Private Pickleball Lessons & Coaches in Antioch, CA

I’m Carmen—a pro pickleball coach and fierce competitor, proud founder of Carmen Sanz Pickleball Club, and the first Certified PPR Pro Coach in our region. With six-plus years competing on the PPA and APP tours and over 50 medals in 5.0 and Open divisions, I combine high-level experience, strategic insight, and boundless enthusiasm in every session. Whether you’re picking up a paddle for the first time or chasing advanced tactics, my mission is to spark your “aha” moments. In my high-energy, inclusive environment, you’ll get tailored feedback, proven drills, and the support of a vibrant community, all designed to help you sharpen your skills, deepen your love for the game, and conquer your pickleball goals. I can't wait to meet you in the court!!

"I loved how Coach Carmen is a true professional and a master of pickleball. She offers clear guidance and insightful feedback that really helps you grow as an athlete. The lesson was engaging and supportive. If you're looking to improve your game, Carmen’s lessons are definitely worth trying! 😊

I'm Coach Darren and I specialize in improving skills through targeted drills with a pickleball machine. My focus is on addressing weaknesses and specific shots such as more consistent and powerful backhands, hitting speedups and defending them, third shot drops, topspin rolls, resets, countering slices and dinking and flicks. By emphasizing technique and repetition, I help players improve their confidence on the shots, reduce errors and win more.

"Darren was very encouraging & patient with repeating instructions. We appreciate his insight into the game as well since we came in no knowing anything other than a desire to try something new!

Ever thought mastering a new skill could be fun and engaging? As an experienced pickleball player with 10 years of coaching experience, I'm passionate about helping players of all levels reach their full potential in a supportive and encouraging environment. I bring a wealth of knowledge from my years playing at a competitive level and a genuine love for sharing the joy of pickleball with others. Let's work together to elevate your game!

Embracing the exciting world of pickleball is a journey best shared! As a tournament winner with 7 years of coaching experience, I bring a winning spirit and tactical knowledge to every lesson. Let's elevate your game together!

With three years of guiding players of beginner, I foster a supportive environment to unlock your pickleball potential. As an experienced player, I bring a strategic understanding and passion for the game to every lesson. Let's elevate your skills and enjoyment on the court!

"Sandy's lesson was quite helpful, especially in refining my shot techniques, though I still need to work on my footwork. The focus on proper paddle grip and stance was pretty good and gave me some new insights. I’m looking forward to building on what I learned and hope future lessons will include more personalized feedback. If you're into pickleball and want a measured, well-paced lesson, Sandy's worth trying.

I’m certified to teach Pickleball and have taught at Paragon Pickleball, Lafayette Tennis Club, and Roundhill Country Club. With over 4,000 hours dedicated to the sport and a 5.4 DUPR rating from more than 250 matches recorded, I bring extensive experience and expertise to my coaching.

"Francesco’s approach really resonates with me and his philosophy kind of sticks with you. I’d be interested in more of the same kind of lessons, I feel like there’s a lot more to learn and it’s been quite helpful so far.

Certified Pickleball Coach, RPPk & ICI Walnut Creek, CA (Private Court) James Tucker is a certified pickleball coach based in Walnut Creek, CA, with a lifelong passion for racquet sports. He began playing tennis at age six and competed in USTA singles and doubles for many years before discovering his love for pickleball and padel. James now offers private coaching on a dedicated court and can organize games for players of all skill levels. Whether you're new to the game or looking to refine your technique, James provides personalized instruction and strategy tailored to help you improve fast. Certified through DUPR, Tyson McGuffin’s program, RPPk (The Registry of Pickleball Professionals), and the International Coaches Institute (ICI), James has trained under some of the most respected organizations in the sport. The coaching methods he applies have been used to develop elite racquet sport athletes worldwide. In addition to on-court coaching, James is available to support your tournaments and offers game analysis using video review to identify areas for improvement. His coaching style blends proven technique with enthusiasm and strategic insight, making him a trusted resource for anyone serious about elevating their pickleball game.

This is Roger Lee.  I am a PPR certified coach and teaching pro at Crow Canyon Country Club where I lead the pickleball programming organizing clinics and skills and drills workshops, and pickleball social activities. Because there is such a large demand for training, I also lead the “Train the Trainer” sessions to teach new coaches.  I grew up playing tennis through high school and college, played racquetball competitively afterwards, but have really enjoyed playing and teaching Pickleball. I promote pickleball everywhere I go across the US, and in countries that have never seen a pickleball like parts of Uganda and Kenya.  With eight years of coaching experience and a National Medalist title, I'm dedicated to helping you excel in pickleball. I offer tailored coaching to unlock your potential while fostering a fun, supportive learning environment. Let's elevate your game together!

When I picked up a paddle just 2.5 years ago, I had zero athletic background. No tennis, no racquetball, nothing. It was just me, a paddle, and the curiosity to see what this “pickleball game” was all about. Fast forward to today, and I’m now a 5.0+ DUPR rated player who has medaled in 14 out of 15 tournaments, including the PPA Tour. My most recent win was achieving gold at the 5.0 level. What sets me apart isn’t just the wins—it’s how I got there. I broke my left hand three years ago (yep, the one I use for everything), so I taught myself to play right handed. The result? I became a true two sides of the court player with a special knack for left side dominant play. Combine that with my experience partnering with left handed players, and I can give you unique strategies for lefty/righty pairings that most coaches are not aware of and never even considered. What I Specialize In: * Tournament Prep & Strategy – Building confidence through mental game prep, match tactics, and step-by-step planning. * Aggressive Topspin 3rd Shot Drops – Turning defense into offense is my bread and butter. Getting to the kitchen after the serve is my specialty * Two Handed Cross Court Dinks – Achieving consistency while adding aggressive top spin. * Left Side Domination & Partner Play – Maximizing strengths in duos with unique strategy. Especially powerful with lefty/righty duos. Why Work With Me? I know what it’s like to start from scratch and grind it out. I’ve built my game shot by shot, drill by drill, laugh by laugh. Now, I’m ready to share that journey with players of all levels—whether you’re picking up a paddle for the first time or gearing up for your next gold medal run. Pickleball is competitive, yes—but it’s also fun. With me, you’ll learn the strategies, level up your skills, and maybe even laugh at my bad jokes while doing it.