Private Lessons & Coaches in Lakewood, WA

My name is Rusty, I am a PCI certified PB coach from Tacoma, WA. My introduction to and journey with pickleball is one of a kind and my story alone. If I could sum it up in a few short sentences I would. Due to the uniqueness and length, it will take a bit more. My dad was a Tacoma firefighter and competitive handball player. They had courts at the station, and I started playing with dad and his buddies. Handball is a tough game for a 14-year-old. One day after playing handball, I had to go to baseball practice, my hands were so sore I couldn’t catch the ball, hold a bat or throw the ball without wincing and looking like a baby. I came home and told my dad how terrible practice that day was, he quickly remedied that by sawing off the handle of an old wooden tennis racquet. This worked for about a month, and we decided that a real racquet was in order. My dad knew of a guy up on the Hilltop that was the top racquetball player in the Pacific NW. We went to his little shop, and I met the owner, Sid Williams. (Future Hall of Famer, Original Founder of the USAPA and Original Pioneer of Pickleball), He outfitted me with a new aluminum Leach (I still have it). Little did I know that he would become one of my closest friends a mentor and confidant. Sid became my coach as I started to show promise in local tournaments beating all the ‘old guys’. Fast forward 4 years, one month after my high school graduation, 1978. Sid called and said grab your gear, we are playing this afternoon at the new Family Fitness Center. As I was getting warmed up and my gear ready, he laughed and said “you won’t need all that, we are playing pickleball”. I had never seen nor heard of ‘pickleball’, I thought to myself, what a silly name. But Sid being who he was to me, I rather reluctantly agreed. The courts were all indoor/outdoor carpet, we had a whiffle ball and wooden paddles. I had an absolute blast that day. We played as much as we could that summer, all indoors, all at the Family Fitness Center. There were no such thing as outdoor courts yet. I went to work for the Club and after the summer was over, I left for college to play baseball. After three years of college baseball, I returned home to Tacoma and right back to the club to play racquetball. In my absence pickleball had picked up steam, it was growing, and the courts were usually full. At the same time my sales career was taking off as well. I played both sports whenever I could. Sid was running racquetball tournaments and I was his right-hand man. We would play in the mornings and afterwards we would head out to secure sponsorships donations and door prizes. I didn’t know it at the time, but Sid was giving me a “Master Class” of running tournaments. Somewhere around 1984-85, he took his format and applied it to pickleball. This is where competitive pickleball begins. I was there in the beginning of the new era. Singles was the game at the time and there was one guy I could never beat. Heck no one could beat. Future Hall of Famer Billy Jacobson was that guy. He was the best. Can’t think of a time or tournament that he didn’t dominate. So, I became a doubles specialist. Winning the 1st Annual Washington Open Games for mixed doubles. Billy didn’t play that division. This was the biggest pickleball tourney ever, anywhere. It was sponsored by Nalley and sanctioned by the newly formed USAPA. I loved spending time with Sid on and off the courts. He was truly one of a kind. I loved him dearly and miss him greatly. I played as much as I could, but as a young man at 26 years old I was building a career and was coaching football basketball and baseball at the Boys and Girls Club, there wasn’t a lot of free time. Yet, I was always there with Sid running the tournaments. The Open Games was the last time I played competitively. I took a break to be a college baseball coach, get married and start a family, helping Sid whenever I could. Well now it is September 2022, I am 62 years old. I haven’t played pickleball in 30 years. But this is post pandemic, I was burned out in Corporate America, a suit and tie every day. I wanted to do something that I loved, I wanted to have fun again, I just wanted to be me. The coach and athlete. Sitting around one night with some friends, they asked what I was going to do now. I said, “I am going to make a living playing and coaching pickleball”. As you can imagine we all had a good laugh. I started playing again, I started the process to form a charitable organization named, “The Sid Williams Foundation” and ‘Sids’ Kids’, “bringing pickle to the public” With all that is happening now in pickleball a new company was in order, I named my new company Pickleball OG *coaching*consulting*construction. Today, I play 5-6 days a week, I teach lessons in all shapes and sizes. I consult with paddle companies and with the construction of new facilities both private and public. If I can help in you in any way pickle related, reach out.

"Lessons with Rusty have been hugely helpful and fun. He tailors the lesson to fit what I need and my game has improved.

Hello my name is Steve, I am a former Pro Player, and Major League Scout. I have trained Youth, and Adult, Baseball and Softball players for over 18 years. More than just hitting and catching, baseball is a journey of strategy, teamwork, and personal growth, one that I've been honored to guide students on for 26 years. My passion is to equip aspiring athletes with the skills and mindset to excel both on and off the field. Thank You. Steve Goucher

"Yep folks..' Bill Nye. 'The Science Guy ' here. I took baseball lessons with Steve, before I played in the Arizona fantasy baseball camps. He is a great instructor,at all levels. We also invented a few baseball gadgets together. A baseball, ball Retriever that fits onto the end of your Bat' of course. Carry on Folks. B.N.

Xavier McDaniel Jr., son of the Seattle SuperSonics legend, has transitioned from his basketball career to focus on skill and strength training. A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Xavier first gained recognition as a high school champion at Hammond School, playing alongside the renowned Seventh Woods. He continued to excel in college basketball, spending two years at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley under the esteemed coach Lew Hill, where he developed his skills for a professional career. Unfortunately, Xavier’s journey in professional basketball was impacted by a series of injuries, limiting him to two and a half full seasons across international leagues and the American TBL. Now, shifting his focus, he is completing his bachelor’s degree in psychology at Eastern Washington University, through Bellevue College. His mission is to combine his passion for sports and psychology to help individuals heal from trauma, focusing on the connection between mind, body, and spirit. As a coach, Xavier uses basketball as a tool not just for athletic development, but to guide others toward personal growth, whether that leads to a career in professional sports or simply a more balanced life off the court.

"Coach Xavier is wonderful with the kids. He’s patient, encouraging, and knows how to explain things in a way they understand. The kids feel comfortable and motivated around him, and we’ve seen their confidence grow. We really appreciate his positive energy and dedication.

With over 17 years of experience with singles and doubles tournament play, clinics and private coaching, I love helping players of all levels grow their game. Whether you're a total beginner or an experience player looking to sharpen your skills, unlocking potential on the court is my passion. I refine technique and strategy for pickleball players of all levels.

"Coach Aj is great, he taught me a lot of techniques and provided a lot of opportunities for me to actually play. Will come back to take lessons with him again.

I am a former competitive player with extensive experience coaching a wide range of beginners to advanced players of all ages. • Beginners that have never played and want to learn the rules and proper form • Intermediate players needing to improve your strokes and serve • Become more competitive in match play • Preparing for a tournament or high school season I'm here to help. Even if you just want to get outside and be active—let’s have some fun!

"Great teacher