Learn Pickleball with Jonathan
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Whether you are just starting out or looking to become more competitive, I’m here to help you take your game to the next level and develop a basis from which to build a strong balanced game. I coach Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Singles, working best at the 2.0 to 4.5 levels. Lesson formats and content depend in part on your level of experience, fundamental skill strength, athletic ability, and general game sense. We will usually work on a combination of technique and stroke, footwork, strategy and tactics, solo and partner drills, and live gameplay situations. I adapt my coaching style to what you respond best to. I’m not an intense person, nor am I too relaxed. I’m here to be helpful and get you the results you’re looking for while enjoying the beautiful game of Pickleball. I’ll give you practical tips, drills, and focus points to take home and work on. I’ll help you develop a game that plays to your strengths, while helping you cover and improve other areas where you might need more practice. I have a background in Physics and approach the game from a scientific perspective with regard to the social and mental aspects that make Pickleball so fun. I’ve played competitive singles at the 4.0 level and am in a regular MLP-style league playing doubles and mixed doubles. I play a balanced game, with a slightly modern style focusing on placement, consistency, and well-placed power only when appropriate. If you’re ready to have the experiences you’ve looking for, I’m here to help you get there. Can work in the Napa area on weekends, Hidden Valley Lake/Lake County areas, or Bay Area during the week.
Levels taught: Beginners, Intermediates
Teaches: Kids, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors
🏅Tournament Winner
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Locations
These are the locations I've set as being able to provide lessons:2 courts available
Calistoga Junior-Senior High School (tennis court)
2101.6 miles awayOutdoors
Riviera Hills Golf & Rec Club (tennis court)
2102.7 miles awayOutdoors
Availability
These are the times I've set as being available for lessons.sundays
8 AM - 8 PM
mondays
6 PM - 8 PM
fridays
6 PM - 8 PM
saturdays
8 AM - 8 PM
Beginner training plan
Your first lessonVerbal assessment: talk about your experience, skills and gaps, goals, timeline, and expectations/objectives.
Overview of rules: if the player is a beginner or new player, start with an explanation and live walkthrough of the rules and gameplay sequence
Physical assessment: per USAP skill assessment guide, test the player’s ability to perform serves (depth, placement, speed, and consistency), returns (depth, placement, speed, and consistency), drops (placement, trajectory, consistency), drives (placement, speed, consistency), dinks (placement and consistency), and basic combination shots (drive-drop sequence, dink-dink sequence, speed ups, resets, etc.). Skills like mobility, footwork, and positioning will also be observed during this evaluation.
Skills assessment will be used to estimate rating/skill level and understand strengths and weaknesses. This will inform future lessons.
Lesson 11+As the training/skill building routine progresses, we track progress and gradually increase the intensity, frequency, complexity, or style of drill to ensure progress.
We may set some specific goals for gameplay results, encouraging the player to focus on high level objectives like skill-based play results (i.e. win 3 games on an intermediate rating open play session, compete in first tournament, establish a DUPR rating, join a league). This will depend on player goals and commitment
Lesson 4-10Based on feedback from skills and training drills, further refine the material to improve performance in key areas.
Define goals for the player and creating a tracking system for key milestones to progress through.
Based on progress and skill, we may work on game sense strategies, key patterns to look for, partner play style adaptations, and shot combinations to focus on like drive-drop, where to dink/drip and when, when to drive vs. drop.
We can expect 10-20 minutes of live gameplay during lessons, stopping during or after points to assess the good and poor decisions that led to certain results. Based on skills, we may increase or decrease this amount based on need and preference of the player.
Advanced players will be expected to transition to drilling 2-3x per week, focusing on at least 50% of play time for drills vs. live gameplay outside of lessons.
Lesson 2-3Overview of core drills and training exercises: based on skills assessment, we will develop 2-3 core drills/training routines to help the player develop proper mechanics and techniques
Training exercises may include footwork drills, hand-eye coordination tasks, stroke mechanics, and/or physical exercises that will improve overall mobility on the court. These can be practiced at home/off time, on or off the court.
Skill drills will include live pickleball skills such as dropping, resetting, dinking, and small games such as 7-11, skinny singles, and 3-player games.
Walkthrough of each drill and game, practicing live training sessions of each.
Prescription of training routine, practice points, and homework for non-lesson days
Advanced training plan
Your first lessonVerbal assessment: talk about your experience, skills and gaps, goals, timeline, and expectations/objectives.
Overview of rules: if the player is a beginner or new player, start with an explanation and live walkthrough of the rules and gameplay sequence
Physical assessment: per USAP skill assessment guide, test the player’s ability to perform serves (depth, placement, speed, and consistency), returns (depth, placement, speed, and consistency), drops (placement, trajectory, consistency), drives (placement, speed, consistency), dinks (placement and consistency), and basic combination shots (drive-drop sequence, dink-dink sequence, speed ups, resets, etc.). Skills like mobility, footwork, and positioning will also be observed during this evaluation.
Skills assessment will be used to estimate rating/skill level and understand strengths and weaknesses. This will inform future lessons.
Lesson 11+As the training/skill building routine progresses, we track progress and gradually increase the intensity, frequency, complexity, or style of drill to ensure progress.
We may set some specific goals for gameplay results, encouraging the player to focus on high level objectives like skill-based play results (i.e. win 3 games on an intermediate rating open play session, compete in first tournament, establish a DUPR rating, join a league). This will depend on player goals and commitment level.
Lesson 4-10Based on feedback from skills and training drills, further refine the material to improve performance in key areas.
Define goals for the player and creating a tracking system for key milestones to progress through.
Based on progress and skill, we may work on game sense strategies, key patterns to look for, partner play style adaptations, and shot combinations to focus on like drive-drop, where to dink/drip and when, when to drive vs. drop.
We can expect 10-20 minutes of live gameplay during lessons, stopping during or after points to assess the good and poor decisions that led to certain results. Based on skills, we may increase or decrease this amount based on need and preference of the player.
Lesson 2-3Overview of core drills and training exercises: based on skills assessment, we will develop 2-3 core drills/training routines to help the player develop proper mechanics and techniques
Training exercises may include footwork drills, hand-eye coordination tasks, stroke mechanics, and/or physical exercises that will improve overall mobility on the court. These can be practiced at home/off time, on or off the court.
Skill drills will include live pickleball skills such as dropping, resetting, dinking, and small games such as 7-11, skinny singles, and 3-player games.
Walkthrough of each drill and game, practicing live training sessions of each.
Prescription of training routine, practice points, and homework for non-lesson days
Youth players
Working with kidsLesson plans for youths will be similar to adult lessons, with a strong emphasis in positivity, building core skills and mechanics from which to build a base, and establishing parent-student practice during off-lesson periods.
Property court etiquette , attitude, and discipline on the court will be enforced and reinforced.
Working with teenagersLesson plans for youths will be similar to adult lessons, with a strong emphasis in positivity, building core skills and mechanics from which to build a base, and establishing parent-student practice during off-lesson periods.
Emphasis on focus, discipline, mindset, and motivation is key to success during the formative years.
Property court etiquette , attitude, and discipline on the court will be enforced and reinforced.
And encouragement to compete and build scholarship-level relationships will also be encouraged if it’s what the student wishes.
What you need to bringPaddle, proper footwear and attire.
What I can bringBalls, loaner paddles, targets, overgrips, edge tape, paddle weights.
Frequently asked questions
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And if you simply want to reschedule your lesson, change the date and time, or adjust the number of students joining, we've got you covered there too. You can easily make these changes within 24 hours of booking, and up to 72 hours before your lesson starts.
Our goal is to make your experience smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that we're here to accommodate your needs every step of the way!
If you need to cancel your lesson, no worries! You can get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of making your booking. We want to make the process as hassle-free as possible for you.
And if you simply want to reschedule your lesson, change the date and time, or adjust the number of students joining, we've got you covered there too. You can easily make these changes within 24 hours of booking, and up to 72 hours before your lesson starts.
Our goal is to make your experience smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that we're here to accommodate your needs every step of the way!
Pickleball with Jonathan RussoNew to TeachMe.To