Private Lessons & Coaches in Mill Valley, CA

Hi I'm Derek! I recently graduated from UC Santa Cruz, where I played four years of college soccer as a winger and an outside back. Since graduation, I have continued to stay involved with the sport both as a fan (come on Arsenal) and by playing in the SFSFL and other pick-up games around the city. As a coach, I use my experience with technical drills I have found most effective during my 16+ years as a player, and shape my sessions around whatever skills you'd like to work on, whether that be finishing, defending, technique, etc.

"The lesson was pretty good, especially since I appreciated how close Derek liked to stay nearby during the drill. Though I still need to get more comfortable with the ball, I feel like I made some decent progress, and the lesson highlighted that proximity can really help with focus. Hopefully, next time I can build more confidence with ball control. If you’re looking for a coach who keeps things close and helpful, Derek might be worth a try.

Like you, I just love pickleball, and I love teaching and coaching others to improve dramatically by making simple, small adjustments. I have a Level II certification from the IPTPA and years of coaching experience here and in France, where I was the 2023 National Champion (50+). Let's play!

"great lesson

I embarked on my tennis journey when I became my wife's hitting partner, gradually immersing myself in the game and honing my skills. As my love for tennis grew, I ventured into competitive play, discovering a true passion for the sport. Inspired by my progress, I began sharing my knowledge with friends, helping them improve their game. This led me to catch the attention of two esteemed teachers: one from the renowned Strawberry Group in Tiburon and another from the YTA Youth Tennis in Oakland. Since then, I have cherished every moment of my involvement in tennis, teaching others and continuously expanding my own expertise, all fueled by an unwavering love for the game.

"Never met a coach like him… he stayed 40 minutes extra with me and he is as patient as he could be…

I've taught tennis at various levels, from beginners with no experience to advanced players, for over two decades. Having played competitively since high school and with the USTA, I reached my highest play level of 4.5. I have also coached girls' and boys' high school tennis teams. I enjoy teaching students of all ages and experience levels, sharing my passion for the game, and helping them improve their skills.

"Coach Wayne is amazing!! He’s kind, funny, and encouraging. He knows what his players need and can explain it in a way to help you understand. It’s been 10+ years since I played tennis in high school, and he made it easy to get back into it. I feel motivated!

It’s my goal to give you an excellent experience that enhances your game and enriches your life through the awesome sport of tennis. I especially love working with beginners, to shape their strokes, yet get them playing as soon as possible. I can help with points for improvement. Patience and kindness are my trademarks.

"I appreciate how Coach Shannon really takes the time to listen to my goals and patiently help me refine my movement and posture during the lesson.

I’m a recently retired orthopedic surgeon who has transitioned into a highly rated Pickleball player and certified instructor with Pickleball Coaching International. With over 20 years of experience coaching youth sports, I bring a unique blend of expertise and passion to the game. My keen eye for teaching allows me to tailor lessons for players of all ages and skill levels, and I’m dedicated to helping you elevate your Pickleball skills to the next level. Let’s get started!

"Excellent coaching with high yield tips!

I'm a dedicated sports enthusiast who thrives on both on-field and off-field efforts to achieve tangible results. My deep passion for the game is matched only by my commitment to hard work. I wholeheartedly embrace this sport and am fully prepared to guide you towards success. If you possess the determination, rest assured, I have the expertise and strategy to pave the way for your achievements.

"I loved working with Conrad because he is a great coach. The lesson was engaging and well-paced, making it easy to improve my son’s skills. If you're interested in baseball, I definitely recommend giving his lessons a try. Looking forward to our next session!

With half a decade of experience teaching soccer, I'm committed to fostering skill development and sportsmanship. My passion lies in nurturing players' potential in a supportive environment. I blend proven techniques with personalized strategies for optimal growth. I played college club soccer at Clemson University, college soccer at Ohlone College in Fremont, and was also a Division 1 Kicker for San Jose State. I have been coaching for 5 years now as well as many years as a personal trainer and physical therapy instructor. I coach soccer for World Cup soccer camps and AYSO. Growing up I played for Ballistic United. I currently direct the Tri-valley futures program for ballistic United Soccer Club, tailored for kids aged 1-7. I also direct the futsal factory for ballistic United which is for kids 8-18.

"Collin is amazing with my 10 year old. He knows exactly how to push him.

Save ~$10-15 per lesson with me by not having to purchase golf balls at the range! Hi there, I'm Blaise! A seasoned golfer carrying a scratch handicap, and a tech entrepreneur by profession. My lifelong affair with the game has not only allowed me to master the nuances of golf but also share my knowledge with budding golfers. Over the years, I've honed my teaching skills having given well over 5,000 detailed lessons. My approach to teaching golf revolves around nailing the basics first, and then progressively moving onto the more intricate details of the game that fit your natural swing. As a former multi-sport athlete, I like to find a students natural athleticism and teach a swing that revolves around what works best for the student. Golf is hard to learn on your own. Many aspects of the game are counterintuitive and often times up means down, right means left...etc. I'll help you skip years of frustration trying to learn these concepts, and get you hitting the ball better than you thought possible. So, let's get started on this exciting journey, gradually improving your game from the fundamentals to the finer strokes, while having a blast. I teach out of a private golf simulator in Redwood City. If you're not familiar with a simulator, it's high end technology that captures every metric of both the ball and club. In my opinion, the golf simulator is the best way to work on your golf swing because you get so much more data than just hitting balls at the range. The simulator also includes a high speed camera that shows the club hitting the ball frame by frame. But mostly, it's just really cool and a lot of fun!

"Holy cow! My swing speed went from 70ish to 98.5.

Golf should feel enjoyable, rewarding, and easier to understand. With 25+ years of California mini-tour competition and coaching experience, I help golfers build confidence and lower scores through clear, repeatable fundamentals. I coach all skill levels, from beginners to competitive players, with a focus on solid contact, short-game scoring, and swing mechanics that hold up under pressure. My coaching style is structured, personalized, and easy to follow, turning complex concepts into simple feels and actionable steps players can trust on the course. My goal is to help golfers play with more confidence, clarity, and enjoyment.

"Ajay was fantastic. He took his time making sure I focused on the basics. Loved the info bites during the session. Definitely recommend taking a few lessons with him!