Coaches, it's time for a rethink. In Episode 5 of the Pickleball Coaches Podcast, Mark Renneson challenges one of the most common pieces of coaching advice: returning serve down the middle. 🚫 Is it really helping your players? 🤔 Should we still be using the “margin for error” argument? 🎯 What if we’re just feeding the other team’s best player over and over again? Mark breaks down why this strategy might be outdated, offers smarter alternatives, and walks through critical dos and don’ts when teaching new players in their first 20 minutes on court. From rally-building to safety tips, from technique pacing to using throw pickleball, this episode is a must for anyone helping beginners fall in love with the game. 📌 Topics Covered:

• Why “down the middle” returns fail
• Strategic return placement in mixed and equal skill matches
• The “Black Hole” return drill
• 6 mistakes to avoid with beginners
• What to focus on in your first 20 minutes
• Throw pickleball: your new favorite tool

In this episode of the Pickleball Coaches Podcast, Mark Renneson breaks down his Top 10 Coaching Pet Peeves—from late arrivals to paddle ball rollers and everything in between. 🎯 Whether you're a coach, a player, or somewhere in between, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what REALLY drives coaches crazy—and how to be a more respectful, effective, and safe participant in any pickleball learning environment. 💡 What you'll learn: The #1 safety mistake players make in clinics (without even realizing it) Why hitting “just one more ball” could literally be dangerous How good coaching is like storytelling—and how interruptions ruin it The right (and wrong) way to toss a ball back to your coach 🔥 Coaches and players alike: this one’s full of insight, laughs, and a few uncomfortable truths. 👂 Have your own coaching pet peeve? Send us a voice note or email at info@pickleballcoachinginternational.com

In this episode, Mark shares a real-world coaching experience that highlights a shockingly common oversight even experienced coaches make—failing to demonstrate drills. This episode dives deep into why clear, effective demonstrations are critical for coaching success, how to structure them, and what coaches should avoid at all costs. What you’ll learn: Why “saying” is never enough—show your drills How to demonstrate safely and effectively (belly button rule!) What makes a demo fail—and how to fix it Why match play ratings are flawed How PCI’s ratings system works (and why it’s more fair) Tips on managing “helpful” students and setting boundaries Should you ditch water breaks? Try the built-in hydration rotation strategy. Whether you're a seasoned instructor or new to teaching, this is a must-listen for leveling up your lessons.