom.com.