Pickleball with Anne Zarraonandia
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💰$125 weekly lessons
Driven by a genuine passion for pickleball, I've spent the last 8 years sharing my love for the game with others. As an Elite RSPA (Racquet Sports Profession) in Tennis and Pickleball, I bring a unique blend of decades of experience and expertise to every lesson. Let's work together to elevate your game and unlock your full potential on the court!
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Teaches: Kids, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors
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Levels: Beginners, Intermediates, Experts
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Lives in: Sausalito, California
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Happy Student Score: Not available
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Years Playing: Not specified
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Given: 5 lessons
Accomplishments
🏅Tournament Winner
➕Safe Play Approved, First Aid & CPR Certified
Certifications & Badges
📝USPTA Certified (PB)
Reviews
Total reviews5
Average rating
5.0
Caden
Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 10
Caden has been loving pickleball with you. Thank you for introducing him to this fun sport!
Jessika
Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 10
Thank you! Really enjoying these lessons. You are making it very fun Anne!
Paula
Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 3
Anne- we had the best time! My mom has now joined a pickleball group back at home. She felt empowered with her new skill and so many of her golf buddies are now playing Pickelball. Weekly pickleball round robin is on her schedule! Thank you!
Donna
Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 2
Thanks Anne! You make the game easy to understand and I’m happy we took things slow - my body appreciates it! I can wait to play again!
Anna
Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 1
Hi Anne- that was so much fun playing pickle the other day! It helped me when you said let your squash game come out in my pickleball game. I love that you connected the two for me. My confidence has grown!
Locations
These are the locations I've set as being able to provide lessons:1 court available
Golden Gate Village
100 Drake Ave, Sausalito, CA 94965, USA
2111.3 miles awayOutdoors
Availability
These are the times I've set as being available for lessons.sundays
8 AM - 8 PM
mondays
8 AM - 8 PM
tuesdays
8 AM - 8 PM
wednesdays
8 AM - 8 PM
thursdays
8 AM - 8 PM
fridays
8 AM - 8 PM
saturdays
8 AM - 8 PM
Beginner training plan
Your first lessonBeginner 10-Part Pickleball Lesson Plan
This comprehensive 10-part lesson plan is designed for new pickleball players, guiding them from foundational concepts to strategic gameplay. Each lesson builds upon the previous, creating an "upward spiral of learning" that fosters skill development and confidence on the court.
Lesson 1: Welcome to the Court! (Introduction & Groundstrokes)
* Understanding the Game & Equipment Differences: Introduce pickleball's unique blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Explain the court dimensions and the non-volley zone (kitchen). Discuss how pickleball equipment (solid paddle, plastic wiffle ball) differs from other racket/paddle sports (e.g., stringed rackets, felt balls in tennis; smaller rackets in badminton).
* The Ready Position, Forehand Basics & Grips: Demonstrate the athletic ready position and proper paddle grip (e.g., continental or handshake grip). Begin with gentle forehand groundstroke practice, focusing on consistent contact and follow-through by dropping and hitting. Emphasize that the dink shot (short, medium, and longer variations) is a fundamental shot from which much of pickleball strategy stems, even if it will be covered in more detail later.
* What to Wear & Safety Tips: Advise on comfortable athletic clothing, athletic shoes (for court movement and ankle support), and hydration. Introduce basic safety tips such as calling out-of-bounds balls, being aware of others on the court, and warming up before play.
* Basic Scoring & Sportsmanship: Learn how points are scored, the concept of "side out," and the importance of calling scores loudly. Emphasize good sportsmanship and calling lines fairly.
Lesson 11+Lesson 11: Beyond the Basics (Community & Continuous Learning)
* Exploring Tournaments, Round-Robins, & League Play: Introduce different organized play formats, explaining how they work and how to find local opportunities. Discuss the benefits of competitive or structured play for skill development.
* Understanding Ratings & Skill Levels: Briefly explain player rating systems (e.g., DUPR) and how they help ensure fair and competitive matches. Encourage self-assessment and finding appropriate playing partners.
* Giving Back to the Pickleball Community: Discuss ways to contribute to the growth of pickleball, such as volunteering at local courts, mentoring new players, or sharing knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport.
This plan provides a solid framework for beginners to confidently learn and enjoy pickleball, progressively building their skills and understanding of the game.
Lesson 4-10Lesson 4: Third Shot Drop & Volley Fundamentals (Transition & Control)
* Purpose of the Third Shot Drop: Explain the crucial role of the third shot drop in transitioning from the baseline to the NVZ. Practice hitting a soft shot that lands in the opponent's NVZ from the baseline.
* Forehand & Backhand Volley (Punch/Block): Introduce the volley, emphasizing a compact swing and punching the ball forward from the NVZ line. Focus on blocking opponent's shots and resetting to the NVZ.
* Serve-Return-Third Shot Drop Drill: Integrate the learned shots into a drill: serve, return, third shot drop, and then immediately move to the NVZ for volley practice.
Lesson 5: Court Positioning & Basic Game Play (Putting it Together)
* Doubles Court Positioning: Teach proper positioning for doubles play, emphasizing the "two-up, two-back" and "four at the kitchen" strategies. Explain when and why to move.
* Communicating on the Court: Introduce basic communication strategies for doubles, such as calling "yours," "mine," "out," and "bounce." Practice verbal cues during drills.
* Introduction to Full Game Play: Facilitate supervised game play, reinforcing serving, returning, getting to the NVZ, and dinking. Provide real-time feedback on positioning and shot selection.
Lesson 6: Advanced Dink & NVZ Strategies (Becoming a Kitchen Master)
* Controlled Dink Placement: Refine dinking skills by practicing placing dinks strategically: cross-court, straight-ahead, and down the middle, to exploit opponent weaknesses or set up attacks.
* Aggressive NVZ Play: Learn to identify and attack high dinks or volleys with more pace, aiming to put the ball away or create opportunities. Focus on quick hands and paddle control.
* NVZ Footwork Drills: Practice efficient footwork around the NVZ, including shuffling, quick steps, and maintaining balance to be ready for incoming shots.
Lesson 7: The Drive Shot (Offensive Power from the Baseline)
* Forehand & Backhand Drive: Teach the drive shot, a faster, more aggressive shot hit from the baseline. Emphasize racket head speed and hitting through the ball.
* When to Drive vs. When to Drop: Discuss the strategic decision-making behind choosing to drive or drop the third shot. Analyze opponent positioning and court situation.
* Transition Zone Play: Understand the importance of the "transition zone" between the baseline and NVZ. Practice hitting shots while moving through this area effectively.
Lesson 8: The Lob & Overhead Smash (High-Impact Shots)
* The Defensive Lob: Introduce the lob as a strategic shot to reset a rally, give your team time to recover, or move opponents off the NVZ. Practice hitting lobs with appropriate height and depth.
* The Overhead Smash: Teach the overhead smash for putting away high balls. Focus on proper footwork, body rotation, and hitting down through the ball with power.
* Lob & Smash Drills: Combine lobs and smashes in drills, allowing players to practice both defensive lobs and offensive overhead attacks.
Lesson 9: Defensive Strategy & Poaching (Anticipation & Teamwork)
* Defensive Shot Selection: Focus on various defensive shots, including block volleys, resets (soft shots back into the NVZ), and defensive lobs, to neutralize opponent attacks.
* Introduction to Poaching: Briefly introduce the concept of "poaching" in doubles – crossing over to hit a shot in your partner's court. Discuss when it's appropriate and the risks involved.
* Anticipation & Reading Opponents: Develop skills in anticipating opponent shots based on their body language, paddle face, and court positioning.
Lesson 10: Integrated Match Play & Personal Feedback (Game On!)
* Full Match Play with Coaching: Engage in extended match play sessions, allowing players to integrate all learned skills and strategies in a live game environment.
* Strategic Decision-Making: Encourage players to make strategic decisions during points, such as when to drive, dink, lob, or reset, based on the game situation.
* Personalized Feedback & Next Steps: Provide individualized feedback to each player on their strengths and areas for improvement. Discuss resources for continued practice and advanced play.
Lesson 2-3Lesson 2: Serving & Receiving (The Foundation of Play)
* Underhand Serve Mechanics: Teach the legal underhand serve, emphasizing paddle below the wrist and contact below the waist. Practice serving consistently over the net and into the correct service box.
* Basic Backhand Groundstroke: Introduce the backhand groundstroke, focusing on proper grip rotation (if applicable) and a smooth, compact swing. Drills will involve hitting fed balls.
* The Deep Return of Serve: Explain the importance of a deep return of serve to give your team time to get to the non-volley zone. Practice hitting returns past the opponent's service line.
Lesson 3: The "Kitchen" & The Dink (Soft Game Mastery)
* Rules of the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ): Detail the "kitchen" rules, including the fault for volleying while standing in or on the NVZ line. Practice moving in and out of the NVZ safely.
* Forehand & Backhand Dink Shot: Introduce the dink shot – a soft shot hit into the opponent's NVZ. Focus on control, touch, and placing the ball just over the net, aiming for opponents' feet.
* Dink Drills & Target Practice: Conduct drills where players practice dinking cross-court and straight ahead, aiming for specific targets within the NVZ to improve accuracy and consistency.
Advanced training plan
Your first lessonAdvanced 11-Part Pickleball Lesson Plan
This advanced 11-part lesson plan is designed for pickleball players looking to move beyond the basics, focusing on refining technique, enhancing consistency, and mastering high-level strategy. It acknowledges that even for experienced players, the fundamental nature of the game and the unpredictable bounce of that "ball with holes" can always offer new challenges and opportunities for humility and growth.
Lesson 1: Refining Foundational Mechanics (Grips & Footwork)
* Advanced Grip Variations & Transitions: Explore subtle grip adjustments for different shots (e.g., continental for dinks/volleys, semi-western for power groundstrokes) and practice seamless transitions between them.
* Dynamic Ready Position & Integrated Footwork: Analyze personalized ready positions for optimal court coverage. Implement advanced footwork drills focusing on lateral movement, quick pivots, and explosive bursts for better court presence.
* Paddle Face Control & Spin Introduction: Deepen understanding of paddle face angles for maximum control. Introduce intentional topspin and backspin on groundstrokes to manipulate ball trajectory and bounce.
Lesson 11+Lesson 11: High-Level Competition & Community Leadership (Sustaining the Game)
* Tournament Preparation & Strategy: Understand the dynamics of tournament play, including bracket management, warm-up routines, and adapting to different opponents and court conditions.
* Advanced Player Ratings & Skill Development: Explore how to effectively use rating systems (e.g., DUPR) for competitive play, identify areas for continued improvement, and set personal skill goals.
* Leadership & Mentorship in Pickleball: Embrace the role of experienced players in growing the sport, from organizing advanced play sessions to mentoring new players and contributing to local pickleball communities.
This advanced plan challenges players to constantly push their limits, emphasizing consistency, strategy, and the ongoing journey of mastering the game, even when faced with that surprisingly tricky ball with holes!
Lesson 4-10Lesson 4: Third Shot Mastery & Court Transition (Owning the Mid-Court)
* Third Shot Drop with Spin & Disguise: Perfect the third shot drop using slice and topspin, and learn to disguise it as a drive. Focus on landing it consistently within inches of the NVZ line.
* Aggressive Third Shot Drive & Attack: Develop powerful and precise third shot drives that exploit weak returns, aiming for opponent's feet or shoulders, and immediately transitioning to the NVZ.
* Seamless Transition & Anticipation: Refine movement from the baseline to the NVZ after the third shot, emphasizing anticipation of opponent reactions and establishing an immediate offensive posture.
Lesson 5: Advanced Doubles Positioning & Communication (The Team Dynamic)
* Dynamic Court Movement & Gaps: Master fluid court movement in doubles, anticipating opponent shots and intelligently filling court gaps to cut off angles and cover vulnerabilities.
* Non-Verbal Communication & Partner Reads: Develop advanced non-verbal cues and the ability to "read" your partner's intentions and movements instinctively, enhancing court chemistry.
* Strategic Poaching & Covering: Learn when and how to poach effectively to put away balls, while simultaneously understanding your partner's responsibilities to cover the vacated space.
Lesson 6: Winning the Hands Battle (Volley Exchanges & Reflexes)
* Aggressive & Defensive Volley Techniques: Master both punch volleys for attack and soft block volleys for defense, adapting to different ball speeds and angles at the net.
* Rapid-Fire Volley Drills: Engage in fast-paced drills focusing on quick reflexes, accurate placement, and controlled power during intense volley exchanges at the NVZ.
* Reading Opponent Volley Habits: Learn to anticipate opponent volley patterns and paddle angles to predict shot direction and gain a split-second advantage in the hands battle.
Lesson 7: Power & Precision Drives (Baseline Offensive Weapons)
* Targeted Drives with Topspin/Slice: Develop highly accurate forehand and backhand drives with heavy topspin or slice, aiming for deep corners, the opponent's feet, or to open up the court.
* Drive Strategy & Follow-Through: Understand when to use drives as an offensive weapon (e.g., against opponents caught out of position, to break up dink rallies) and how to immediately follow up.
* Resetting with Power: Learn to hit powerful groundstrokes that aren't necessarily winners but effectively reset the point from deep in the court, buying time to recover position.
Lesson 8: Offensive Lobs & Put-Away Smashes (Vertical Play)
* Offensive Lob Placement & Disguise: Master the offensive lob, aiming for deep corners or over specific opponents to force them back, create openings, or set up easy put-aways.
* Advanced Overhead Smash Power & Accuracy: Develop a consistent, powerful overhead smash that can be hit from various positions on the court, focusing on angles and pace to put the ball away.
* Loblash & Smash Counter-Attack: Learn to effectively transition from a defensive lob to an offensive smash, and how to counter-attack opponents who attempt to lob your team.
Lesson 9: Advanced Defensive Play & Counter-Attack (Neutralizing Offense)
* Disciplined Defense & Patience: Focus on consistent, low-error defensive play, using resets, blocks, and well-placed lobs to extend rallies and neutralize opponent attacks.
* Identifying Attack Opportunities from Defense: Learn to recognize when a defensive shot can be turned into an offensive opportunity, and how to quickly transition from defense to attack.
* Defensive Footwork & Anticipation: Implement advanced footwork patterns for retrieving tough shots and develop the ability to anticipate opponent power shots to prepare for defensive returns.
Lesson 10: Match Strategy & Mental Toughness (The Complete Player)
* Developing a Game Plan: Learn to analyze opponent strengths and weaknesses before and during a match, and develop tailored game plans to exploit their vulnerabilities.
* Mental Resilience & Focus: Practice maintaining composure under pressure, recovering from errors, and staying focused throughout long matches. Develop pre-point routines and positive self-talk.
* Executing Under Pressure: Implement drills that simulate match pressure, requiring precise shot execution and strategic decision-making in critical situations.
Lesson 2-3Lesson 2: Strategic Serving & Returning (Gaining the Advantage)
* Serve Placement & Spin Variations: Master serves with intentional spin (topspin, slice) and precise placement (deep corners, body serves, short/deep serves) to create immediate pressure and force weak returns.
* Aggressive Return of Serve: Develop returns that not only go deep but also include elements of pace, spin, and targeting to prevent opponents from advancing to the NVZ comfortably.
* Understanding Serve & Return Patterns: Analyze common serve/return patterns and develop strategies to exploit opponent tendencies, setting up your third shot for success.
Lesson 3: Advanced Dink Strategies (The Art of the Soft Game)
* Offensive Dink Placement & Disguise: Master dinks that force opponents into uncomfortable positions (e.g., wide angles, deep into the kitchen, body dinks). Learn to disguise dink intentions to keep opponents guessing.
* Counter-Dinking & Patience: Develop the ability to absorb aggressive dinks and counter-dink effectively, maintaining rally control and waiting for the right moment to attack.
* Dink Battles & Patience in the NVZ: Engage in sustained dink rallies, focusing on consistency under pressure, identifying weaknesses in opponent dinks, and executing precise shots to win the kitchen battle.
Youth players
Working with kidsI've truly enjoyed teaching pickleball to young players of all ages for decades, and their incredible sense of humor and joy always make every lesson a blast!
* * Understanding the Game: Start by having fun and learning the basic rules of pickleball, like where to stand and how to gently hit the ball over the net.
* * Ready Position & Basic Hits: Practice standing in your ready position and making light hits, focusing on keeping the ball going consistently.
* * Basic Scoring & Sportsmanship: Learn how to count points and, most importantly, how to be a good sport and treat everyone fairly on the court.
* * Safety First: Remember to stay aware of your surroundings, call out the score, and always warm up your body before playing to stay safe.
Working with teenagersI've truly enjoyed teaching pickleball to young players of all ages for decades, and their incredible sense of humor and joy always make every lesson a blast!
* * Refining Serve & Return: Focus on consistent underhand serves and deep returns to control the rally from the start and allow your team to advance.
* * Mastering the Soft Game: Develop precise dink shots and controlled volleys in the non-volley zone to dictate pace, force errors, and set up winning opportunities.
* * Strategic Game Play & Court Positioning: Learn effective doubles positioning and communication strategies to anticipate opponent shots and work cohesively with your partner.
* * Engaging in Organized Play & Community: Explore local tournaments, round-robins, and leagues to challenge your skills, and consider mentoring newer players to contribute to the pickleball community.
What you need to bringPaddle, water bottle, court shoes
What I can bringPickleballs
Frequently asked questions
Cancellation Policy
We totally understand that life can be unpredictable and plans might change. That's
why we've got your back with our flexible cancellation policy, designed to give you
peace of mind when booking private sports lessons with our awesome local instructors!
If you need to cancel your lesson, no worries! You can get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of making your booking. We want to make the process as hassle-free as possible for you.
And if you simply want to reschedule your lesson, change the date and time, or adjust the number of students joining, we've got you covered there too. You can easily make these changes within 24 hours of booking, and up to 72 hours before your lesson starts.
Our goal is to make your experience smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that we're here to accommodate your needs every step of the way!
If you need to cancel your lesson, no worries! You can get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of making your booking. We want to make the process as hassle-free as possible for you.
And if you simply want to reschedule your lesson, change the date and time, or adjust the number of students joining, we've got you covered there too. You can easily make these changes within 24 hours of booking, and up to 72 hours before your lesson starts.
Our goal is to make your experience smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that we're here to accommodate your needs every step of the way!
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Pickleball with Anne Z.New to TeachMe.To