Private Pickleball Lessons & Coaches in Channel Lake, IL

My journey in racket sports began at 9, swiftly ascending the ranks as a junior to qualify for the prestigious New York State High School Championship. Transitioning to collegiate singles and later leagues in Chicago, I found my passion reignited when I stumbled upon Pickleball, relishing its social camaraderie and forging new friendships. Now, as an avid player and coach, I delight in sharing my expertise, ensuring every lesson is not just about improvement but about relishing the court's thrill. Let's ace your goals together, one match at a time! For fellow Tennis players, I played tennis for 40 years, and was a tournament player and teaching pro for tennis during college.    A lot of tennis players move over to pickle and that makes sense, but there are some key differences in the games, both with the way you swing and in strategy, things you should know and can learn pretty quickly on court.    I'm here to help.   

"Kirk is systematic, knowledgeable, patient, and analytical.

Greetings! I'm a physician passionate about racquet sports, particularly pickleball. As a PPR Certified Coach teaching at multiple park districts and private pickleball clubs, I bring an observant eye, great technical skill, a patient manner and years of experience to help my students improve their pickleball skills. My lessons prioritize solid fundamentals, consistent and safe play, and, above all, having a blast on the court. No wonder I have more than 100 5* reviews! Whether you're 8 or 80, let's embark on this exciting pickleball journey together!

"Great guy

After a lifetime in tennis (and ping pong, badminton, squash) I was finally bitten by the pickleball bug and my passion for the sport has only grown. My beginner students can expect a fun learning environment in a casual setting. For those looking to up their game, power strokes, volley smashes and vicious spins are a session away. Intermediate player looking to refine their game? Let’s get drilling. I’ll happily rally and match play with you after. Regardless of your goals, let’s get out there and pickle!

"Eric paced the lesson calmly, laying a solid foundation and making basics easy to grasp, with a clear focus on slow, steady progress and a hint of momentum. Lesson highlighted kept me moving forward.

I have been a certified Tennis Professional for the past 30 years. I have been playing Pickleball for more than 10 years. I became certified to teach pickleball for 2 plus years now. I have been enjoying it and helping people learn the game. I have been teaching all age groups from middle school to senior citizens. I’ve enjoyed watching my tennis students achieve many goals and now we’re doing it for Pickleball players.

"I love my pickleball coach, Todd Anderson.

Manager and Instructor at ACE pickleball. I am the club premiere instructor and highly requested. I bring a coaching background with encouragement and the ability to push players to their full potential. Multiple tournaments and gold medals won.I am a multi sport athlete/coach and personal trainer who knows the ins and outs of The games physically and strategically that players need.

My deep background in tennis and racket sports gives me a technical edge most pickleball coaches simply don’t have. I understand spin, footwork, and court geometry at a level that translates directly. Add I entrepreneurial drive and hands-on coaching ambition, and I bring both the skill set and the passion to genuinely develop players.

"I’ve been competing at the 4.5 level for two years and hit a wall. My coach completely rebuilt my reset mechanics, tightened my erne execution, and gave me a clear game plan for tournament play. Within two months I won my first gold medal at a regional event. This coaching is the real deal.

Former Junior/HS/D3 College Tennis Player Current Competitive Paddle Tennis Player and Instructor - Winnetka Series 4 Player/Prairie Club (Glenview Park District) Instructor Current Competitive Pickleball Player and Instructor - Morton Grove Park District, HP PD, GV PD, NS YMCA, D214 Extension Coaching beginners to tournament players

Igniting passion and skill on the court is my specialty. As a solid tennis and pickleball player, I taught highly regarded skills clinics in the local community. Most of my players experience rapid progress on the court and leave the clinic with much more confidence and enthusiasm for the game. I offer tailored instruction to elevate your game, making learning fun and effective. Let's achieve your goals together! I’m passionate about the sport and would like to help as many people learn and improve as possible. If you need a lesson outside of Wilmette in the north shore area, please send me a request. I’ll see what I can do. All my sessions will be tailored specifically to individual players. Here’s an overview of what we will do based on your levels: For Beginners: Building the Foundation The goal is to get you up and running so you can truly enjoy your new sport. I will focus on laying a solid technical foundation and teaching you the key strategies needed to start playing matches. By understanding the "how" and the "why" early on, you will see consistent, rewarding progress over time. For Intermediate Players: Breaking the Bottleneck I will identify exactly what is holding you back—the specific moments where you feel uncomfortable or lose points repeatedly. We’ll use purposeful, engaging drills to turn those weaknesses into strengths. Often, refining just one specific shot can transform your entire game. From there, we will progress into advanced shot selection and point construction. For Advanced Players: Mastering the Margins At this level, it’s about fine-tuning your unique style. I will analyze your game to sharpen your anticipation, balance, and footwork. Our sessions focus on high-level decision-making, precise targeting, and superior ball control. Finally, we’ll integrate the "secret sauce" of the competitive game: mental toughness and peak physical fitness.

"I’m an advanced tennis player. Playing pickleball is easy but also humbling as I level up when patience and strategy become critical. Wen helped me understand the key difference between the two sports and develop skills and intuition to play competitively in pickleball.