Get a free trial lesson with Rich

Reviews

Total reviews7

Average rating

5.0

Songie A.Verified ✓

Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 10

Verified ✓

What a solid lesson. Personal, practical feedback helped me lock in the basics and sharpen serves. I’m excited for the next session and to build on this progress. Lesson momentum feels real.

Tejaswini Y.Verified ✓

Lessons taken: 7

Verified ✓

I felt the lesson with Rich was quite good, especially since he has better plan than I can think of myself. The best teaching skills he demonstrated really helped me understand some key aspects of pickleball. Though I still need to practice more, I left feeling more confident about my game and look forward to improving further. If you're considering a lesson, I’d say give Rich a try to see what he can help you with.

Karen H.Verified ✓

Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 5

Verified ✓

The lesson with Rich was quite helpful, especially with small changes like how to hold the racket, ball while serving and following thru, which actually made a noticeable difference. Still looking forward to continued improvement in my forehand and backhand, but the guidance was pretty clear and practical. If you're into refining your pickleball skills, Rich’s instruction is definitely worth a try.

Donna W.Verified ✓

Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 5

Verified ✓

What stood out most were the very specific tips tailored for me, which made the lesson really useful. Rich’s guidance helped me focus on key areas to improve my game. If you want detailed advice to sharpen your pickleball skills, his lessons are definitely worth trying.

Pickleball with Rich H.⭑ 5.0 (7 reviews)

How it works

Beginner training plan

Your first lessonPRE-LESSON ASSESSMENT Each initial lesson begins with a brief player profile discussion to understand: -Athletic background and whether there is previous racquet/paddle sports experience -Pickleball objectives (recreation, social, exercise, competition) -Any physical limitations or concerns This profile assessment allows me to tailor instruction, draw connections to familiar movements, and set realistic goals for progress. FOUNDATION BUILDING Baseline Strokes (main focus) -Primary emphasis is to build consistent, confident forehand and backhand groundstrokes using my proven “touch point” system—simple, memorable cues that create early success and build confidence. TEACHING PHILOSOPHY Every beginning student should leave their first lesson able to rally and have fun with the ball—not frustrated by complex technique. We’ll build precision and power later: enjoyment and basic competency come first!

Lesson 2-3Lesson 2 and 3 BUILDING COURT SKILLS - Reinforce the baseline fundamentals from our first session -Focused repetition using the same memorable touch points -Increase consistency and continue to build muscle memory -Address any stroke adjustments needed SECOND HALF: Basic Volley Instruction -Transition to basic volley technique (hitting before the ball bounces) -Apply simple touch point cues for immediate success and confidence -Practice basic volley exchanges By the end of lesson 3 beginning students will have the fundamentals of the two essential skill sets that make pickleball enjoyable, and will be ready to move on to “dinking”—the third essential skill that tie groundstrokes and volleys together and round out the game of Pickleball!

Advanced training plan

Your first lessonIntermediate and advanced player sessions are built entirely on whatever the player(s) want to work on. Let me know what you want to improve or add to your game—I’ll provide the drills and skills to make it happen!

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!

Pickleball with Coach Rich Hughes

Background checked

⭑5.0 (7)

😊96

💰$45 weekly lessons

As a former USPTA teaching professional, I bring proven coaching expertise to the fast growing world of pickleball. My teaching philosophy centers on meeting each student exactly where they are—whether you’re picking up a paddle for the first time or looking to add a 3rd shot DRIP or backhand flick to your arsenal. I specialize in building solid fundamentals through proper stroke mechanics, but always at a pace that feels comfortable and encouraging. As a senior player myself, I understand the unique considerations that come with starting or improving later in life, though I genuinely enjoy working with players of every age and skill level. When you book with me, everything is taken care of—scheduled court time, plenty of balls, paddles (if needed), and a reserved space where we can focus entirely on your improvement without distractions. I enjoy group lessons, so book with one, two, or three friends and lower the price per student cost! I schedule lessons at the beautiful Dwight Davis Tennis Center in Forest Park, featuring twelve pickleball courts. I will teach at other locations if a court can be reserved and the student handles making the reservation.

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Teaches: Not specified

🌱

Levels: Not specified

📍

Lives in: St. Louis, Missouri

😊

Happy Student Score: 96

🎓

Years Playing: 5 years

🔥

Given: 27 lessons

Accomplishments

➕Former USPTA Club Tennis Professional, Member National Championsip College Team, Head College Tennis Coach

Get a free trial lesson with Rich

Reviews

Locations

Availability

Frequently asked questions

Cancellation Policy

Pickleball with Coach Rich Hughes

Accomplishments

Get a free trial lesson with Rich

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 Rich Hughes

Accomplishments