Pickleball Coaching Secrets: Set Player Goals & Teach Better Lessons

Pickleball coaching is more than feeding drills—it's setting clear player goals, building smart progressions, and learning how to communicate so students actually improve. In this episode of One More Game, Kim McGuire and Sarah Ansboury break down what separates a true coach from a “peer with a basket,” including how to structure group lessons, when to recommend private coaching, and why continuing education (like PPR) matters more now than ever.

You’ll hear real-world coaching scenarios—from the classic “I just want to beat Bob at rec play” to why players often ask for one thing but need something else (hint: it’s not always the grip). They also talk about club standards, quality vs. quantity, how many players belong in a group lesson, and the coach’s responsibility to create consistent, athlete-centered learning without repeating the same clinic every week.

Plus: stories from the International Rackets Conference, a shoutout to Fall Brawl in St. George, Utah, and a hilarious (and painful) reminder that coaches need emotional intelligence on court just as much as technical knowledge.

 

You can find me on other sites as well:

Website: https://sarahansbourypickleballacademy.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahansbourypickleball/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarahansboury/

 

#Pickleball #PPRPickleball #SarahAnsboury