Top 10 coaches for Pickleball lessons near Cumberland, RI

Bio: Peter embarked on a pickleball journey in July 2023 following a period of personal challenges. Introduced to the sport by a friend, pickleball quickly became a cornerstone of Peter's life, facilitating a remarkable 37-pound weight loss and reigniting a sense of passion and purpose. With a strong foundation in tennis, soccer, and ping pong, Peter seamlessly transitioned to pickleball, now leveraging this experience to help newcomers jumpstart their own love affair with the sport, promoting health, happiness, and community along the way.

Bio: If you are thinking about learning to play the fastest growing sport in the nation, but are hesitant to begin, read this short bio of our most popular Rhode Island instructor, Coach Phyl. Her experience and coaching style can help to ease your concerns. Hello and welcome! I’m Coach Phyl, and I am so glad you’re here. Let me tell you a little about why I love to work with beginning pickleball players. Pickleball is life, and I mean that literally. I took up the sport just as the Covid pandemic was shifting into high gear. It was the one thing I could do, despite my advanced age, while lockdown was beginning to happen all around me. It got me off the couch and moving, which I believe saved me from losing my mind, my passion for life, and my muscles, such as they are. It was kismet. I quickly recognized how similar the movements and strategies were to a game called Ace King Queen that I had played as a child. I loved and missed that game. Pickleball felt almost like finding it again. I fell in love with it immediately, not only for the game itself, but also for the social void it filled. Pickleball has brought many wonderful people into my life while providing me with a fun way to stay active during my “golden” years. I am filled with gratitude for all that it gives me, and I want to share these benefits with as many people as I can. We will have fun while you learn and practice new drills and skills. Pickleball is a multi-tiered sport that can be played by just about anyone. There is no better way to learn the basics than through in-person coaching. My teaching style is relaxed and non-confrontational. You will learn the rules of the game, proper warm-up techniques, paddle basics, a variety of strokes, serving options, targeting, timing, and the importance of drilling, with a few advanced strategies thrown in for good measure. As I like to say, just do it! There's no time like the present, so join me. See you on the court! Speaking of courts… While I am willing to travel to other courts, I encourage you to choose the courts at the John H. Chafee Sports Complex at 450 Hope Road in Western Cranston. These courts are well maintained and easy to get to. I love playing there, and I think you will, too. That said, if the weather calls for rain or otherwise is not in a cooperative mood (think wind, intense heat, snow, etc.), then a good choice would be the private indoor court at Open Table.

Bio: My pickleball journey started in 2010 at a Maine camping resort, Point Sebago. As a seasonal camper for 10 years, I played and became a pickleball ambassador, teaching fellow campers the basics. My passion for PB grew, earning my instructor certification in 2020. Now, I am able to share my love for the game teaching for local town Rec Depts, private lessons, corporate and groups. I play 3-4 x week ok with friends and in tournaments. Join me on the court, where the joy of pickleball becomes a shared experience of learning and laughter.

Bio: I’ve been playing for over 3 years and since then, I’ve learned a few things that will make you grow much faster in this amazing and addicting sport. How to properly move, how to hit dinks, how to drive and when to drive, if you really want, I can even teach you how to dive for balls (though, I don’t recommend it.). I can teach you how to play for recreational play or how to change your mindset to play for competitive tournaments.

Bio: I'm a sports enthusiast who discovered a passion for pickleball in late 2022 after years of playing recreational tennis. Since then, I've fallen in love with the game and play almost every day. As a PPR Certified instructor and Six Zero Ambassador, I regularly drill and continually seek to improve my skills. As a 4.0 player, I'm dedicated to teaching others, helping them enhance their game, and spreading the joy of pickleball.

Bio: James Crosson has had the prestigious honor of being selected out of 300 participants to become one of the 60 certified coaches by DUPR’s exclusive coaching program. James is registered as National Professional Pickleball DUPR coach, a National Pickleball Professional with the International Registry of Pickleball Professionals, A National Professional with the International Coaches Institute, A professional with the RPPk Registery of Pickleball Professionals, and has worked with the Tyson McGruff coaching program to deliver excellence in all categories of coaching Pickleball. For over 8+ years James has become an avid Pickleball player, and his love for the game is only exceeded by his passion for teaching others how to improve in all aspects of their Pickleball game! From teaching beginners to excel quickly into the Pickleball world, to teaching advanced techniques and strategies to already established players to improve on their game, there is nothing James won’t be able to show you! James is extremely personable to make you feel comfortable in your learning process, and his methodology is that learning Pickleball should be a fun experience instead of feeling like a chore. James is an all-around athlete and has a strong tennis background from 6 years at the Newport Tennis Hall of fame. He fell in love with Pickleball, and was the founder of the very successful Fall River Pickleball Group. James is very competitive and is constantly playing in Pickleball tournaments against some of the best players in the Rhode Island and Massachusetts area. To ignite your passion in beginning your Pickleball journey, or to overcome the obstacles holding you back from being the best Pickleball player.

Bio: Coming from a background in ping pong, Charley quickly became fond of pickleball during the tail end of COVID, gathering people from his church to play. Years later, as a World Pickleball Tour National Champion (January 2025) with a 4.5+ DUPR rating, Charley has reached the pinnacle of amateur competitive pickleball. With a Massachusetts teaching license and two years of coaching experience, he is passionate about helping players of all skill levels and age groups refine their techniques and develop a deeper love for the game. Additionally, he leads a weekly group and provides extra repetition with a ball-serving machine to maximize practice and improvement. Let’s take your pickleball game to the next level—let me know when you’re ready to get started!

Bio: Ignite your passion for pickleball! With 25 years of coaching experience, honed by competing as a college athlete, I offer personalized guidance to elevate your game. My expertise ensures you'll achieve your goals while enjoying every moment on the court.