Coach Heather

When I began my pickleball journey, I sought out private and group lessons, clinics and camps, read several books on pickleball and watched countless pickleball coaching videos. I was eager to learn as much as I could about this fun new game called pickleball. Over the course of approximately five years I have had the great privilege to learn from over forty pickleball coaches, each with varied perspectives and talents, all certified coaches and many of them Pros.  I took in everything they had to offer through my personal knowledge as a multi-sport coach with an understanding of coaching, body mechanics, and strategic sports thinking.  I consider myself to be a very coachable player and I trust that there is always something for me to take away from every coach I encounter.

 

What I came to experience was a more generalized model of coaching, all well-meaning and informative, but not always supporting me in achieving my goals as a player. As a woman in my sixties with some physical limitations, I needed more personalized attention and someone to fully understand what I am, and am not capable of on the court…I needed a coach who took the time to see me. For instance, when a male PPA Pro was instructing me on covering the court, I knew I wasn't able to move in the same way he was; he was 30 years my junior, and a long-time tennis player… or a female coach and Pro that instructed me to go around my backhand drop shot and hit it on the forehand.  I didn't want to go around my backhand, I wanted to develop my backhand drop shot, and I didn't have the speed she had as a player, almost forty years my junior.  I knew in the long run I had to have a backhand drop shot to achieve success on the court at the level I desired.  Both of these coaches were well-qualified coaches and skilled players, but they weren't seeing me as an individual player with talents and limitations.  I needed a coach who could see me fully and was able to build on my skills and strengths, and teach me how to compensate for my limitations through development and strategic play.  Along my journey, I had some amazing experiences with wonderful coaches who gave me a glimpse of what I was seeking. I am thankful for each of them and, in particular, one who has worked with me consistently for the last four years and has empowered me as a player and supported me in developing myself as a pickleball coach. I am forever grateful to him.

 

Out of my personal experience, I developed the  “Discover Your Game Philosophy” and have been using it successfully since 2023 to support players in developing their game.  My approach supports players in maximizing their physical, mental, and strategic abilities on the court and empowers them in reaching their pickleball goals. I appreciate the physical, mental and emotional skills of each player that I work with, and my coaching is directed specifically to your needs.  Player development is based on your current skill set, and your personal goals. I focus on both the micro and the macro elements of your physical mechanics to support optimal performance on the pickleball court. This approach maximizes your training and development time, so you can see improvements on the court and experience the satisfaction of developing yourself as a player. Great care is given to your well-being and safe movement on the court,  so you not only enjoy today's play, but tomorrow's also.  Emphasis is placed on your safety and well-being, supporting your long-term pickleball play.

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One of the beautiful aspects that I love about pickleball is that there is a place for everyone.  I appreciate and honor the courage it takes to put yourself on the pickleball court.  I especially value the trust that you put in me when you choose to work with me as a coach.  I have had the great privilege to work with over two hundred pickleball players, and it has brought me great joy to support them in reaching their pickleball goals.  If your goal is to be the happiest, most consistent 2.5 player in recreational play, or to be a 4.0 competitive player that plays with honor, integrity, and a good bit of fun…or anywhere in between, I look forward to working with you and supporting you in reaching for all you desire in your pickleball game.