Los Angeles Pickleball Coach Alex (Updated November 2026)

Coach Alex's Pickleball Tips

1. 

   Arrive With One Clear Goal

   Before your first pickleball lesson, choose one question or skill you want to address, such as a steadier serve or better court positioning. Tell me your experience level and what feels difficult; I can tailor the session instead of guessing. Bring water, a paddle if you have one, and a willingness to learn. For beginner pickleball lessons, curiosity matters more than getting every shot right.

2. 

   Choose The Right Lesson Format

   Private pickleball lessons give you focused feedback and a plan built around your needs. Semi-private pickleball lessons let two players learn together while still getting individual coaching. Group pickleball lessons add partner changes and shared drills. Ask which format fits your goal, schedule, and comfort level. I offer all three, plus hitting only sessions when you want purposeful rally time without a full instruction plan.

3. 

   Make Every Session Specific

   Start each session by naming one priority, then agree on a simple way to measure it. In adult pickleball lessons, that might mean keeping more third shots in play; kids pickleball lessons may focus on ready position and contact. A clear target helps your pickleball coach choose useful drills and keeps the hour focused, while leaving room to adjust if a skill needs more attention.

4. 

   Practice Between Lessons With Purpose

   Between pickleball lessons, repeat a small set of drills rather than trying to fix everything at once. Choose one technique from your session, practice it slowly, then add movement only when the contact feels reliable. If you have a partner, take turns feeding predictable balls. Keep practice short enough to stay focused, and write down what felt easier or still needs a coach's feedback.

5. 

   Use Hitting Sessions Wisely

   A hitting only session is useful when you already know the shot you want to rehearse and need consistent repetitions. Before we start, tell me whether you want feeds, cooperative rallies, or point-like patterns. I can keep the pace appropriate and notice recurring habits, but this format is not a substitute for instruction when you need a technique explained or a movement corrected.

6. 

   Set Goals You Can Control

   Set goals around actions you can repeat, not outcomes you cannot control. Aim to use a ready position before each return, recover after a shot, or make a deliberate target choice. Your pickleball instructor can help turn a broad wish, like playing better, into a practice cue. Revisit the goal every few sessions; progress may look like more reliable decisions before it shows up on the scoreboard.

7. 

   Bring A Partner Into Learning

   Semi-private pickleball lessons work well when two players share a similar pace and can take turns observing. Agree on a common focus, but tell me about individual needs so each player gets useful feedback. For junior pickleball lessons, a parent can help a young player remember one simple cue between sessions. A supportive partner makes practice more engaging without turning every drill into a competition.

8. 

   Track Progress After Each Session

   After each lesson, record the drill, one cue, and a quick example of what improved or broke down. Note confidence as well as successful shots; both help show whether a skill is becoming dependable. Bring those notes to your next session so I can adjust the plan. Players taking pickleball lessons in Los Angeles can use this simple log to keep learning organized around busy schedules.

9. 

   Ask For Feedback You Can Use

   Useful feedback is specific enough to guide your next repetition. Instead of asking whether a shot was good, ask what to change first: contact point, paddle angle, or recovery. Then repeat the movement with one cue at a time. If advice feels unclear, ask me to demonstrate it or feed a slower ball. Clear questions help private pickleball lessons stay practical and make independent practice more confident.

10. 

    Coach's Corner

    I teach players to treat the third shot as a decision, not a reflex. After your serve return, notice whether your opponents are back or moving forward; then choose a controlled drop when you can reach the kitchen line safely, or a drive when the ball sits up. I want you balanced after contact, ready for the next ball. In lessons, we practice the choice before adding speed.

Whether you are new to the game or refining a reliable shot, I can help you turn a broad goal into a practical lesson plan. I’m Alex, a pickleball coach in Los Angeles, and I offer private, semi-private, and group pickleball lessons, along with hitting only sessions. Bring your questions, choose a first step, and we’ll build progress one session at a time. Book pickleball lessons with me and get started!