Who Is Paul Terracina?
Paul Terracina is a 34-year-old multi-sport athlete, youth-basketball coach, and new dad who has become a familiar sight at Austin’s YMCA courts. The easygoing energy that draws friends to open play also puts first-time students instantly at ease. What began as a fun way to stay active has grown into a role that sees Paul shepherding everyone from retirees trying a paddle for the first time to ex-college tennis players hungry for sharper angles.
How Did He Start Teaching?
Paul’s coaching career launched with a single Google search. Curious about how much a private lesson might cost, he typed “pickleball lessons Austin.” Instead of prices, he saw TeachMe.To’s prompt: “Do you want to teach?” The prospect of “playing pickleball and getting paid at the same time” felt like a no-brainer, and he signed up within days.
A Perfect Fit for a Busy Dad
TeachMe.To’s built-in booking, payment, and marketing tools let Paul focus on teaching while fitting lessons around parenting duties.
From Six-Day Player to Six-Day Coach
Before fatherhood, Paul played six or seven days a week purely for fun; coaching keeps him on-court just as often, but now each hour helps someone else fall in love with the game.
A Calling Fulfilled—with Help from TeachMe.To
Paul has always followed a teacher’s compass. Long before pickleball became his side gig, he volunteered to coach a kids’ basketball squad, drawn to the spark that lights up when a brand-new skill suddenly “clicks.” Still, the idea of running a private coaching business felt overwhelming: marketing, scheduling, payment apps, rain-day reschedules, each sounded like an extra full-time job. TeachMe.To stripped those hurdles away in one shot.
With the platform handling, bookings, reminders, and credit-card swipes, Paul now spends his energy where his heart already was: explaining footwork, celebrating first rallies, and high-fiving retirees who never thought they’d play a racquet sport. “It’s a way of giving back,” he says, “but you’re also benefiting financially.” The paycheck is nice, but the real payoff is purpose: he’s on court six days a week, doing what he loves, surrounded by students whose breakthroughs remind him why he started coaching in the first place. Former learners spot him at Austin parks and jog over for mini-refreshers, proof that TeachMe.To hasn’t just filled his calendar; it’s helped him build a community of confident, ever-improving players.
Coaching Philosophy: One Message, Two Audiences
Paul’s student base has evolved into an even split between seniors and younger athletes, and his philosophy adapts seamlessly to both.
Serving the Social Starters
Retirees and brand-new players often arrive saying, “My friends play—I just want to hold my own.” The low barrier to entry and pickleball’s social vibe make that goal realistic after only a few lessons. Paul’s mantra: “Let your opponent make the mistake; just get the ball back over the net,” keeps nerves low and success rates high.
Challenging the Competitive Climbers
Younger athletes want an edge in office ladders or city leagues. Those sessions, Paul admits, “are the ones I come home from sweating.” Matching their intensity sharpens his own skills and forces him to break advanced strategy into simple, repeatable steps.
Inside a First Lesson with Coach Paul
A newcomer’s first hour unfolds in clear stages, each designed to build early wins and long-term confidence.
Welcome & Goal-Check (0-5 min) – Brief chat about mobility, previous racket-sport experience, and day-of objectives.
Dynamic Warm-Up (5-10 min) – Shoulder rolls, lunges, and gentle paddle taps to prep joints.
“Ten-in-a-Row” Drill (10-30 min) – Rally ten shots without an error; beginners simply clear the net, while advanced players aim at corner targets.
Skill Focus (30-50 min) – One technical theme (e.g., kitchen-line footwork or third-shot drop) to prevent overload.
Live Points & Recap (50-60 min) – Mini-match, real-time cues, a homework drill, and a high-five send-off.
Keeping It Simple, Always
Paul repeats his core mantra: “Don’t overthink it; get the ball back,” whenever a student tightens up, reinforcing that sound positioning beats flashy spin at early stages.
Encouraging Reps Beyond the Lesson
He urges every student, especially beginners, to seek open play quickly: “It’s hard enough to convince yourself to jump in with experienced players, so I don’t want them scared.” More reps mean faster improvement.
Beyond the Baseline: Growth, Media, and Community
Coaching, Paul says, has refined him “more as a person than as a player.” Hour after hour of guiding nervous retirees and sweat-hungry twenty-somethings forces him to practice patience, empathy, and crystal-clear communication on every feed and dink. The shift from playing purely for himself to investing those same hours in others has taught him to value service over self-improvement. He’s even toyed with the idea of a full-time career in teaching or coaching because, as he puts it, “I love teaching.”
Conclusion
Whether you’re a retiree looking for a healthy hobby or a young competitor aiming to dominate league night, Coach Paul Terracina offers clear guidance, upbeat energy, and that all-important first high five. Ready to trade scrolling for dinking?
Book a lesson with Paul on TeachMe.To or you can become a coach.
You can also check out other coach features like George Clayton and Breanna Meertins.
