Pickleball Coaches Podcast with Mark Renneson

Pickleball Coaches Podcast #9 - Is Trash Talking Ruining Pickleball?

In Episode 9 of the Pickleball Coaches Podcast, host Mark Renneson tackles the rising trend of "trash talking" in the professional and amateur game. Are we competing against each other, or striving together? Mark shares three powerful reasons why less is more when it comes to "smack talk" and why acting like "you’ve done it before" is the ultimate power move on the court. Later in the episode, we dive into the Mailbag to answer three critical coaching questions: Motivation (07:18 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKrd1Bkm2Xc&t=438s]): How do you make players care about technique? (Hint: Stop burying the lead!) Player Assessments (10:42 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKrd1Bkm2Xc&t=642s]): Dealing with the "delusional" player who thinks they are a 5.0 but plays like a 3.0. Youth vs. Adult Coaching (14:35 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKrd1Bkm2Xc&t=875s]): The key differences between teaching kids and adults (and why you should stop talking about "perpendicular angles" to 7-year-olds). RESOURCES MENTIONED: * PCI Rating Assessment Tools: Get objective data on your skills. Coaching Certification: Visit pcipickleball.com [http://pcipickleball.com] to become a certified instructor. * Kids Coaching: Search "Teaching Pickleball to Kids" on Selkirk TV for Mark’s full video series. WANT YOUR QUESTION ANSWERED? Email us at info@pickleballcoachinginternational.com [info@pickleballcoachinginternational.com]

Pickleball Coaches Podcast #8 - When NOT to Coach: Silence, Ball Machines, Player Anxiety & Burnout

Coaching isn’t just about what you say—it’s about knowing when to say nothing. In this episode, Mark Renneson tackles three moments when silence helps your players more than feedback, how to decide if a ball machine is worth it (and when it isn’t), what to do when a player melts down in matches but shines in practice, and how many hours on court is too many for a coach without compromising lesson quality. 🎯 What you’ll learn The 3 situations where great coaches keep quiet Ball machines: smart uses vs. false confidence Helping a player who chokes—reframing identity & reducing fear A practical test for coach workload (so hour 7 looks like hour 1)

Pickleball Coaches Podcast #7 - Why Pickleball Coaching Needs to Stop Copying Tennis

Are pickleball coaches just recycling old tennis drills? 🤔 In this episode, Mark Renneson breaks down why pickleball deserves its own approach — from drills and tactics to player communication and session design. Mark shares what he learned at a recent racket sports conference — and why so many so-called “new” pickleball drills are actually 25-year-old tennis drills in disguise. You’ll learn: * The key differences between tennis and pickleball coaching 🎾 * How to improve communication with players before, during, and after sessions 💬 * The best way to handle refund requests and customer satisfaction 💸 * How to make your drills easier or harder for players 🔥 * Why adult warm-ups should be handled differently than kids’ sessions 🏃

Pickleball Coaches Podcast #6 - The 3 Biggest Mistakes New Pickleball Coaches Make

In this episode of the Pickleball Coaches Podcast, Mark Renneson breaks down the three most common struggles new coaches face during instructor certification: * Saying & Showing – Why demonstrating a drill while narrating is harder than it looks. * Terminology Traps – How inconsistent language across the pickleball world confuses coaches and players. * Playing & Coaching at the Same Time – Why it’s so challenging for instructors to join in while still giving quality feedback. * Plus, Mark answers listener questions about drills for different skill levels, recording lessons, in-person certification, and how to keep players motivated. Whether you’re a new instructor or a seasoned coach, these tips will help you deliver better lessons and grow as a leader on the court.

Pickleball Coaches Podcast #5 - Why Great Coaches Should Rethink “Down the Middle” Serve Returns

Coaches, it's time for a rethink. In Episode 5 of the Pickleball Coaches Podcast, Mark Renneson challenges one of the most common pieces of coaching advice: returning serve down the middle. 🚫 Is it really helping your players? 🤔 Should we still be using the “margin for error” argument? 🎯 What if we’re just feeding the other team’s best player over and over again? Mark breaks down why this strategy might be outdated, offers smarter alternatives, and walks through critical dos and don’ts when teaching new players in their first 20 minutes on court. From rally-building to safety tips, from technique pacing to using throw pickleball, this episode is a must for anyone helping beginners fall in love with the game. 📌 Topics Covered: * Why “down the middle” returns fail * Strategic return placement in mixed and equal skill matches * The “Black Hole” return drill * 6 mistakes to avoid with beginners * What to focus on in your first 20 minutes * Throw pickleball: your new favorite tool