Get a free trial lesson with Mario

Reviews

Total reviews3

Average rating

5.0

Lourdes

Level: Intermediate•Lessons taken: 1

I had the pleasure of taking an hour pickleball lesson with Mario and thoroughly appreciated how he broke down the drill we were doing and the why behind it. We then put it into practice in a game and you totally can see how we benefited from our lesson. He observed and pointed out where we could tweak our position or why we lost the point. Highly recommend taking a lesson and look forward to my next lesson!

Amanda

Level: Intermediate•Lessons taken: 1

I recently took a pickleball lesson with Mario, and it was a fantastic experience! Mario is not only knowledgeable about the game, but also incredibly patient and encouraging. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, he tailors the lesson to your level and learning style.

Jamie

Level: Intermediate•Lessons taken: 1

Mario is a great coach - kind and patient and focuses on exactly what you need to improve your game using fundamentals and extremely fun drills! Highly recommended for any level of player or even better a group of players!

Locations

These are the locations I've set as being able to provide lessons:

6 courts available

Backyard Oasis - Swim & Pickleball

4133 Roberts Rd, Grapevine, TX 76051, USA

922.2 miles away

Outdoors

View venue

The Bakers Acres

400 Anita Avenue, Keller, TX, USA

926.8 miles away

Outdoors

View venue

Backyard Regulation Pickleball Court

513 Woodland Trail, Keller, TX 76248, United States

927.2 miles away

Outdoors

View venue

Bear Creek Park

400 Bear Creek Park Rd, Keller, TX 76248, USA

927.2 miles away

Outdoors

View venue

⚠️

Northfield Park (tennis court)

Northfield Park, North Richland Hills, TX 76180

926.4 miles away

OutdoorsMay be unreliable

View venue

⚠️

Dove Park

1509 Hood Ln, Grapevine, TX 76051, USA

919.1 miles away

OutdoorsMay be unreliable

View venue

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

7 AM - 8 PM

tuesdays

7 AM - 8 PM

wednesdays

7 AM - 8 PM

thursdays

7 AM - 8 PM

fridays

7 AM - 8 PM

saturdays

7 AM - 8 PM

Beginner training plan

Your first lesson**Goal:** Understand the basic rules, court layout, equipment, and experience first hits. ### Objectives: * Learn the purpose of pickleball and what makes it unique. * Understand the parts of the court (baseline, NVZ/kitchen, service area). * Basic equipment overview (paddle, ball, shoes). * Learn grip: “Shake hands” grip. * Introduce ready position and basic footwork. * Forehand and backhand groundstrokes (gentle hitting back and forth). * Demonstrate underhand serve (not perfect yet—just exposure). * Play a cooperative rally (goal: 5–10 hits). ### Drills: * Drop and hit (self-feed forehands/backhands). * Partner rally: slow and controlled. * Target serve attempts into diagonal box.

Lesson 11+## 🟥 **Lesson 11+: Intermediate Growth & Strategy** **Goal:** Transition to more competitive play and develop strategic thinking. ### Objectives: * Master shot selection based on situation. * Mix up pace and spin intentionally. * Learn how to create and attack weak shots. * Read opponent positioning and tendencies. * Strategic use of lob, drive, and reset shots. * Transition seamlessly between offensive and defensive play. * Mental skills: staying calm, controlling tempo, partner support. ### Drills: * Pattern drills: drop → dink → attack. * Speed-up/slow-down transition games. * Lob and overhead defense practice. * Play-focused sessions with video or feedback. * Game scenario drills (e.g., 10–10 game point pressure). ### Optional: * Intro to stacking in doubles. * Advanced positioning like Erne or ATP shot awareness. --- ## 🔁 General Tips: * Use 10–15 min warm-up per session. * Start each new drill slow, then increase pace/intensity. * End most sessions with fun game play to apply skills. * Provide individual feedback when possible.

Pickleball with Mario T.New to TeachMe.To

How it works

Advanced training plan

Your first lesson## 🟩 **Lesson 1: Assessment & Skill Reinforcement (First Intermediate/Advanced Lesson)** **Goal:** Identify individual strengths/weaknesses and reinforce clean technique and smart shot selection. ### Objectives: * Evaluate player performance through controlled drills and short games. * Reinforce proper grips, paddle angles, footwork, and recovery. * Assess shot consistency: serve, return, 3rd shot drop, dinks, volleys. * Introduce concepts of “smart aggression” and shot patience. * Introduce tempo control and transition timing. ### Drills: * Serve + return + 3rd shot drop (cycle through all positions). * Dink consistency challenge (100 dinks, crosscourt & straight). * Paddle angle control (soft hands vs punch volleys). * Mini-game assessment to observe decision-making.

Lesson 11+## 🟥 **Lesson 11+: Competitive Strategy & Match Play Optimization** **Goal:** Develop tournament-ready play, advanced tactics, and mental toughness. ### Advanced Concepts: * **Situational Play**: * 10–10 drills: pressure serve/return. * Up by 2 / down by 2 strategy adaptations. * **Mental Game**: * Handling momentum swings. * Rebuilding confidence after mistakes. * **Advanced Doubles Communication**: * Non-verbal cues. * Split-step timing and synergy. * **Deception and Unpredictability**: * No-look dinks, disguised lobs, off-speed shots. * **Match Prep Routine**: * Warm-up, partner discussion, mindset checklist. ### Drills: * High-intensity point games (first to 5 rally wins). * Strategy games (e.g., lob-only points, no-drive games). * Simulated match play with coach feedback. * "Blind switch" drills where partners must adapt mid-point. * Challenge matches with video analysis.

Lesson 4-10## 🟧 **Lessons 4–10: Shot Selection, Pressure Play & Tactical Mastery** **Goal:** Elevate strategic play, pressure handling, and controlled aggression. ### Lesson Focus Areas (Progressed Over Sessions): 1. **Speed-Up Initiation & Countering** * When to attack from kitchen line. * Counter-attacks and resets. 2. **Lobs, Overheads, and Recovery** * Offensive and defensive lobs. * Reading lobs early and recovering to kitchen. 3. **Advanced 3rd & 5th Shot Options** * Drop, drive, or lob based on return. * Mixing pace and spin. 4. **Poaching & Erne Positioning** * Poaching timing and signals. * Movement drills for Erne execution. 5. **Stacking & Switching** * When and how to stack. * Practice switching mid-point and after serve. 6. **Shot Pattern Recognition** * Exploiting weak returns or poor positioning. * Building point with patterns: dink-dink-lob or drop-reset-speed-up. ### Drills: * Speed-up/counterattack rallies. * Shadow poaching + point simulation. * Overhead defense live drills. * Pattern drills: drop → dink → speed-up. * Stacking + live game rotation.

Lesson 2-3## 🟨 **Lessons 2–3: Consistency Under Pressure & Court Control** **Goal:** Improve consistency in transition areas and at the kitchen; introduce basic team strategies. ### Focus Areas: * **Third Shot Variations**: Drop, drive, and lob; read opponent positioning. * **Transition Game**: From baseline to NVZ under pressure. * **Dinking with Purpose**: Crosscourt control, redirection, and depth dinks. * **Communication & Coverage**: Handling middle balls and partner cues. ### Drills: * Crosscourt dink + speed-up + reset drill. * 3rd shot drop + transition volley + kitchen rally. * “Dead ball” recovery drill (one player plays a weak ball, partner recovers). * Serve + return + live rally to kitchen.

Youth players

Working with kidsThis pickleball lesson for kids and young children focuses on fun, movement, and basic paddle skills. Children will learn how to safely hold a paddle, tap the ball with control, and rally with a partner using balloons or foam balls to build hand-eye coordination. The lesson introduces simple court boundaries through games like “Line Tag” and teaches underhand serving and soft hitting through target challenges. Using fun, age-appropriate activities and plenty of encouragement, kids begin to understand teamwork, sportsmanship, and the joy of active play on the court.

Working with teenagersThis pickleball lesson for teenagers focuses on building foundational skills while keeping the energy fun and engaging. Teens will learn proper grip, basic strokes (forehand, backhand, and volleys), and the rules of serving and scoring through partner drills and mini games. Emphasis is placed on movement, positioning, and communication during doubles play, helping teens understand court strategy and teamwork. The session includes fast-paced rallies, target challenges, and short matches to develop consistency, confidence, and friendly competition in a supportive environment.

Pickleball with Coach Mario Talatala

Background checked

💰$38 weekly lessons

I bring an aggressive style of play to the game. Either by attacking or creating opportunities to end the point. I brought this mindset from a tennis background and incorporated this strategy to my Pickleball game since I started. I focus on helping players of all levels improve their technique, strategy, and confidence on the court. I am super passionate about helping players of all levels elevate their game. Through engaging drills and personalized instruction, I foster a fun learning environment that empowers you to reach your full potential on the court.

👋

Teaches: Kids, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors

🌱

Levels: Beginners, Intermediates

📍

Lives in: Grapevine, Texas

😊

Happy Student Score: Not available

🎓

Years Playing: 3 years

🔥

Given: 3 lessons

Accomplishments

🏓4.5 DUPR

🏅Experienced Player

Certifications & Badges

📝PPR Certified

Get a free trial lesson with Mario

Reviews

Locations

⚠️

⚠️

Availability

Frequently asked questions

Cancellation Policy

Pickleball with Coach Mario Talatala

Accomplishments

Certifications & Badges

Get a free trial lesson with Mario

Reviews

Locations

⚠️

⚠️

Availability

Frequently asked questions

Can I have a free trial lesson? (HINT: YES!)

What if I don’t love my first lesson?

What if I have never played pickleball before?

How quickly can I expect to see improvement as a beginner?

How do I know which coach is right for me?

What can I expect during a typical lesson?

Is my lesson fully private?

How many lessons should I take?

How long are lessons?

Where do lessons take place?

Do I need my own paddle?

How do I book and what does it cost?

What happens after I book?

Can I take lessons with friends or family groups?

Cancellation Policy

Pickleball with Coach Mario Talatala

Accomplishments

Certifications & Badges