Best 9 coaches for Pickleball lessons near Laguna Beach, CA

Hi, I'm Katherine! A lifelong tennis athlete, I've seamlessly transitioned into the world of pickleball as a 4.0 rated player. With my experience, I'm here not just to teach but to help you develop a genuine passion for the game. Let's dive into pickleball together, and I promise, you'll fall in love with it!

"Kat is an outstanding coach! Her use of motion analogies were a game changer, she broke things down in a way that was easy to understand and apply right away. She’s extremely patient, positive and encouraging which made the whole lesson enjoyable and productive. I saw immediate improvement and left feeling more confident in my game. Highly recommend!

I'm an experienced pickleball coach passionate about sharing the joy and strategy of this exciting sport. Having played for three years, I bring a deep understanding of the game to every lesson. Let's work together to elevate your pickleball skills in a fun and engaging environment!

"What a solid lesson, and it was fun too. Lesson highlights, learned a ton and enjoyed every drill, plus I’m already looking forward to applying what I picked up. A bit more variety would help.

Eric is a former USTA 4.0+ tennis player who has transitioned into a passionate pickleball coach. With his strong tennis background, he brings a wealth of experience and a keen understanding of sports strategy to his pickleball teaching. Now fully dedicated to teaching pickleball, Eric is excited to help players of all levels improve their skills and enjoy the game.

"Honestly, the lesson was quite helpful, especially in improving my serve consistency, though I think I need more practice on my volley movement. Still, Eric's tips gave me a decent boost.

I've won 5 National Gold Medals in singles, mixed, and men's pickleball events and hold an IPTPA Level 2 certification. With over 11 years of experience and a strong passion for the sport, I'd love to share my knowledge with you. I'm dedicated to teaching the fundamentals, clarifying the rules, and helping you see real improvement in your game, even after just one lesson.

"Coach Dean and his lesson plan was absolutely perfect for me. We/he spent time evaluating my skill level set up the lesson accordingly. The drills were designed to focus on the fundamentals which I really appreciate. He gave me an honest evaluation of strengths and weaknesses in a very positive way. Coach Dean really helped from the ground up with clear direction that made sense. Every bit of instruction came with an explanation and action/example behind it. I can’t wait to get a couple more lessons in and see where my game goes with Coach Deans instruction.

Hello! My name is Rish and I’m a dedicated Tennis and Pickleball Coach. I have more than 11 years of coaching experience teaching players of all ages and skill levels. In December 2024, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Michigan Tech with a B.S. in Management Information Systems and double minors in Pre-Health Professions and Public Health. I played four years of NCAA Division II tennis. I coached and captained my school’s pickleball team to DUPR Nationals in November 2024. As a current professional pickleball player on the PPA and APP Tours, I leverage my understanding of both tennis and pickleball to transform beginners into advanced players. My coaching style focuses on technique, strategy, and mental strength. Most importantly, I foster a positive learning environment for all my students, regardless of their skill level and goals. Coaching Philosophy & Strengths: • Fundamentals for Beginners: Emphasizing proper grip, footwork, stroke mechanics, and shot selection. • Competitive Player Development: Full court coverage, contact point timing, tactical play, and point set up. Serve variation dependent on playing conditions, tweaking specific stroke mechanics, and mental preparation. • Inclusive Coaching: Adapting methods to support diverse players during group lesson settings. • Specialized Coaching: Ex: Poaching I-Formation Drill for Doubles vs First Volley Approach Drill for Singles Coaching Experience (2016–Present): • Coached ages 3 to seniors, adapting lessons to individual needs. • Served as Lead Assistant Coach at various Southern California tennis camps. Coaching Highlights: • Guided a complete beginner to a 5.0 pickleball level in one academic year. • Mentored two collegiate teammates to 5.0 pickleball level within a year. • Led a collegiate pickleball team to a DUPR Nationals bid from unranked. • Improved a special-needs beginner tennis player from 3-ball rallies to 15-ball rallies. Team Captain & Coach on the DUPR Collegiate Circuit (2023-2024): • Led practice sessions, created lineups, coached teammates, and lead team to a Regional win. NCAA Division II Tennis at Michigan Tech (2020-2024): • Lead Michigan Tech to their first GLIAC conference win in over 20 years. • Only player with a win against D2 National Champions Wayne State. • ITA Scholar-Athlete (2021–2024), Academic Excellence (2022–2023). Professional Pickleball (2023–Present): • Top 25 finishes at 2 APP NextGen events, including a singles win over a doubles gold medalist. • Advanced in a PPA professional qualifier, defeated a 6.0 pro doubles team at 2nd NextGen event Junior Tennis Achievements (2016-2020): • Won the inaugural CIF Boys Open Division, graduating as the top national high school program. • Rated a 3-Star recruit with a highest UTR of 10 & Defeated a 12 UTR player before the pandemic.

New on this platform! I’ve been playing and coaching private lessons for over 4 years now. I combine a competitive 4.5 pickleball background with national-level badminton experience and a lifelong love for racquet sports. With three years of coaching experience, I emphasize clean technique, smart strategy, and game-like reps. Pickleball is meant to be fun, and I bring that energy to every session - challenging you to improve while keeping things upbeat, social, and rewarding.

"Can’t recommend Coach Dhruv enough! He comes with a depth of knowledge of the game, a structured approach to coaching, and an encouraging, positive attitude. I progressed from barely knowing the rules of Pickleball, to stepping on the court with confidence and a solid understanding of gameplay strategy. Choose Coach Dhruv if you want to lock down the basics, advance your game to the next level, and have fun while doing it!