Pickleball with Nick Coughlin
Background checked
⭑5.0 (33)
😊99
💰$49 weekly lessons
Hi, I'm Nick, your future Pickleball Coach. I have been coaching Pickleball for two years and continue to play at the 4.5+ level. With experience coaching a top high school Pickleball Team, as well as 7 years of babysitting experience and background as a Swim Instructor, I bring a wide array of skills to the table. What's unique about my coaching? Every lesson I conduct is tailor-made. I strive to understand what you want to achieve, ensuring that beginners grasp the basics and advanced players refine their shot selection. I bring unwavering energy and positivity that will keep our lessons both effective and fun. Let me teach you the game in a fun way. Let's advance your game to the next level!
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Teaches: Kids, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors
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Levels: Beginners, Intermediates, Experts
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Lives in: Arlington, Virginia
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Happy Student Score: 99
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Years Playing: Not specified
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Given: 77 lessons
Accomplishments
🏓4.555 DUPR
🏅Tournament Winner
🏅Experienced Player
➕Sponsored Selkirk player
Reviews
Total reviews33
Average rating
5.0
Paola G.Verified ✓
Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 17
I loved how fun the lesson with Nick was from start to finish. The pace kept me engaged, and the drills were enjoyable without feeling too challenging. If you’re curious about pickleball or want to improve your game in a relaxed setting, Nick’s sessions are definitely worth trying! You’ll have a great time learning and playing. 😊🏓
Anna U.Verified ✓
Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 13
Great lesson! Thanks Nick!
James H.Verified ✓
Level: Intermediate•Lessons taken: 8
I just had my first Pickleball lesson with Nick, and it was an amazing experience! Nick is a fantastic instructor – knowledgeable, patient, and full of positive energy. He took the time to explain the rules, techniques, and strategies in a way that was easy to understand for a beginner like me.
What stood out most was how encouraging and engaging Nick was throughout the lesson. He provided personalized tips to improve my grip, stance, and swing, and I noticed progress in just one lesson. The balance between instruction and actual play, made the lesson in both educational and fun.
Nick’s passion for Pickleball is contagious, and his enthusiasm made me feel confident and excited to keep learning. I can’t wait to book my next lesson and continue developing my skills. I highly recommend Nick to anyone looking to learn or improve their game!

Michele P.Verified ✓
Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 5
Nick is so fun, positive and makes plain Pickle Ball fun. He is very knowledgeable and makes learning something new a very good time. We will be using him in the future.
Alice K.Verified ✓
Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 1
I had a wonderful first lesson with Nick! From the very beginning, his communication was kind, clear, and professional. Before our session, he sent helpful information about what to expect, along with tutorial videos to prepare me in advance.
When we met, Nick was incredibly welcoming and came fully prepared with pickleball equipment and plenty of balls for practice. Throughout the lesson, he consistently gave me constructive feedback and really showed his expertise and command of the pickleball court.
The entire experience was fun, engaging, and motivating. Nick taught me essential techniques, explained the basic rules, and gave me useful tips on how to stay consistent with my practice. We even spent a good amount of time free playing, which was a great way to reinforce everything I’d learned.
After the lesson, he followed up with a detailed summary and encouraged me to continue with the sport — which I absolutely will. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to pickleball. Thank you, Nick!
Locations
These are the locations I've set as being able to provide lessons:4 courts available
Ft Scott Park
2800 Fort Scott Dr, Arlington, VA 22202, USA
326.7 miles awayOutdoors
Hayes Park
1516 N Lincoln St, Arlington, VA 22201, USA
323.5 miles awayOutdoors
Glebe Road Park
4211 N Old Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22207, USA
321.9 miles awayOutdoors
Lubber Run Community Center
300 North Park Drive
323.3 miles awayOutdoors
Want a lesson at your home or a different location? We can help.
Availability
These are the times I've set as being available for lessons.sundays
6 AM - 11 PM
mondays
6 AM - 11 PM
tuesdays
6 AM - 11 PM
wednesdays
6 AM - 11 PM
thursdays
6 AM - 11 PM
fridays
6 AM - 11 PM
saturdays
6 AM - 11 PM
Beginner training plan
Your first lessonFirst, we will do the Grip & Stance Drill (Shadow Swinging), where we discuss basic rules, strategy, stance, and grip and then practice all of them without balls. Next, we'll move to the Target Practice Drill (Ball Control), hitting the ball to a partner and aiming to keep it to a line on the court or a human target. Finally, we'll practice the Net Bounce Drill (Forehand/Backhand), hitting the ball over the net after one bounce, alternating between forehand and backhand shots.
Lesson 11+In this stage, we’ll refine all aspects of your game. Strategy, court positioning, and shot selection will take center stage as you integrate these skills into recreational games with other players. We’ll also tailor drills to address individual weaknesses or specific areas you want to strengthen, with opportunities to work on advanced techniques.
Lesson 4-10We will engage in the Transition Zone Drill, where we begin at the baseline and rally toward the net, stopping in the transition zone to practice controlled shots before advancing to the kitchen. We will then practice the Dinking Triangle Drill, setting up three cones in the kitchen and dinking in a triangular pattern with a partner. Following that, we'll focus on the Speed-Up & Reset Drill, practicing quick, aggressive shots from the kitchen line, followed by a soft reset to regain control. We'll also alternate between practicing lobs and overhead smashes with the Lob & Overhead Drill, using a partner or coach feeding balls. Additionally, we'll engage in the Serve & Return Deep Drill, practicing deep serves aiming for the back corners of the service box, and then have a partner return the serve deep toward the baseline, focusing on placing the ball in specific zones. Next, we'll do the Volley Battle Drill, standing at the kitchen line with a partner and volleying the ball back and forth without letting it bounce, aiming for controlled, consistent shots. Finally, we'll simulate a full game with the Game Simulation Drill, playing out full points starting with a serve and focusing on executing different skills from the lessons, such as volleys, dinks, and resets.
Lesson 2-3We will start with the Serve Spot Drill, practicing serves from different spots on the baseline and aiming to land the ball in various areas of the opposite service box. Then, we'll move to the Return Depth Drill, where a partner or coach serves to you, and you return the ball deep toward the baseline, aiming for a specific zone. Finally, we'll challenge ourselves with the Consistency Challenge Drill, rallying back and forth with a partner and aiming for a set number of consecutive shots over the net without errors.
Advanced training plan
Your first lessonWe will start by engaging in games like 7-11, Skinny Singles, and Tug of War. We will concentrate on drives, 3rd shot drops, and flicks.
Lesson 11+We will participate in local tournaments and strive to elevate your DUPR as much as possible. We will analyze and review match footage to identify areas for improvement. We will build strategies for maintaining composure and mental toughness during competitive matches. We will implement advanced shot variations, such as deceptive plays and misdirection shots, and develop advanced doubles strategies, including synchronized movements and poaching with your partner.
Lesson 4-10We will develop techniques to secure the net as the serving team and push back an advancing team. We will emphasize the transition game and work on topspin dinks, ATPs, drops, and ernes. We will master advanced serving techniques, focusing on placement and spin. We will incorporate firefights to improve reaction time and quick reflexes. We will also practice defensive lobs to reset the point when under pressure.
Lesson 2-3We will then focus on advanced net play techniques, including speed-ups, blocks, overheads, dinks, and lobs. We will dive into stacking and court coverage strategies. We will participate in Full Court Singles and Skinny Singles, and practice reset shots to manage control during intense rallies. We will enhance consistency and accuracy with cross-court dinks.
Youth players
Working with kidsFor kids, I’ll keep the lessons high-energy, fun, and sneaky productive. I’ll offer softer balls as an option while keeping it intense and fun! Most of the drills will feel like games — like “King of the Court” to work on rallying, “Beat the Coach” to practice consistency, and “Serve & Score” where they try to earn points by hitting targets. I’ll always demonstrate first so they can see the right form before trying, breaking everything down into simple steps. I’ll keep the pace quick to hold their attention, giving constant positive reinforcement — hyping up every effort with things like “Love that hustle!” or “You’re getting better every shot!” Even when they’re working on footwork, grips, and swing mechanics, they’ll feel like they’re just playing — building muscle memory, discipline, and confidence without even realizing it.
Working with teenagers For teenagers, I’ll focus on sharpening skills while building confidence. We’ll start with quick goal-setting and warm-ups like “Dink Battles” to lock in touch. I’ll run technical drills like “Third Shot Drop Challenges” and “Two-Touch Volleys” while breaking down strategy along the way. I’ll show them videos of teenage pros to motivate them and help them visualize what they could become. I’ll push them to stay focused and reset after mistakes, reminding them that consistency beats perfection. Every lesson will be about more than just pickleball — it’ll be about building a mindset they can carry into everything they do.
What you need to bringPlease come in attire suitable for sports that you’re okay with sweating in! For example: tennis shoes, pickleball, basketball shoes or any athletic shoes designed to support lateral movement and with grip for court play! If it is cold, bundle up! Bring a light athletic winter hat, layers of light jackets, athletic pants and sports gloves that maintain your dexterity and motor skills while keeping you warm. If it is warm out, make sure you bring sunscreen, sunglasses and clothes that will keep you cool. If you have your own paddle, bring it! If you don’t I can give you a paddle to borrow from a variety of options and perhaps even give you the opportunity to purchase a paddle!
What I can bringI can bring up to 40 pickleballs, a ball cart, up 2 extra pickleball paddles, a first aid kit and 30 cones for drilling/footwork.
What I will bring: positivity, expertise, a specifically tailored lesson, patience, and pickleball experience.
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!
NC
Pickleball with Nick C.⭑ 5.0 (33 reviews)