I’ve had a very solid experience working with Derek over the past couple of years and would recommend him to anyone looking to improve their pickleball skills. I have personally taken private, semi-private, and group lessons with him and have referred about 10 friends and family who have all had an excellent experience taking lessons from him.

Derek is very technique-focused and identifies the adjustments needed to improve your current mechanics. He breaks down your strokes and footwork and explains the adjustments in an understandable way. For example, he will relate concepts to other racquet and non-racquet sports and uses those references to make things easier to understand and apply.

Derek also emphasizes shot selection to help you to think through points more strategically. He teaches various types of shots so that you may have the necessary tools available when faced with different balls. As part of his lesson, a point is usually played out with Derek feeding specific balls for the new shot/skill learned.

Derek is open to questions during and after lessons and provides drill homework so you have structure for practicing on your own. This makes it easier to keep improving between sessions.

Lastly, Derek is a very patient coach who understands that learning new skills can be uncomfortable and difficult. He adapts his coaching based on individual progress, encourages his students and is excited alongside us when any progress is made. With every lesson I take from Derek, my excitement for the sport is always elevated. Overall, I highly recommend Derek!

I started working with Derek because I’ve been wanting to progress toward a 4.0 level. I had also taken a few parks and rec pickleball classes which were fine but the private coaching lessons will elevate you much faster and efficiently. I really enjoy his coaching style and highly recommend him!

I feel fortunate to have found Derek as a coach. His knowledge of the sport – and the ability to explain it to a player with no ‘racquet’ experience – has been invaluable to me. I marvel at his ball-machine-like skills during drills: Whether you want to practice returning a top-spin dink, or drives hit at your feet in the transition zone, or high backhand volleys, or lobs . . . you name it, he will deliver it – and provide instant feedback and instruction. He is patient, but persistent – pushing you to improve beyond your comfort zone. I thoroughly enjoy our sessions, and highly recommend him if you are looking to improve your game – regardless of your current level.