Get a free trial lesson with Ernest

Learn Pickleball with Ernest

💰$94 weekly lessons

Pickleball is my passion! I am honored to share the love of the game with you and I hope to increase your skill level and have a fun time!

Background checked

Levels taught: Beginners, Intermediates, Experts

•

Teaches: Kids, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors

🏅Experienced Player

📝DUPR Certified

🎓4 years playing

🔥New to TeachMe.To

⭐️League Player

New to TeachMe.To

We strictly vet every TeachMeTo instructor, so you can book with confidence.

This coach is exceptional. We accept fewer than 10% of coaches who apply, because our students deserve only the best. Make their first week great and book now!

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 lessonSection 1: Foundations & Rules Goal: Learn the court, rules, grip, and basic strokes. Focus Areas: • Rules & Scoring: Understand double bounce rule, serve rules, kitchen/no-volley zone. • Court Layout: Learn where to stand and basic positioning. • Grip & Ready Position: Use a continental grip (like shaking hands with the paddle). • Basic Shots: • Serve: Underhand, cross-court. • Return of Serve • Dink: Soft shot into the kitchen. Drills: • Wall rally (if no partner) • Serve and return practice • Dink drill with partner Tips: • Keep paddle up and out in front. • Stay on the balls of your feet. • Watch the ball all the way to your paddle.

Lesson 11+Section 4: Game Play & Improvement Plan Goal: Start playing full games and identify areas to improve. Focus Areas: • Game Play: Practice full games to apply skills. • Shot Selection: Know when to drive, drop, or dink. • Match Strategy: Target weaker opponents, avoid unforced errors. • Review & Adjust: Record or reflect on games to spot areas for improvement. Drills: • Play games to 11. • Replay points that didn’t go well and adjust. • Serve placement practice. Next Steps: • Join a local ladder league or open play session. • Keep working on consistency and decision-making. • Try playing with and against better players to grow.

Lesson 4-10Section 3: Net Play & Consistency Goal: Develop control at the kitchen line and work on consistency. Focus Areas: • Volley Technique: Block vs punch volleys. • Dinking Consistency: Placement and patience. • Third Shot Drop: Learn to neutralize strong returns. • Communication (doubles): “Mine”, “yours”, and calling shots. Drills: • Volley vs groundstroke rally. • Cross-court dink rally. • Third shot drop drill (serve → return → drop → dink rally). Games: • Play mini games with focus on certain shots (e.g., only drops and dinks).

Lesson 2-3Section 2: Movement & Strategy Basics Goal: Improve footwork, positioning, and introduce shot variety. Focus Areas: • Footwork: Side shuffling, split step, moving to the kitchen line. • Transition Zone: Learn how to move up after returning serve. • Shot Types: • Drive: Low and fast groundstroke. • Drop Shot: Soft shot from back to kitchen. • Basic Strategy: • Serve deep. • Return deep and get to the net. • Dink to reset the pace. Drills: • Kitchen line movement drills. • Drop shot practice from transition zone. • Dink game to 11 (only dinks allowed).

Advanced training plan

Your first lessonFocus: Control, consistency, and soft game fundamentals. 1. Warm-Up (10 mins) • Cooperative dinking crosscourt & straight on • Volley exchanges at the net 2. Kitchen Game Mastery (20 mins) • Dink placement and angles • Push vs. slice vs. roll dinks • Dink battles: when to stay soft vs. speed up 3. Fast Hands & Reaction Drills (15 mins) • Volley-to-volley exchanges • Paddle positioning & ready stance • Slowing down the ball after a speed-up 4. Mini Game Play (15 mins) • Half-court dinking game • First to 7 points – must win on a dink or volley

Lesson 11+Lesson 4: Serve, Return, & Advanced Tactics Focus: Pressure from the start and strategic depth. 1. Serving Drills (10 mins) • Power serves, spin serves, short/deep placement • Serve + 5th shot drill 2. Return of Serve Strategy (10 mins) • Deep returns with directional intent • Using slice, topspin, or lob returns 3. Doubles Movement & Partner Communication (20 mins) • Stacking strategies • Poaching & switching responsibilities • Playing aggressive but smart 4. Match Play with Coaching (20 mins) • Play real points with partner rotation • Mid-point freeze to break down decisions

Lesson 4-10Lesson 3: Offensive Strategy & Attacking Play Focus: Creating and capitalizing on attackable balls. 1. Warm-Up with Purpose (10 mins) • Dinks with intention to attack • Shoulder-height volley exchanges 2. Speed-Up Mechanics (20 mins) • How to attack off a dink • Choosing when to go for it • Body positioning and paddle prep 3. Countering Attacks (15 mins) • Hands battles: soft block vs. punch volley • Resetting after getting jammed 4. Live Play Scenarios (15 mins) • Play points with “attack on 5” rule • Emphasis on offense and counter-play

Lesson 2-3Lesson 2: Third Shot Dominance Focus: Shot selection and transition tactics. 1. Warm-Up + Transition Zone Movement (10 mins) • Drop shot and approach drills • Mid-court resets in motion 2. 3rd Shot Drop & Drive (20 mins) • Drop technique from different depths • Situational drills: drop vs. drive decision-making • 3rd/5th/7th ball drill progression 3. Transition Drills (15 mins) • Advancing to the kitchen under pressure • Resetting against aggressive opponents 4. Situational Play (15 mins) • Serve → return → third shot execution • Coaching feedback between points

What you need to bringIf you have a paddle or ball you would like to bring please do! All you need to bring is your excitement for the game!

What I can bringI will bring a paddle for me and a paddle for my student. I will provide all balls.

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!

Pickleball with Ernest MillerNew to TeachMe.To

How it works

Get a free trial lesson with Ernest

Learn Pickleball with Ernest

Locations

Availability

Frequently asked questions

Can I have a free trial lesson? (HINT: YES!)

What if I don’t love my first lesson?

What if I have never played pickleball before?

How quickly can I expect to see improvement as a beginner?

How do I know which coach is right for me?

What can I expect during a typical lesson?

Is my lesson fully private?

How many lessons should I take?

How long are lessons?

Where do lessons take place?

Do I need my own paddle?

How do I book and what does it cost?

What happens after I book?

Can I take lessons with friends or family groups?

Cancellation Policy