Private Pickleball Lessons & Coaches in Newark, NJ

As an experienced player with seven years of pickleball and 30+ yrs of tennis coaching experience, I bring a fun yet focused approach to learning and helping you elevate your game, no matter your skill level. Let's get you started, rallying with confidence and strategy! As an East Harlem resident, I use the E. 108St & 3rd Ave playground courts on Sat/Sun & wkdays 7:30am-12n (when public schools are closed). Schooldays: 8am-10am.

Fueled by a passion for pickleball and Basketball, I bring two years of coaching experience for Pickleball and 40 years of experience playing basketball to help players of all levels elevate their game. As an experienced player, I tailor my approach to ensure a fun, engaging, and effective learning environment.

"You won't regret choosing Shaan as your coach! He brings an amazing energy to every session. What stands out is how he blends his two years of pickleball coaching experience with his lifelong love for basketball – it gives him a really well-rounded perspective. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine advanced techniques, Shaan creates a fun, motivating, and incredibly effective learning experience. He's truly dedicated to helping you succeed."

As a seasoned pickleball coach with a focus on integrating the physical and mental dimensions of the game, I specialize in helping players develop fundamental techniques and elevate their pickleball IQ. With over 5 years of coaching and playing experience, I've refined my skills alongside top players, deepening my understanding of the game and enhancing my coaching expertise. Holding the highest certification from the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association, I'm dedicated to unlocking each player's full potential and fostering the growth of pickleball at every level. Let's step onto the court together and take your game to new heights.

Tennis has been a lifelong passion for me, but about three years ago, the magnetic allure of pickleball caught my attention. Intrigued and motivated to spread my love for this sport, I pursued PPR certification and embarked on a teaching journey that has now spanned over a year. My teaching endeavors have seen me conducting numerous classes, reaching out to hundreds of players at various levels of expertise, all within the welcoming environment of the YMCA. Pickleball is more than a game; it's a community, a vibrant connection of enthusiasts coming together to enjoy the thrill of the sport. As a dedicated instructor, my mission is to share this excitement and the skills that make the game enjoyable for players of all backgrounds and levels. My goal is to contribute to the growth of pickleball and help individuals discover the joy of this engaging and dynamic sport.

"I love James! Best coach for a newbie like me.

With five years of pickleball instruction, I foster a supportive yet challenging environment for all skill levels. I’m dedicated to helping you unlock your potential and elevate your game with tailored strategies and techniques. Let's refine your skills and have fun!

"He was very professional in teaching and kept the entire 1h lesson with a lot of fun so that I never felt tired or bored. The beginner lessons from him were definitely worth it.

Fueling court confidence is my mission! With 3 years of experience and college coaching expertise, I help players of all levels sharpen their pickleball skills. Expect focused, fun sessions designed to elevate your game. I'm a certified pickleball coach known for clear instruction, smart strategy, and an encouraging teaching style. With a background in competitive play and years of coaching athletes of all ages, I focus on building strong fundamentals while helping players develop confidence and court IQ. I believe the game should be both competitive and fun. Whether teaching beginners or advancing tournament players, I blend technical coaching with a fun, motivating experience on every court. For the new recreational players, I help them feel comfortable on the court while learning practical skills they can use right away. With upbeat energy and easy-to-follow coaching, I create a relaxed environment where improvement feels natural- and laughter is always part of the session. For advanced levels, and those seeking a competitive edge, I'm a high-performance pickleball coach focused on developing technically sound, mentally tough, match-ready athletes. With experience competing and coaching at advanced levels, I bring deep strategic insight into footwork, shot selection, and pressure play. Players work with me to sharpen competitive instincts, elevate consistency, and build habits required for tournament success. For those that are more technique driven, I specialize in refining form, footwork, and efficiency on the court. With a strong background in sports movement and biomechanics, I help players develop smoother strokes, better balance, and smarter shot mechanics. Lessons focus on quality repetition, precision, and building a durable skill foundation. A. Beginner Lesson Structure (60 minutes) 1. Warm Up (5 min) - Light movement + paddle contact basics 2. Grip & Stance Fundamentals (5 min) 3. Dinking Technique & Control (15 min) 4. Volleys & Kitchen Rules (10 min) 5. Serve + Return Basics (10 min) 6. Mini-Game/Controlled Rally (10 min) 7. Q&A + Take-Home Drills (5 min) B. Intermediate Lesson Structure (75 minutes) 1. Dynamic Warmup (5 min) 2. Third Shot Options: Drop vs Drive (15 min) 3. Transition Zone Footwork (15 min) 4. Net Play Patterns (Dink to Attack) (15 min) 5. Situational Drills (10 min) 6. Live Point Play With Coaching (15 min) C. Advanced/Competitive Training (90 min) 1. Athletic Warmup + Reaction Drills (10 min) 2. Third-Shot Pressure Drills (15 min) 3. Speed-Up/Counterattack Training (15 min) 4. Doubles Pattern Work (15 min) 5. Defensive Reset Mastery (15 min) 6. Live Points & Strategy Coaching (20 min) D. Group Clinic Format (4-12 players) -Station-Based Drills: serving, dinking, drops, volleys -Rotating Partners: build chemistry & adaptability -Challenge Courts: king/queen of the court -End-of-Clinic Mini Tournament E. Private Lesson Flow 1. Player Evaluation & Goals 2. Customized technical work 3. Game-situational practice 4. Personalized improvement plan

Don DiLorenzo – Certified Pickleball Instructor I’m a PPR-certified pickleball instructor with over 4 years of coaching experience, working with players of all ages and skill levels—from brand-new beginners to advanced competitors. My goal is to make learning fun, approachable, and tailored to each player’s unique style and goals. Whether you’re looking to build a strong foundation, fine-tune your technique, or develop winning strategies, I offer clear, supportive instruction that helps you grow your game with confidence. I specialize in fundamentals, court positioning, shot selection, and game IQ—while keeping sessions dynamic, safe and engaging. Let’s get you playing smarter, faster, and with more enjoyment every time you step on the court!

"Don is an excellent choice for seniors looking to learn or improve at pickleball. He understands the limitations of people that are slightly older like myself. He focuses on fundamentals, puts safety 1st and explains how to play smarter not harder while creating a relaxed, welcoming environment. Players feel supported and comfortable at every level. Keeps the fun in the game.

Passionate and experienced pickleball coach, also a football coach for over two decades. Founder of Boardwalk Pickleball Company, organizing successful tournaments. Inspiring players of all levels to embrace pickleball as a way of life.

"Review: This was our second lesson. We continued to work on the basic skills of dunking, volleying and third shot drops. These were all things that we needed to work on. We added some new skill drills to workin strategy as well as play. Will continue to take future lessons. Extremely happy.