Learn Pickleball with Nico
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I’m Nico, a dedicated pickleball coach and founder of Valencia Bros Pickleball. As lifelong athlete who thrives on helping others succeed, I bring a blend of technical expertise, competitive playing experience, and a deep understanding of player development to every lesson. I believe in creating a positive, high-energy environment where players feel motivated to push their boundaries and have fun while doing it. My lessons utilize a proven methodology that focuses on four core pillars: Technical: Master the mechanics and precision of every shot. Tactical: Develop smart strategies to outthink and outplay your opponents. Physical: Build the agility, speed, and endurance needed to compete at any level. Mental: Strengthen focus, confidence, and resilience on the court. My goal is simple: to provide personalized, high-quality coaching that transforms your game. Whether you’re a beginner learning the fundamentals or a competitive player aiming for the next level, I tailor our programs to meet your needs and goals.
Levels taught: Beginners, Intermediates, Experts
Teaches: Kids, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors
🏅Sponsored Athlete
📝PPR Certified
🔥10 Lessons
⭐️DUPR Master Instructor
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Reviews
Total reviews10
Average rating
5.0
Gaston
Lessons taken: 1
I used to only know one speed with pickleball, and that was fast and hard. I’m what you would call a “banger”. But Nico helped me get confidence in my soft game and made me a more well rounded player
Katie
Lessons taken: 1
Coming from a ski background, I wasn’t sure how I would be able to transition to pickleball, but Nico tailored sessions to help me catch up to my friends. Now I’m ready to take on some tournaments!
Elizabeth
Lessons taken: 1
Nico was so patient! It takes me a while to get the hang of things but he was so willing to stick with me while I struggled and tailor the instruction to help me where I needed it the most!
Julie
Lessons taken: 1
In just one session, Nico noticed some mechanical flaws in my swing and once we fixed them, I was able to hit drops with so much more consistency
Steve
Lessons taken: 1
After a few sessions with Nico, I am thoroughly excited to get competitive in a sport again, which is really impressive for someone my age
Locations
These are the locations I've set as being able to provide lessons:1 court available
3rd Shot Pickleball
1940.9 miles awayIndoors
Availability
These are the times I've set as being available for lessons.sundays
8 AM - 8 PM
mondays
8 AM - 8 PM
tuesdays
8 AM - 8 PM
wednesdays
8 AM - 8 PM
thursdays
8 AM - 8 PM
fridays
8 AM - 8 PM
saturdays
8 AM - 8 PM
Beginner training plan
Your first lessonStart with the basics: explain the court layout, rules, and scoring system. Teach proper paddle grip, ready stance, and basic shot techniques like dinks, volleys, and groundstrokes. Focus on simple, consistent ball contact and encourage movement to the ball rather than reaching. End the lesson with a short rally or game to introduce live play and reinforce foundational skills.
Lesson 11+Refine all aspects of play, including speed-ups, punch volleys, blocks, and defending against aggressive shots. Emphasize reading opponents’ positioning, shot patterns, and adjusting strategy in real time. Introduce competitive match play with coaching feedback to improve decision-making, teamwork, and execution under pressure. By this stage, players should be able to combine technique, strategy, and mental focus to play confidently at a higher level.
Lesson 4-10Introduce more advanced shots like the 3rd shot drop, drives, and lobs, helping players understand when to use each shot strategically. Teach footwork for transitioning to the kitchen line and resetting the point under pressure. Focus on game strategy, including shot placement, communication with partners in doubles, and recognizing opponents’ weaknesses. Incorporate scenario-based drills and controlled gameplay to refine skills while building strategic awareness.
Lesson 2-3Focus on improving control and consistency with dinks, volleys, and serves. Teach players how to move efficiently to the kitchen line and maintain a balanced, athletic stance during rallies. Introduce offensive and defensive play concepts, explaining when to hit soft, controlled shots versus when to be aggressive. Use drills like kitchen line dinking, serve-and-return practice, and simple cooperative rallies to build confidence and technique.
Advanced training plan
Your first lessonBegin by assessing the students’ current skill levels through controlled drills and short game play. Focus on fine-tuning foundational mechanics like paddle grip, footwork, and shot precision to eliminate bad habits. Emphasize consistency and control in dinks, volleys, serves, and returns to establish a solid base for advanced play.
Lesson 11+Shift to competitive match play with real-time coaching and feedback, refining decision-making, shot placement, and adaptability under pressure. Work on mental toughness, teaching players how to stay focused, anticipate opponents’ moves, and adjust strategies mid-match. By this stage, students will combine advanced technical skills, strategic shot-making, and a competitive mindset to elevate their game to the highest level.
Lesson 4-10Focus on mastering offensive tools like speed-ups, punch volleys, and well-placed drives to pressure opponents. Teach defensive resets, including blocks and soft resets, to neutralize aggressive shots and regain control of the rally. Introduce doubles strategies such as poaching, stacking, and shake-and-bake plays, helping players communicate effectively and dominate in high-paced situations.
Lesson 2-3Teach advanced shot selection, focusing on when to drive, drop, lob, or reset based on opponent positioning and ball trajectory. Refine court positioning to maintain offensive pressure, stay balanced, and anticipate the opponent’s next move. Use scenario-based drills to practice transitioning effectively from baseline to the kitchen line while staying in control of the point.
Youth players
Working with kidsWhen teaching kids, I focus on fun, engaging activities to keep their attention while building basic skills. I use games like “target practice” or “balloon pickleball” to teach hand-eye coordination, paddle control, and movement in a playful way. Keeping instructions simple, positive, and full of energy helps kids enjoy the game while learning foundational techniques.
Working with teenagersFor teenagers, I emphasize both skill development and friendly competition to keep them motivated. I introduce structured drills to improve consistency, footwork, and shot accuracy, while incorporating mini-games and match play to challenge them. I also explain strategy in a relatable way, helping teens understand how to make smart decisions and compete confidently on the court.
What you need to bringYou will need athletic clothes, court shoes, a paddle and water
What I can bringI will provide balls, cones, markers, and teaching tools
Frequently asked questions
Cancellation Policy
We totally understand that life can be unpredictable and plans might change. That's
why we've got your back with our flexible cancellation policy, designed to give you
peace of mind when booking private sports lessons with our awesome local instructors!
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!
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 Nico Valencia⭑ 5 (10)