Private Lessons & Coaches in Blackhawk, CA

With half a decade of experience teaching soccer, I'm committed to fostering skill development and sportsmanship. My passion lies in nurturing players' potential in a supportive environment. I blend proven techniques with personalized strategies for optimal growth. I played college club soccer at Clemson University, college soccer at Ohlone College in Fremont, and was also a Division 1 Kicker for San Jose State. I have been coaching for 5 years now as well as many years as a personal trainer and physical therapy instructor. I coach soccer for World Cup soccer camps and AYSO. Growing up I played for Ballistic United. I currently direct the Tri-valley futures program for ballistic United Soccer Club, tailored for kids aged 1-7. I also direct the futsal factory for ballistic United which is for kids 8-18.

"Collin is amazing with my 10 year old. He knows exactly how to push him.

Hi I'm Joshua Tam! I coach focusing on decision-making, consistency and repeatable shots. I am a believer in that techniques like dinking, resetting, blocking are key to a strong pickleball foundation. These are my greatest strengths that have allowed me to do very well in high level money tournaments. Whether you're brand new to pickleball or trying to break through a current level plateau (3.0-3.5-4.0+), lessons are tailored to your specific needs! My personal tournament results include 2nd place in 4.0. 4th in 4.5, and 2nd place in 5.0 DUPR events.

"Great

Hi! During my high school and college years, I played varsity tennis and even earned an invitation to the Junior Davis Cup tryouts. I then channeled my passion for the sport into coaching, leading to a head Varsity tennis coach in high school. These days, I've immersed myself in coaching pickleball, drawing from my rich tennis background to nurture and elevate players in this exciting game. Unlike many other coaches I earned a California State Bachelors degree which included a fifth year California State Teaching Credential. This training has given me the special skills to teach and coach my students at all levels of the game. It’s my passion. I recently won the Gold Medal 🏅in the Mixed Doubles at the Tri-Valley Pickle Ball Championships.

"Nick is a great teacher and is very thorough in explaining the game as well as technique. He’s very patient and gives good solid advice that has shown in my results. I am really enjoying learning from Nick and all his experience.

I have been coaching at Youth League Tennis in both Fremont and Livermore for the past 5 years. My focus is on helping players learn the basics like topspin forehand and double backhand to get them started and enjoy the sport. My goal is to spark their interest in playing more and to encourage them to learn the next skills, such as serving and volleying, leading to eventual match play.

"Coach Darren is awesome! We saw a noticeable improvement in our 7-year-old’s tennis skills after just three classes. He is very patient, encouraging, and does a great job making the lessons fun and engaging. Highly recommend Coach Darren!

In love with tennis for 3 decades, competed in college tennis and BAITL Division II, Have been teaching group and private lessons for 5 years, have students competing in High School Tennis Team in Bay Area. Tailor sessions to meet individual need, love using cell phone video as effective tool to foster student self-awareness and analyze technical issues through frame-by-frame replay at critical checkpoints.

"Jj is a very nice and patient coach who guided me from the very beginning, elaborating on the groundstroke process which was quite helpful. Though he suggested working on my serve, I think there’s plenty of room to improve there. Still, his detailed explanations made the lessons more manageable and less overwhelming. If you're aiming for a steady, well-explained approach to tennis, Jj might be a good fit.

I'm a seasoned soccer coach with 13 years of experience igniting passion and fostering talent on the field. My training blends technical mastery with tactical awareness to elevate every player's game. Let's unlock your potential together! Committed to Santa Clara university D1. 1 year of private training 1 on 1 coaching experience. Was mentored by Hakan Sukur (former Inter Milan, Galatasaray, Turkish national team player)

"solid training

I'm passionate about sharing my love of tennis with players of all levels. As an experienced player with 12 years of coaching experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a dedication to helping you achieve your goals on the court. Let's unlock your potential together!

"Professional and knowledgeable!

Like you, I just love pickleball, and I love teaching and coaching others to improve dramatically by making simple, small adjustments. I have a Level II certification from the IPTPA and years of coaching experience here and in France, where I was the 2023 National Champion (50+). Let's play!

"I recently had a private pickleball lesson with Nic, Bekaert, and it was genuinely one of the best coaching experiences I've ever had. Nic focused our session on the kitchen game, specifically net volleys and dinking, and the improvement I felt was immediate. What sets him apart isn't just his elite-level knowledge; it's how he communicates it. He's a careful listener who takes the time to understand where you are as a player, and his explanations are clear, precise, and immediately actionable. The real test of any lesson is whether the coaching sticks when you're playing in real time, under pressure. So often, tips absorbed in a lesson evaporate the moment you step onto the court. Not with Nic. His strategies and cues are memorable and practical which is exactly the kind of instruction that translates into your game when it counts. Without question, Nic is the most effective coach I have ever worked with. If you have the opportunity to take a lesson with him, don't hesitate. -Chris B.

I embarked on my tennis journey when I became my wife's hitting partner, gradually immersing myself in the game and honing my skills. As my love for tennis grew, I ventured into competitive play, discovering a true passion for the sport. Inspired by my progress, I began sharing my knowledge with friends, helping them improve their game. This led me to catch the attention of two esteemed teachers: one from the renowned Strawberry Group in Tiburon and another from the YTA Youth Tennis in Oakland. Since then, I have cherished every moment of my involvement in tennis, teaching others and continuously expanding my own expertise, all fueled by an unwavering love for the game.

"Never met a coach like him… he stayed 40 minutes extra with me and he is as patient as he could be…

Stuck at Beginer - 3.5 level? I can upgrade you. Newbie? You can beat your equivalent after learning from me. My sessions are tailored and varies depends on who you are: -New to Pickleball: I will help you quickly emerge into the game and enjoy it, regardless your sport background or experience. Step 1: Game rules: I will explain it in the easiest and most memorable way. But lets be honest, your time is valuable and the rules can be easy self-learning process with the internet. Step 2: Basic pickle ball - Pickleball 100 focus on: Proper paddle grip Touch feeling Short distance swing Long distance swing Proper Footwork for effortless movement Step 3: Learn the basic shots ( serve, return, drive, drop, dink..) Understand purpose and technicality of the shots Practice till you make it Step 4: Roll into the game and learn from your mistake. ***Newbies usually need a certain amount of time to master most basic shots. I highly suggest you go with me for at least 5 sessons to learn in a systematic way and build a strong foundation for your further progress. *** I ll be frank and genuine to you, slow and stead is the only way to build your game. Rushing will only slow you down *** -Intermediate: struggling with core shots (drive, serve, return, drop, dink..): Step 1. Assessment: let me see how you hit it, I will tell you what can be improved. Step 2. Understand the shot: why, when, where, and how. Understanding what you do is most crucial for improvement. Step 3. Practice: I’ll break the shot down into small moves. We focus on mastering one move at a time. Then combine them into a complete shot. Step 4. Reinforcement: its trial and errors process. We keep drilling and fixing mistakes untill you got it. Step 5. Bring it to the game (depends on situation): only if you are ready, we can play real games so you learn from your own mistake. Otherwise, rushing to the games only slowering your improvement. My lessons are always customized to your needs. Whether you want to focus on mechanics, strategy, or simply getting more comfortable rallying, I’ll assess and tailor each session so you see immediate progress. My teaching philosophy is simple: Quality over Quantity. I emphasize deep understanding and focused practice, so that after every lesson, you walk away with solid foundation and confidence to keep building your game on your own.

"Logan is super professional and definitely a great instructor!