Are Pickleball Lessons Worth It?

TL;DR: Pickleball lessons can be beneficial for both beginners and experienced players looking to improve their game. While not everyone may need formal training, targeted coaching can offer valuable skills enhancement and strategic insights.

Main Points:

• Pickleball is easy to start playing, but lessons can significantly enhance your gameplay.
• Lessons vary from self-taught methods to group and private coaching, each offering unique benefits.
• Choosing a certified coach ensures quality instruction tailored to your skill level and goals.
• Regardless of lesson choice, having the right equipment is crucial for success in pickleball.

Pickleball has enjoyed incredible growth in recent years. A large part of that success comes from the ease of picking up the game and understanding the fundamentals of pickleball.

The barriers to entry are pretty low overall, too. That’s one of the great things about pickleball.

In most places, it’s easy to find a pickleball court near you. You don’t need much to play besides a pickleball paddle, an opponent, and a court.

So, if this game is so easy to understand, and has a gentle slope of a learning curve as opposed to a steep one, are pickleball lessons really worth it?

Do I need Pickleball Lessons?

The truth is that every player is different. We can’t say that every single new player absolutely needs beginner pickleball lessons.

The game comes naturally to many players. If you’re an experienced athlete and especially if you’ve played racket sports before, you may not need pickleball lessons. That’s especially true if you’re only playing casually with friends or a local pickleball club.

However, the right kind of lessons can be helpful for both beginners and experienced pickleball players. Having an informed coach provide guidance and help you improve your game simply makes sense. Across nearly all sports, coaching is seen as an effective way for many players to improve.

Here’s another way to look at the question “Do I need pickleball lessons for beginners or higher-level play?”:

• Are you perfectly happy with the state of your game? Do you enjoy the way you play as things currently are? Then you might not need pickleball lessons.
• Do you wish you could improve your game? Do you want to nail down your fundamentals, sharpen your pickleball skills, or even work toward becoming a pro or ranked player? Then you might benefit from group or private pickleball lessons.

Pickleball is many things to many people. It’s perfectly fine if you mainly play for exercise and to socialize, and don’t feel a need to improve your game. It’s also perfectly fine if you love the thrill of competition and want to make yourself a better pickleball player, or even become a rated competitive player.

What if you decide that pickleball lessons are right for you? The most important thing to do is find the type of lessons that work for you. If you want to work with a coach, it’s in your best interests to find a qualified professional who can truly help improve your game.

Finding the Right Option for Pickleball Lessons

There are plenty of ways to access pickleball lessons and training. That makes it easy for people with different learning styles to find lessons that can deliver results.

There are many ways to take and benefit from pickleball lessons. As we review some popular options below, remember that many of them are complementary.

In other words, you don’t need to limit yourself to one kind of pickleball lesson or a single pickleball lesson plan. Mix and match to find what works for you!

Self-Taught Pickleball Lessons

You can use books and online resources for a self-taught approach. One example is The Art of Pickleball, a Pickleball Superstore partner. They offer a catalog of free and paid videos for skill training and drills, as well as digital coaching services.

Pickleball Group Lessons

Group lessons are often more affordable than private lessons while still providing valuable instruction. You get to work with a coach as well as meet fellow players. That may help you find more opportunities to play pickleball with people of similar skill levels.

It can be easier to put your pickleball lessons to work against players of a similar skill level, too. It can help to watch other players take the same guidance you receive and see how they adapt as well.

Private Pickleball Lessons

Private lessons are generally more expensive than other options. However, they also offer coaching that’s tailored to your specific needs. One-on-one instruction from the right coach means more focus on your fundamentals, skills, and development.

Private coaching can deliver everything from pro to beginner pickleball lesson plans designed to help all types of individual players improve.

A Note on Finding a Good Pickleball Coach

If you choose to take pickleball lessons from a coach, make sure you choose a qualified one.

USA Pickleball certifies coaches through two partner organizations: Pickleball Coaching International and the Professional Pickleball Registry. When a coach has a certification from one of these organizations, they’ve proven their abilities as a coach.

Everything You Need to Play Pickleball

Whether you choose to take pickleball lessons or not, you need the right gear for the game. Pickleball Superstore is here to help you get the best equipment and find a court near you to start playing!