Private Pickleball Lessons & Coaches in Throgs Neck, NY

On the court, strategy trumps all. As a tournament winner with 8 years of experience coaching pickleball, I help players elevate their strategic game to achieve peak performance. Let's unlock your potential and make pickleball your winning game! I have 32 yrs of teaching experience along with coaching many team sports as well as swimming, tennis and triathlon. I have also won many tennis tournaments and recently won at NY Senior Games in Pickleball. I look forward to working with you.

I am a pickleball player, former health and fitness coach, and currently working in a private practice as an associate clinical mental health therapist. Pickleball is a sport I value for its creativity, physical challenge, and its ability to both quiet and challenge the mind. In my coaching, I go beyond advanced pickleball technique by integrating the mental side of the game. I represented the Czech Republic at the 2025 Pickleball World Cup Championship in Fort Lauderdale and designed a pickleball-based therapy program for teens with anxiety and depression—helping players build confidence, focus, and resilience both on and off the court.

"Wonderful and welcoming coach! We had such a great time learning the fundamentals as complete beginners to the sport.

In less than a year, Amanda went from a novice pickleball player to a pickleball pro – and you can too! Amanda has 1,100+ hours of coaching experience and has taught over 1,000 people how to play pickleball. She is PCI, RPO, RPPk/DUPR L2 and SafeSport certified and coaches at several pickleball venues in NYC (indoor and outdoor). Amanda’s sweet spot for teaching is beginners and advanced beginners who want to move up to intermediate and advanced play, including tennis players new to pickleball. With Amanda's guidance, you can expect not only valuable insights and quick tips to enhance your performance and win more points, but also to have a lot of fun in the process. If needed, sessions can also incorporate a focus on reviewing and mastering the fundamentals since a strong foundation is essential for long-term improvement in pickleball. To top it off, Amanda is also a great listener, so pickleball lessons will always be tailored to your goals and needs. Note: The court fee for Gotham Tues/Thur is $80/hr. Reach out with any questions! About Amanda: Outside of pickleball, Amanda is a former finance executive, with an MBA from Kellogg (Northwestern), a BA in Art History from Barnard (Columbia), and her CFA. She’s also an aspiring song writer and author.

"I’ve had a few lessons with Amanda now and have felt myself get better after each one. Very focused and productive. She has a super sharp eye for what needs tweaking and gives super helpful in the moment feedback that clicks. She makes the game very approachable for beginners.

Passionate Pickleball player and coach. PPR certified and experienced in pickleball and soccer coaching instruction at league level. Specializing in coaching players of all ages and levels. Motivated by the gratitude of students and parents. Let's refine your game together!

"Will was very patient and a great instructor.

With five years of pickleball instruction, I foster a supportive yet challenging environment for all skill levels. I’m dedicated to helping you unlock your potential and elevate your game with tailored strategies and techniques. Let's refine your skills and have fun!

"He was very professional in teaching and kept the entire 1h lesson with a lot of fun so that I never felt tired or bored. The beginner lessons from him were definitely worth it.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE PICKLEBALL COACH I know what it takes to compete — and I coach from that experience, not just from a certification manual. I CAN DIAGNOSE FAST Most coaches give generic feedback. I identify what's actually wrong — quickly — and we make real progress in a single session. No wasted time, no vague cues. I UNDERSTAND men…er…WOMEN…er, people! That’s it, people. The dynamics, the mental pressures, the physical realities of being a (man, a woman, or a muppet) on court. 
I bring empathy and edge in equal measure. No mansplaining. Ever. EQ, off the charts, (HOW)ever! I COACH THE WHOLE PLAYER Technical, tactical, mental. I know when to push and when to have patience. I'll enhance your strengths, work on your weaknesses, and tailor everything to who you are as a player. EVERY PLAYER HAS A GOAL WORTH CHASING. My students range from 3.0 players discovering the sport to 4.5+ competitors chasing a rating or a tournament result. Mostly women — but not exclusively. What everyone shares is a goal, even if they haven't fully defined it yet. Sometimes the goal is simple: beat Suzy at league night. Sometimes it's bigger: find your inner athlete, feel confident on court, connect to something that's genuinely yours. Often the goal evolves — students come in wanting one thing and discover something they didn't know they were looking for. I'll meet you where you are and hold the highest vision for where you can go — while understanding that progress isn't always linear and some days are just harder than others.

"If you’re looking for a coach who is both easy to get along with and highly skilled, Chris is the one. He brings a contagious energy to the court, and it’s clear he clearly loves the game. I really appreciate how he adapts his teaching style, to my needs, using fun drills that keep me motivated while noticeably improving my game. It is a huge plus that he’s such a strong player himself; his demonstrations are always spot on!

I am a dedicated Coach with a passion for developing players of all skill levels. I will focus on fundamentals such as serving, shot selection, footwork, and court positioning, while emphasizing strategy, sportsmanship, and game awareness. I am committed to creating a positive, engaging environment that helps athletes improve and enjoy the game.

Pickleball is meant to be a fun game! We'll have some fun, get better at the skills you want to, and I'll be able to provide additional instruction based on what I see in your game. I combine technical precision with patient, encouraging instruction. With 2 years of teaching experience, I deliver tailored lessons in footwork, shot selection and court awareness to help players progress confidently and enjoy the game. Let's have some fun!

Helping beginners improve their skills and advance to intermediate levels. Build a winning strategy with high conviction shots.

Don DiLorenzo – Certified Pickleball Instructor I’m a PPR-certified pickleball instructor with over 4 years of coaching experience, working with players of all ages and skill levels—from brand-new beginners to advanced competitors. My goal is to make learning fun, approachable, and tailored to each player’s unique style and goals. Whether you’re looking to build a strong foundation, fine-tune your technique, or develop winning strategies, I offer clear, supportive instruction that helps you grow your game with confidence. I specialize in fundamentals, court positioning, shot selection, and game IQ—while keeping sessions dynamic, safe and engaging. Let’s get you playing smarter, faster, and with more enjoyment every time you step on the court!

"Don is an excellent choice for seniors looking to learn or improve at pickleball. He understands the limitations of people that are slightly older like myself. He focuses on fundamentals, puts safety 1st and explains how to play smarter not harder while creating a relaxed, welcoming environment. Players feel supported and comfortable at every level. Keeps the fun in the game.