Pickleball with Coach Tayler Roal
Background checked
⭑4.9 (7)
😊100
💰$50 weekly lessons
Hi, I'm Tayler! I'm a passionate pickleball coach and player dedicated to helping others fall in love with the game. With a background in community outreach and a strong work ethic, I bring energy, positivity, and fresh ideas to every lesson. Whether you're a beginner learning the basics or a player looking to level up, I focus on fundamentals, fun, and personal growth. Let's build confidence, improve your skills, and enjoy every minute 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: Neenah, Wisconsin
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Happy Student Score: 100
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Years Playing: Not specified
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Given: 25 lessons
Accomplishments
➕Travels to you
🏅Tournament Winner
➕First Aid Certified
Reviews
Total reviews7
Average rating
4.86
Ann S.Verified ✓
Level: Intermediate•Lessons taken: 13
We had a great lesson and we had the opportunity to get to know each other.
I look forward to more lessons with Taylor
Doris W.Verified ✓
Level: Intermediate•Lessons taken: 5
Love the different techniques get the ball over the net into the kitchen.
Cassandra S.Verified ✓
Lessons taken: 2
Tayler was prepared, explained things well, gave us good tips and knowledgeable. Highly recommend
Cindy S.Verified ✓
Lessons taken: 1
Excellent coach, prepared and positive. Excellent background, instruction and practice techniques. This review is from a retired professional basketball coach at middle school, high school and college levels.
Dr K.Verified ✓
Lessons taken: 1
Taylor was awesome!
Locations
These are the locations I've set as being able to provide lessons:7 courts available
Washington Park
631 Winneconne Ave, Neenah, WI 54956, USA
404.3 miles awayOutdoors
Smith Park
301 Park St, Menasha, WI 54952, USA
403.9 miles awayOutdoors
Verhagen Park
Verhagen Park, 829 W 3rd St, Kimberly, WI 54136, USA
404 miles awayOutdoors
Doty Park
701 Lincoln St, Neenah, WI 54956, USA
403.7 miles awayOutdoors
Telulah Park
1300 E Newberry St, Appleton, WI 54915, USA
405.1 miles awayOutdoors
Carter Woods Park
840 S Bluemound Dr, Appleton, WI 54914, USA
407.2 miles awayOutdoors
O'Hauser Park
1986 Oleary Rd, Neenah, WI 54956, USA
407 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
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 lessonHere’s what you can expect from your first pickleball lesson, especially if it's a beginner-friendly session:
🔹 1. Warm Welcome & Introduction
You’ll meet your instructor and any other participants.
Expect a quick overview of the lesson plan and goals.
🔹 2. Basic Rules & Court Layout
Learn the court zones: baseline, kitchen (non-volley zone), service areas.
Explanation of scoring, serves, and how a point is won.
🔹 3. Grip & Paddle Basics
How to hold the paddle properly (e.g. continental grip).
Proper stance and foot positioning for balance.
🔹 4. Essential Shots Practice
Serving: Underhand serve technique and rules.
Dinking: Soft shots near the net.
Volleying: Hitting the ball in the air.
Groundstrokes: Forehand and backhand from the baseline.
🔹 5. Movement & Footwork
Learn how to move efficiently around the court.
Drills to improve positioning and reaction time.
🔹 6. Mini Games or Rallies
Light gameplay to apply skills in real-time.
Focus is on learning, not competition.
🔹 7. Q&A and Feedback
Time to ask questions and get personalized pointers.
Instructor may offer tips to practice on your own.
✅ Tips to Get the Most Out of It
Wear court shoes and comfortable athletic clothing.
Bring water and a positive attitude.
Don't stress about mistakes—it's all part of learning!
Lesson 11+
🔥 Lesson 11 – Applying Advanced Strategy in Live Play
Goal: Blend all learned skills into intentional, strategic match play with live coaching.
🎯 Focus Areas:
Tactical play: Reading opponents, exploiting weaknesses
Shot selection under pressure: When to dink, drop, drive, or lob
Court control: Holding the kitchen line, transitioning smoothly
Mental game: Staying calm, adapting strategies mid-rally
🔁 Warm-Up (10–15 min)
Progressive rally:
Serve → return → drop → dink
Build into a live rally
Emphasis: footwork, paddle prep, controlled tempo
🧠 Coaching Drills (20–25 min)
Scenario play:
You’re down 6–8, side out — what’s the smart play?
Opponents are bangers — how do you reset?
Targeted drills:
Exploit opponent's backhand
Drive → drop → crash the net
🎮 Live Game Play (20–30 min)
Round robin or rotating teams
Coach pauses and corrects mid-play if needed
Keep score to simulate tournament pressure
📝 Post-Play Review (5–10 min)
What went well?
What to work on next (e.g. consistency, faster reactions, better resets)?
Homework: practice specific shot (e.g. 100 dinks/day)
Lesson 4-10Mastering the Third Shot Drop
Goal: Introduce and refine the third shot drop, a critical transition play.
What it is: Soft shot from baseline that lands in the kitchen
Technique: Paddle angle, lift from legs, arc and depth control
Drills:
Drop shot feeding drills
Partner rally: third shot drop then approach the net
Game focus: Start points with serve → third shot drop practice
🔁 Lesson 5 – Resetting & Defensive Skills
Goal: Learn how to regain control during fast exchanges.
Skills:
Resetting hard shots from midcourt
Blocking at the net (paddle angle & soft hands)
Backswing control
Drills:
Block vs. drive
Midcourt reset feeds
Pressure drills at the kitchen line
🧠 Lesson 6 – Shot Variety & Placement
Goal: Move beyond basics into strategic shot selection.
Introduce: Topspin drives, lobs, purposeful placement
Concepts: Hitting to opponent’s feet, behind movement
Drills:
Target zones on court
Deep serve + drop/dink combo
Lob retrieval and counter
🗣️ Lesson 7 – Doubles Team Dynamics
Goal: Focus on partner communication and court coverage.
Concepts:
Moving as a unit ("tethered" movement)
Calling shots and positioning
Drills:
Shadow footwork
Doubles mini-games
“Forehand takes middle” rule practice
🧱 Lesson 8 – Building Rallies & Strategy
Goal: Combine strokes into smooth rallies and point construction.
Drills:
Serve → return → drop → dink → volley progression
Controlled rally play
Concepts:
Patience in dink rallies
Forcing errors vs. going for winners
🌀 Lesson 9 – Pressure Situations & Mini Tournaments
Goal: Build mental toughness and play under pressure.
Games:
King/Queen of the Court
First to 5 points scenarios
Focus:
Composure, focus, smart shot decisions
Adjusting strategy mid-game
🏁 Lesson 10 – Skill Assessment & Game Play
Goal: Review skills, celebrate progress, and play full games.
Warm-up drills: all core shots
Challenge: full rally with third shot drop requirement
Play:
Doubles round robin or mini-tourney
Coach feedback on decision-making, shot quality, teamwork
Optional: performance review, what's next (e.g. intermediate ladder, local rec league)
Lesson 2-3Lessons 2 and 3 typically build on the basics from Lesson 1 and begin introducing strategy, consistency, and movement skills. Here's what you or your student can expect:
🎾 Lesson 2 – Sharpening the Fundamentals
Focus Areas:
Refining technique: More reps on serves, returns, dinks, and volleys
Footwork drills: Moving to and from the kitchen, sidestepping, split steps
Consistency: Developing a rally mindset — keep the ball in play
Transition game: Learn to move from the baseline to the net effectively
Intro to soft game: More focus on controlled dinks and drop shots
Common Drills:
Serve + return with movement to net
Crosscourt dink rallies
Drop shot to kitchen practice
Mini games with rules emphasis (e.g., double bounce rule)
🧠 Lesson 3 – Strategy and Court Awareness
Focus Areas:
Shot selection: When to dink, drive, or drop
Court positioning in doubles: Working with a partner, communication
Building points: Setting up shots, not just reacting
Defensive skills: Resetting, blocking, and handling fast balls
Common Drills:
Third shot drop development
Partner movement at the net
Live rally drills with feedback
Serve + transition into soft game
Youth players
Working with kidsAdapting pickleball lessons for kids is all about making the game fun, engaging, and accessible. Here's a breakdown of how to do that:
✅ 1. Keep It Fun and Fast-Paced
Use games and challenges instead of long drills.
Example: “King/Queen of the Court” or “Target Zone” with cones.
Celebrate effort over performance.
Keep activities short (5–10 minutes max) to match their attention span.
✅ 2. Simplify Instructions
Use clear, simple language.
Instead of "forehand volley technique," say, “Hit it like a pancake flip!”
Show more than you tell.
Use demonstrations and visuals.
✅ 3. Use Kid-Friendly Equipment
Use:
Lighter paddles
Foam or slower balls (like foam tennis balls or pickleballs with less bounce)
Lower nets if needed
Mark boundaries with cones or colorful tape to make court size smaller.
✅ 4. Break Down Skills
Introduce one simple concept per session:
Holding the paddle like shaking hands.
Tapping the ball up in the air.
Bumping the ball over the net (drop and hit).
Movement and positioning using games like “shadow the coach.”
✅ 5. Gamify Learning
Create point systems, mini prizes, or fun themes (pirate pickleball, space serve mission).
Use team formats so kids cheer each other on.
Have a “skill of the day” challenge at the end.
✅ 6. Be Patient and Encouraging
Always reinforce effort, sportsmanship, and improvement.
Be flexible—if one drill isn’t working, switch it up.
Encourage laughter and fun over strict technique at this age.
Sample Lesson Plan for Kids (Ages 6–10)
Time: 45–60 minutes
Warm-Up Game – “Freeze tag” with paddles (5 min)
Paddle Control Drill – Bounce ball on paddle (5 min)
Partner Rally – Tap ball back and forth over net (10 min)
Serve Practice – Underhand serve to cone targets (10 min)
Mini Game – 2v2 with smaller court (15 min)
Cool Down – Group stretch and highlight everyone’s effort (5 min)
Working with teenagersAdapting pickleball lessons for teenagers means striking the balance between fun, challenge, and skill development. They're old enough for real technique but still want to enjoy and compete. Here's how to do it effectively:
🔧 How to Adapt Pickleball Lessons for Teenagers
✅ 1. Make It Social & Competitive
Teenagers respond well to friendly competition.
Use mini-tournaments, king/queen of the court, or rally streak challenges.
Mix in partner drills to build camaraderie and make lessons more fun.
✅ 2. Teach Real Technique, But Keep It Engaging
They’re ready for:
Proper grip, stance, and swing mechanics
Basic strategy (dinking, 3rd shot drop, positioning)
Still break things down step-by-step, but with game-based drills that show why it matters.
What you need to bringBring plenty of water and dress comfortably
What I can bringI can bring extra paddle if needed. I have plenty of pickleballs and a hopper to pick up the balls with overflow balls also.
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!
TR
Pickleball with Tayler R.⭑ 4.9 (7 reviews)