# What Is the Best Way to Learn Pickleball in Paso Robles? > What is the best way to learn pickleball? Coach Anthony Nicastro shares a clear plan, local courts in Paso Robles and Atascadero, and pricing for lessons. - Published: September 27, 2026 - Author: Anthony Nicastro, Pickleball coach in Paso Robles, California Source: https://sites.coach/anthony-nicastro/blog/what-is-the-best-way-to-learn-pickleball If you are asking what is the best way to learn pickleball, here is my short answer: combine short, focused drills with consistent play and immediate feedback, twice a week to start. I am Anthony Nicastro, and I teach on real courts in Paso Robles and Atascadero, where I help players build solid foundations that hold up in real games. ## The Fast Track: How I Get New Players Up To Speed In your first few sessions, I focus on three pillars: clean contact, reliable placement, and confident footwork to the non-volley zone. We start with a simple warmup that gets your timing and footwork in sync, then we work a short menu of drills that translate into game wins. I keep each drill to 6-10 minutes so you learn fast without getting stuck. I fell in love with pickleball 6 years ago and I have progressed to the point of placing in and winning tournaments over the last two years. My background in basketball and tennis means I pay close attention to footwork and hand-eye coordination, because they turn technique into repeatable results. ## What Should a Beginner Practice First in Paso Robles? If you are new, do not start by ripping drives. Start with these basics: - Toss-fed dinks from the kitchen line, forehand and backhand, 20 balls each. Focus on a relaxed grip and a quiet wrist. - Third-shot drops from the transition zone, not the baseline. Work your way back 2 feet at a time as your touch improves. - Controlled serves to deep targets, 10 to the backhand corner, 10 to the body, 10 to the forehand corner. Prioritize depth over power. - Split step timing. Say "bounce-hit" out loud as you track the ball. Land your split as the opponent strikes the ball. We can run these at Centennial Park (Tennis Court) in Paso Robles or Sherwood Park (tennis court), where the lines and space make it easy to keep targets consistent. ## My Core Drill Progression On Local Courts Here is how I structure a 60-minute block at Heilmann Regional Park in Atascadero or at Centennial Park in Paso Robles: - Warmup rally, 5 minutes: cooperative dinks and volleys to wake up your hands. - Accuracy ladder, 10 minutes: two cones on each sideline at the kitchen. Hit 5 forehands and 5 backhands into each gate before you advance. - Third-shot build, 15 minutes: I feed from the opponent’s baseline. You hit a drop, move through the transition zone, reset a block, then finish with a volley to a corner target. - Serve and third-shot pair, 10 minutes: Serve deep, I return crosscourt, you execute a drop or a slow roll, then we play the point out. - Pressure resets, 10 minutes: I speed the ball up at you at the kitchen. Your job is to block with a soft, slightly open face back into the kitchen. - Short points live, 10 minutes: First to 7. We emphasize smart selection, not hero shots. This rhythm keeps you learning without burning out your arm, and it mimics the patterns you see in real games around Paso Robles. ## How Often Should You Play Pickleball Each Week To Improve? For most players I coach, two focused sessions per week is the sweet spot. One session is drill heavy, one is game heavy with specific goals. If you have a third day, make it light and fun, like serves and returns plus a few games. Consistency builds touch much faster than occasional marathons. If time is tight, do 15-minute home sessions: shadow footwork, paddle taps against a wall, and 30 smooth service motions without a ball. Small, steady reps add up. ## Footwork That Makes Everything Easier As a former basketball and tennis player, I teach footwork first because it turns stress into time. Three keys: - Split step on every opponent contact. Land balanced, then move. - Side-shuffle to hold your line at the kitchen. Avoid crossing your feet when you defend. - Recover to neutral. After every shot, get back to a stance with your paddle at chest height and your hips square to the ball. We build these habits at Sherwood Park or Centennial Park with simple patterns and a metronome-like cadence. When your feet are quiet and your paddle is up, you win hands battles you used to lose. ## Should You Learn Singles Or Doubles First? Around Paso Robles, most rec play is doubles, so I start there. Doubles teaches patience, resets, and court positioning. Singles is great for movement and conditioning, and I add it once your touch is reliable. If you already have a tennis background, we can mix singles earlier, but the same foundations apply: depth on serve and return, a quality third ball, and a calm block when pressured. ## The Serve, Return, And Third Ball: A Simple Game Plan You do not need a trick serve to win more points. You need depth and consistency. - Serve: Aim deep middle first. A deep serve buys you time and reduces sharp angles against you. - Return: Make every return deep and through the middle. Follow your ball in, but pause at the transition zone if you hit it short. - Third ball: If the return is deep, use a drop or a soft roll, and move together to the kitchen line. If the return is short, drive through the middle body line, then be ready to reset. We repeat this simple plan until it is automatic, because predictable patterns free you up to think clearly under pressure. ## What Gear Do You Actually Need? You do not need the latest paddle to learn fast. Wear court shoes with good lateral support, bring water, and bring an open mind. I have plenty of balls and extra paddles. If this is something you need, please let me know and I will do my best to provide a paddle that suits your game. That way we can test what feels right for your swing before you spend money. ## Where We Train In Paso Robles And Atascadero I teach in real local spots so you can practice where you play: - Centennial Park (Tennis Court), Paso Robles: Consistent bounces and space for targets and footwork ladders. - Sherwood Park (tennis court), Paso Robles: Great for serve and third-shot patterns in quieter blocks. - Heilmann Regional Park, Atascadero: Convenient for players coming from the south side of town, with room for live point play. Working in familiar venues makes it easier to repeat the exact drills on your own between lessons. ## Video And Feedback: The Multiplier Most Players Skip One quick way to accelerate learning is to record 10 minutes of your more competitive play. Christian said, "He helped me analyze this film and seeing what I was doing wrong and having a plan to correct it made all the difference." We look for simple patterns: late contact, floating returns, drifting feet, or a paddle dropping below the ball in hands battles. Fixing a single recurring mistake can lift your entire level. ## How I Structure Lessons And Pricing If you want structured help, I coach on court, not online. My lessons are hands-on and built around your goals. - Standard rate: $60 per lesson. - 60-minute private lesson: $70 for one hour of one-on-one pickleball built around your goals. Most players start with a 60-minute private so we can benchmark your serve, return, third ball, and kitchen play. After that, we decide whether you need more reps on touch, more confidence in hands battles, or more clarity in shot selection. Madison shared, "His rates were fair and he was very patient with us," and Elisabeth added, "We felt our game improve almost immediately as well." ## What Is The Best Way To Learn Pickleball If You Already Play Another Sport? Transfer what you already do well, then adjust for pickleball’s timing and space. Tennis players usually have strong contact and depth but need softer hands and shorter swings at the kitchen. Basketball players pick up court awareness and footwork fast, then refine paddletechnique and reset touch. We keep your strengths and layer in the specific shots and rhythms that win points on local courts. ## Common Mistakes I Fix In The First Two Lessons - Chasing speed-ups with more speed. Instead, block soft and low through the kitchen. - Returning short. Aim deep middle and take your time on setup. - Backing off the kitchen line after contact. Hold your ground unless you have to defend a lob. - Overcooking drives on short returns. Drive through the body, then be ready to reset. - Dropping the paddle after contact. Keep it up at chest height between shots. Cleaning up these habits stabilizes your game quickly. ## How I Use Goals To Make Practice Stick Every lesson ends with one or two clear objectives you can repeat on your own. For example: 50 deep serves, 40 controlled returns to the backhand corner, 30 third-shot drops from midcourt, and 5 minutes of paddle-up shadow shuffles. Track your reps for two weeks. If you stay consistent, you will feel the difference in pressure moments. ## Does Taking Lessons Really Help, Or Should I Just Play More? Both help, but they work differently. Unstructured play gives you volume, while targeted coaching reduces wasted reps and bad habits. A single hour with an outside eye can change how you move, aim, and choose shots. That is why when people ask me what is the best way to learn pickleball, I say: blend short drills, regular play, and immediate feedback so you improve on the exact mistakes that cost you points. ## FAQ ### How much do pickleball lessons cost in Paso Robles? My standard rate is $60 per lesson. I also offer a 60-minute private lesson at $70 for one hour of one-on-one coaching built around your goals. If you are unsure which option fits, bring your questions to our first call and we will pick the right plan. ### Where do you teach pickleball lessons in Paso Robles or nearby? I teach at Centennial Park (Tennis Court) and Sherwood Park (tennis court) in Paso Robles, and at Heilmann Regional Park in Atascadero. These locations let us run consistent drills and live play so you can practice the exact same patterns on your own. ### Do you provide paddles and balls for beginners in Paso Robles? Yes. I have plenty of balls and extra paddles. If you need a paddle, let me know and I will do my best to provide one that suits your game so you can try gear before you buy. ### How long does it take to see improvement with lessons? Many players feel a difference in one or two sessions because we target high-impact fixes like footwork, depth, and resets. Real consistency comes from two focused sessions per week for a few weeks. We set simple at-home reps so your progress keeps building between lessons. ### Do you offer online pickleball lessons, or only in person? I teach in person only. The fastest improvements come from live feedback on your timing, footwork, and paddle angle, and our local courts in Paso Robles and Atascadero are perfect for that. If you are ready to make real progress on the courts you already play, book a lesson. Show up ready to learn and have fun, and I will bring the plan and the balls. ## Links - [Read this post on the site](https://sites.coach/anthony-nicastro/blog/what-is-the-best-way-to-learn-pickleball) - [All posts](https://sites.coach/anthony-nicastro/blog/index.md) - [Anthony Nicastro](https://sites.coach/anthony-nicastro) - [Anthony Nicastro as Markdown](https://sites.coach/anthony-nicastro/index.md)