Q1) What is your coaching philosophy?
Train to play and not play to train.
Q2) How do you structure your lessons i.e. what can a student expect during a typical coaching session with you?
It usually depends on the student’s needs, but I typically have a plan in mind for them. I was once told that if a coach asks a student what he or she wants to work on for the day, the coach may not be doing a good enough job planning the lesson. However, sometimes that question is unavoidable and can provide useful insight into the student’s concerns.
A typical lesson begins with some warm-up dinking drills. We then move into the main part of the session, where we focus on two to three key areas for improvement. To wrap up, we’ll play some skinny singles or mini games, allowing the student to apply and reinforce the skills we worked on during the session.
Q3) What is a non-negotiable Pickleball stroke/skill that you believe every student must/should learn and master?
I’m greedy so I’ll choose two. Not so much strokes, but skills: court positioning and shot selection. If you can get both right, you’ll become a good Pickleball player very quickly.
Q4) How do you maintain patience with students who may take longer to grasp concepts? Would you tell a student that Pickleball may not be for him/her?
I think about the money they’re paying me. HAHAHA! (Just kidding… but there’s some truth to it.)
They’ve trusted me with both their time and money, so I make sure I deliver. If they need more time to learn a skill, so be it. Eventually, they’ll get it.
I always like to tell my students, “If after 3 to 6 months of serious training and drilling you’re still not getting better, go play chess!” said jokingly, of course.
In all seriousness, if a student is willing to put in the work consistently, improvement is almost inevitable.
Q5) Tell us about a rewarding/memorable moment where a student of yours made you proud?
I don’t gauge success by winning medals. Instead, I measure success by my students telling me that they were able to execute the shots, techniques, or skills they learned during training in actual games.
I have one student who came to me claiming he was a 4.0 player. After the initial assessment, however, he admitted that he might have overestimated himself. His forehand drives were decent, but he didn’t have a reliable backhand drive.
As we continued working together, I felt it was time for him to learn the two-handed backhand drive. After a few months of coaching, I noticed that his two-handed backhand drive had actually become better than his forehand drive. Curious, I asked him what he had been doing differently.
He told me that he had been using the stroke regularly in his recreational games. He didn’t care whether he won the point or not; what mattered most was that he looked for opportunities to execute the shot whenever he could.
To me, that’s what progress looks like, having the confidence to trust the process, apply what you’ve learned, and continue improving through repetition and experience.
Q6) What advice would you give Pickleball enthusiasts who may be considering Coaching as a side-hustle or a full-time gig?
Go and get at least one coaching certification. You’ll meet other coaches and aspiring coaches, giving you opportunities to exchange ideas and learn from one another.
🎓 Coaching Qualifications/Certifications:
IPTPA Level 1
RPO Level 1
Currently undergoing COEBRA Program, an elite Pickleball coach development and certification program led by Collin Johns
Years of Playing Pickleball: 5 years
Years of Coaching: 2 years
🏆 Accolades / Medals / Awards Won:
2025 Singapore Open
2nd, 35+ Men’s Doubles
2nd, 35+ Mixed Doubles
2025 The Grand Pickleball Master Malaysia
4th in Team Event
PPA Tour Asia Panas Malaysia Open 2025
4th, 35+ Men’s Singles >3.5
Pickle Fun Open 2025
2nd, Open Men’s Doubles
PPA Tour Asia Malaysia Cup 2025
4th, 35+ Men’s Singles >3.5
2024 Singapore Open
Champion, 35+ Men’s Singles
3rd/4th, Open Men’s Singles
3rd/4th, 35+ Mixed Doubles
3rd/4th, Open Mixed Doubles
3rd/4th, Open Men’s Doubles
2024 Singapore Pickleball International Exchange
2nd, Team Event
4th, Open Men’s Singles
Asia Pickleball Games 2024 @ Taichung
2nd, 19+ Men’s Doubles 4.0
2023 Singapore Open
3rd/4th, Men’s Singles Open
3rd/4th, Men’s Doubles Open
2023 Pesta Sukan
3rd/4th, Men’s Singles (Open)
Asia Pickleball Games 2023 @ Taichung
Bronze, 35+ Team Event
2023 Skechers Invitational
3rd/4th, Men’s Doubles
3rd/4th, Mixed Doubles
2022 ActiveSG Quarterly Competition
Champion, Men’s Singles 19+ R4.5
2022 Singapore International Pickleball Exchange
2nd Runner-up, Men’s Singles Open R3.5+
2022 Pesta Sukan
2nd Runner-up, Men’s Singles 19+ Advanced
Show Less ↑