Could an app be your answer for finding a pickleball coach fast?

“HELP, I Need a Coach, pronto!”

I borrowed this heading from Pickleball Magazine, from the dinks section.  If you join USA Pickleball, you get this magazine for free each month.  Here is the link.

You have decided to find some lessons, drill classes, instruction to either learn about pickleball or improve your game.  But where do you start? An article in Pickleball Magazine suggests you get the app:  My Pickleball Coach

The app provides one-on-one personalized coaching with top professionals. All you need to do is answer a few questions and provide a video of yourself playing. You will receive a comprehensive roadmap for success. Your coach will provide detailed analysis of your game, including four core areas: technical skills, shot selection, court position and partner chemistry.

The best part of this app is the assignment of skill assessment drills, and the partnering with several large clubs and groups.  The downside?  It does not seem to include in-person coaching.

Here are a few other websites you should be familiar with:

PPR: Professional Pickleball Registry

As a tennis coach, I belonged to the Professional Tennis Registry, which certifies coaches.  PPR is an offshoot.  I went through certification for 8 hours in 2018 with Sarah Ansboury.  Incredible instruction!  The attached website lists the coaches that are certified, and where they are located.  Check it out.

Playpickleball.com

A website for beginners and those who want to improve and meet other players.  It also provides ways to connect with instructors in your area. 

USAPickleball.org

This is the national organizing body for pickleball.  When I started playing tournaments in 2011, you had to join to participate in sanctioned tournaments.  Yes, there is a membership fee, but it does support many pickleball programs.

Among the benefits are tournament information, details on becoming a certified referee or coach, school programs and places to play. In addition, the website offers skill sheets and descriptions of what you should be able to execute to be a 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, etc.  These are awesome.

Pickleball 360

This is a video subscription service, where you pay to join, and you can watch coaching videos from pros who are part of this website. FYI, I can watch some incredible teaching videos on YouTube without paying.

IPTPA

Known as the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association, this was the first organization to certify coaches, so they deserve kudos for leading the way.

After I completed my PPR certification, I wanted to see what the other group was offering.  I completed the IPTPA training about 3 weeks after the PPR class.  It was night and day.  The training was mostly in a classroom with talking, and not enough court time.  No videos, no observation of me teaching, no requirement for me to demonstrate my skills.  It may be better now, but I did not feel that it would be good preparation for becoming a strong instructor.  I am still a member, and I do support any organization that requires instructors to be certified.  Here is their website.

Other options

·     Check city recreation department websites for pickleball instruction.  I teach for three different cities as a contract instructor, and these classes are offered at a reasonable price.  There will be waivers, insurance and easy ways to register.

·     Word of mouth:  Ask a friend.  Ask someone you play against out on the courts.  Ask someone who belongs to a club who they recommend.

·     Do an online search in your area for pickleball instruction.

·     Ask a group instructor who they recommend for private or semi-private lessons.

NOTE: Public courts that are under the supervision of a city recreation department are not open to private instruction for cash payment.  There is a liability issue.  If you want to do lessons on public courts, you must apply to be a contract instructor with that city.  You will fill out an application, do a background check, provide certifications and CPR training, and provide insurance.  You will get a percentage, usually 70-30 or 60-40:  you get the higher number, the city gets the lower number.  Yes, you will have to pay taxes.  Benefit:  the recreation department maintains the courts, reserves the courts, does the registration, provides the waiver, does your advertising and provides additional insurance.

Insight:  Taking a group drill class allows you to drill, meet other players of your skill level, and not have to pick up so many balls.  Private lessons, not so much.

Summer opportunity

The Salvation Army Davis Center in Cathedral City has offered me one court on Saturdays to run group drill instruction starting June 1. Beginners are at 9 a.m., advanced beginners/intermediates at 10 a.m.  Drill in the air conditioning. They also have open play.  I am also running an indoor round robin tournament June 29. Reach out to me via email at mgbarsaleau@gmail.com or by phone at 1-949-939-4888 for more information on either event.

Coach Mary's Tip of the Week

Elijah from the Pickleball Journey boys offers a great teaching video covering third shot drops with topspin, as well as resets from the transition zone.

THIRD SHOT DROPS

** I like that we are viewing a teaching lesson.  This is beneficial for my students.  We get to hear teaching cues, corrections, feedback, etc.

** There are two kinds of drops:  topspin and backspin.  His student is executing topspin, and sometimes she goes too early.  She needs to wait, contact the ball lower, and carry it on her paddle longer.  Load her hips, legs, use of shoulders for follow-through.

** After correction, his student is much better with her depth and execution.  He compliments her variety of footwork to get her paddle to the proper spot to execute.

** Your target should be from your opponent’s shoulders, down to the bounce in front of your opponent in the NVZ. It should not go into the net. If it is in this zone, your opponent cannot attack you from above the net.

** Elijah’s student does not get to a ball that is short.  Elijah explains that she should get there, and get it over, like a long dink, but not get off balance and hit too hard.

** Next, he has her follow a good third shot drop into the net.  She should work her way in, and stay with dinks, long dinks, additional third shot drops.  Stay soft, do not attack for this drill.

RESETS

** Elijah has his student start in the transition zone.  He attacks down and wants her to soften the reset to his NVZ area.  He is bouncing it in front of her, but hard.  She must open the paddle face, soften her grip, and reset the drive into her opponent’s Kitchen.  He reminds her to stay low.

** Next, he has her start at the Kitchen line.  She starts the drill by popping it up to Elijah, then she must retreat to the transition zone, get low, and attempt to reset his attack.  Important.  She needs to get low in her ready position.  Paddle down below her knees.

** Next, he wants her to reset, then try to move back into the NVZ.  Move back with balance, with your paddle in front of you.  Stay low.  Continue to reset and come in and stay soft.  No attacks on this drill.

** Elijah emphasizes that he does not want her to hit it into the net.  She must err on the side of over the net, rather than give her opponent a free point.  Goal:  put it between his shoulders and the ground.

This is a great instructional video . . . be sure to watch it several times!  My students will be doing this drill this week.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Could an app be your answer for finding a pickleball coach fast?