Learn Pickleball with Zachary
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My journey with racquet sports began at the age of 9 with tennis, a passion that led me to compete globally in both ITF and USTA tournaments. I started coaching tennis at 16 to stay connected to the sport I loved while supporting my college education. Recently, I’ve embraced pickleball, competing at a 4.0-4.5 level and finding joy in its social and accessible nature. My recent role as an educator and coach in SBISD has further enriched my teaching approach. What excites me about pickleball is its blend of simplicity and strategic depth, capturing the essence of the racquet sports I’ve always cherished.
Levels taught: Beginners, Intermediates
Teaches: Kids, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors
🏅Global Competitor
🎓10 years coaching
🔥19 Lessons
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Reviews
Total reviews17
Average rating
5.0
Emma T
Lessons taken: 1
Zac was an incredible coach, his knowledge of the sport along with his love for it, his enthusiasm, has been such a gift to work with as a player. He is a great player himself, and loves nothing more than sharing his knowledge and skill with others. I’m so grateful for everything he’s taught me!
Neha G
Lessons taken: 1
Zac is an incredible pickleball player and with a background in teaching, I can’t think of a better instructor to learn from! Within a few games playing with Zac, I already saw myself feeling more confident and, in turn being a better player, due to his patience and excitement!
Carina T
Lessons taken: 1
Zac was incredibly patient and took the time to explain strategies and techniques without rushing through. He focused on improving my footwork and gave insightful feedback, making every lesson valuable!
Rebecca T
Lessons taken: 1
Zac was able to teach me how to play pickleball when I had 0 experience in the sport. He made me feel really able and confident when practicing and showed me the correct way to play the sport.
Kay M
Lessons taken: 1
Always started on time and even stayed late when he had time. Very knowledgeable of the sport as well as making sure to coach the health and fitness aspects that are not normally addressed.
Locations
These are the locations I've set as being able to provide lessons:5 courts available
Woodlands Indoor (Partnership)
979.3 miles awayIndoors
Carriage Lane Tennis Courts
989.1 miles awayOutdoors
Drop Shots HTX Pickleball
990.1 miles awayIndoorsOutdoors
Graceway Pickleball
991.8 miles awayOutdoors
Rolling Fork Club
991.8 miles awayOutdoors
Want a lesson at your home or a different location? We can help.
Availability
These are the times I've set as being available for lessons.sundays
9 AM - 5 PM
fridays
9 AM - 5 PM
saturdays
9 AM - 5 PM
Beginner training plan
Your first lessonWelcome to your first pickleball lesson! We'll start with the basics—covering the rules, court layout, and essential techniques like grip, stance, and paddle control. I’ll guide you through forehand and backhand strokes, serving, and footwork. Throughout the session, I’ll provide personalized tips to help you improve and enjoy the game.
Lesson 11+From lesson 11 onward, our focus will be on tailoring your training to fit your individual progress and goals. We’ll work closely to identify areas of strength and those needing improvement, allowing for personalized drills and exercises designed specifically for you. Whether you’re aiming to enhance specific techniques, refine your strategy, or prepare for competitive play, each session will be customized to address your needs and pace of learning. As your coach, I’m committed to helping you reach your full potential by providing targeted feedback and adjustments that align with your unique playing style and objectives. Our ongoing lessons will ensure that your growth in pickleball is continuous, enjoyable, and suited to your aspirations.
Lesson 4-10In lessons 4 to 10, we’ll continue building on your foundational skills at a steady pace. We’ll focus on improving consistency and accuracy with your shots, including dinks, volleys, and lobs. You’ll learn more about footwork and positioning, especially in doubles play, to enhance your control and awareness on the court. As we progress, we’ll introduce more advanced techniques like the third-shot drop and begin to touch on basic game strategies. Each lesson will include targeted drills and practice games, allowing you to apply these skills in a more structured way. By the end of lesson 10, you’ll have a solid understanding of key pickleball techniques and a growing confidence in your ability to play strategically and effectively.
Lesson 2-3In lessons 2 and 3, we’ll build on the fundamentals you learned in the first session. We’ll focus on refining your strokes, improving consistency, and developing better footwork and positioning. You'll practice advanced techniques such as dinking, volleys, and lobs, and learn basic strategies for doubles play. I’ll provide targeted feedback to enhance your skills and confidence on the court. By the end of these lessons, you’ll feel more comfortable with your game and be ready for playing full length games.
Advanced training plan
Your first lessonIn our first lesson together, my primary focus will be to assess your current skill level. I’ll observe your play and work through targeted drills to gauge your strengths and areas for improvement. We’ll examine your shot consistency, footwork, and decision-making during fast-paced play. I’ll provide feedback on your technique, including aspects like grip, stroke mechanics, and positioning. This session is designed to give you actionable insights and a tailored plan to refine your skills and elevate your game. I’m excited to support your growth and help you advance in pickleball!
Lesson 11+In the later lessons, we’ll concentrate on optimizing your overall game strategy. We’ll analyze your performance, adjust tactics based on different opponents, and incorporate feedback to fine-tune your approach. Additionally, we'll cover mental toughness techniques to help you maintain focus and perform effectively under pressure. By the end of these lessons, you’ll have a well-rounded skill set and strategy to excel in competitive play.
Lesson 4-10In Lessons 4 through 10, we will focus on further developing your advanced skills and applying them in match situations. We’ll start by refining your technical abilities with detailed drills on advanced shot placement, strategic serves, and defensive techniques. As we progress, we'll integrate these skills into simulated game scenarios to improve your tactical decision-making and adaptability against various types of opponents.
Lesson 2-3In Lessons 2 and 3, we’ll target the strengths and weaknesses identified in our first session. We’ll improve your strongest skills with precise drills and advanced techniques, such as refining your topspin serves or mastering deep corner shots. At the same time, we’ll address specific areas for improvement, like enhancing shot accuracy and footwork. We’ll then apply these enhanced skills in game-like scenarios, focusing on strategic positioning, shot selection, and movement. This approach aims to solidify your progress and better prepare you for competitive play.
What you need to bring
What to Bring:
Your own pickleball paddle (ideally)
Comfortable athletic wear and appropriate footwear
Water bottle for hydration
Towel or sweatband (optional, but recommended)
Please ensure you bring these items to fully participate and stay comfortable during your lessons.
What I can bringMaterials Provided by the Coach:
Balls
Ball baskets
Extra paddles
Cones
Ball pickup tool
These items will be available during your lessons to ensure you have everything needed for effective practice and drills.
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 Zachary Tilley⭑ 5 (17)