Coaching isn’t just about what you say—it’s about knowing when to say nothing. In this episode, Mark Renneson tackles three moments when silence helps your players more than feedback, how to decide if a ball machine is worth it (and when it isn’t), what to do when a player melts down in matches but shines in practice, and how many hours on court is too many for a coach without compromising lesson quality.

🎯 What you’ll learn

The 3 situations where great coaches keep quiet

Ball machines: smart uses vs. false confidence

Helping a player who chokes—reframing identity & reducing fear

A practical test for coach workload (so hour 7 looks like hour 1)

In this episode of the Pickleball Coaches Podcast, Mark Renneson breaks down the three most common struggles new coaches face during instructor certification:

• Saying & Showing – Why demonstrating a drill while narrating is harder than it looks.
• Terminology Traps – How inconsistent language across the pickleball world confuses coaches and players.
• Playing & Coaching at the Same Time – Why it’s so challenging for instructors to join in while still giving quality feedback.
• Plus, Mark answers listener questions about drills for different skill levels, recording lessons, in-person certification, and how to keep players motivated.

Whether you’re a new instructor or a seasoned coach, these tips will help you deliver better lessons and grow as a leader on the court.

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 Mark breaks down why this strategy might be outdated, offers smarter alternatives, and walks through critical dos and don’ts when teaching new players in their first 20 minutes on court.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