In this episode, Mark shares a real-world coaching experience that highlights a shockingly common oversight even experienced coaches make—failing to demonstrate drills. This episode dives deep into why clear, effective demonstrations are critical for coaching success, how to structure them, and what coaches should avoid at all costs. What you’ll learn: Why “saying” is never enough—show your drills How to demonstrate safely and effectively (belly button rule!) What makes a demo fail—and how to fix it Why match play ratings are flawed How PCI’s ratings system works (and why it’s more fair) Tips on managing “helpful” students and setting boundaries Should you ditch water breaks? Try the built-in hydration rotation strategy. Whether you're a seasoned instructor or new to teaching, this is a must-listen for leveling up your lessons.

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Pickleball Coaches podcast! In this episode, Mark Renneson discusses the importance of prioritizing tactics over technique in pickleball coaching, how to manage different skill levels in group lessons, and effective planning for private pickleball lessons. He also addresses the challenges of determining pricing for lessons and shares a quick tip on focusing on spaces rather than specific spots when setting targets for players.