Our coaching programme is provided by our long-established partner, JWT Coaching.

JWT run coaching sessions for children and adults, with a pathway from complete beginner to advanced levels.  James Smith is our specialist pickleball coach. James runs Private and small-group coaching (1–4 players) for £36/hr. For a group of four, that's only £9/hr per person. Contact James for more details or to book:

Jamessmith22@msn.com / 07817 90 80 90

Pickleball Rating Guide

Within the pickleball world you will hear people talking about their rating and their “journey” to reach the next level.  Many players will play quite happily without knowing their rating level, but for some, particularly if you want to get involved in tournament play, ratings are an important part of matching you to the right opponent at your level.  Much of recreational pickleball is played with players with a rating between 3-3.5. Some will go onto reach a rating of 4.0 and above, with professionals needing a rating of 5.0+.

Once James gets to understand your game and playing style, he will be able to give you an idea of your rating and the coaching pathway you will need to follow if you want to reach the next level:

• 2.0 – 2.5 → New player, learning rules and rally basics
• 3.0 → Solid intermediate; dinks and drops developing; basic tactics understood
• 3.5 → Stronger consistency, improved decision-making, fewer unforced errors
• 4.0+ → Advanced player with high-level patterns, pressure tactics, and refined technique

Coaching Pathway

Below are the structured coaching categories James will be using.

Beginner (2.0 – 2.5 Rating)

Focus: Fundamentals, confidence, and understanding how to play properly.

What I Cover

Basics & Rules

• Court layout, scoring, serving rules
• Understanding the kitchen / No Volley Zone
• How points start & finish
• Safe movement around the court

Technical Foundations

• Grip (continental)
• Ready position & simple footwork
• Forehand & backhand groundstrokes
• Dinks: soft hands + simple shape
• Basic volley technique
• Introduction to the serve (consistent & legal)

Positional Awareness

• Where to stand during points
• Doubles movement: working as a pair
• Transitioning from baseline → kitchen safely
• High vs low ball decision-making
• Do’s and Don’ts
• Terminology

Outcomes

You learn the rules, flow of the game, how to rally, and how to play points with confidence.

Intermediate (3.0 Rating)

Focus: Building tactical patterns, improving technique, and reducing unforced errors.

Technical Improvement

• More reliable dinks (depth, height, spin)
• Consistent 3rd-shot drops & drives
• Improved volleys (block & punch)
• Adding spin & shape to groundstrokes
• Stronger serving and purposeful returns

Tactical Training

• When to drive vs when to drop
• Working your way into the kitchen
• Targeting feet, open space & weaknesses
• Building the dink → attack pattern
• Doubles systems: stacking, signalling, role clarity
• Constructing pressure through smarter shot selection

Defensive Skills

• Resetting from mid-court
• Blocking and softening hard drives
• Staying composed under pressure

Outcomes

You begin to think like a pickleball player — more control, better choices, higher consistency, and deeper tactical understanding.

Advanced (3.5 – 4.0+ Rating)

Focus: Precision, pressure tactics, advanced pattern development, and point construction.

High-Level Technical Training

• Dink control with disguise & pace variation
• Offensive volleys (roll volleys, aggressive counters)
• Sharp resets under pressure
• Topspin drives + roll drops
• Pressure serving & returning patterns
• Shot disguise & deception

Advanced Tactical Concepts

• Creating and exploiting patterns
• Finishing points at the kitchen
• Speed-up / counter-attack sequences
• When to attack, how to attack, and how to defend the attack
• Tactical dinking: pulling opponents wide or low
• Transition-zone mastery
• Controlling the neutral → attack → finish cycle

Match-Play Coaching

• Analysing forced vs unforced errors
• Reading opponents’ tendencies
• Doubles communication systems
• Tournament mindset & preparation

Outcomes

You sharpen your game to compete confidently in strong club sessions, internal leagues, and tournament environments.

If you already play pickleball and are interested to know your rating level, please speak to James.

JWT Pro Shop

JWT offer a Pickleball Pro Shop, where you’ll find high-quality Karakal paddles, balls and accessories designed for power, control, and consistency on the court, indoors and out. Complement your game with performance Yonex footwear and apparel, crafted for comfort, stability, and style. Please speak to James about our 'try before you buy' on pickleball paddles.