How to Become a Pickleball Instructor & Why PPR Is Backing the Best

Pickleball doesn’t just grow because of new courts or viral highlights. It grows because someone took the time to teach the game the right way.

As more players look to turn their on-court knowledge into coaching opportunities, one question keeps coming up: How do you actually become a pickleball instructor, and what separates a good coach from a great one?

That’s exactly why Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) is sponsoring the Best Pickleball Instructor category at the Dink Awards this year. Their mission—educating, supporting, and elevating coaches—aligns directly with what this award is meant to celebrate.

What Does It Mean to Become a Pickleball Instructor?

At the surface level, teaching pickleball might look simple. You know the rules. You can demonstrate the shots. You can run drills.

But great coaching goes far beyond feeding balls and calling scores.

Becoming a pickleball instructor means understanding how players learn, how to structure lessons, how to progress skills properly, and how to tailor instruction to the individual standing across the net from you. It’s about the in-between moments: communication, feedback, pacing, and confidence-building.

That’s where certification comes in.

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Why Pickleball Instructor Certification Matters

PPR is the largest pickleball coach education and certification organization in the world.

Certification doesn’t just add letters after your name; it provides a framework for becoming a better coach. Instructors who go through PPR’s Level 1 certification often walk away with a broader understanding of coaching as a craft, not just a collection of drills.

"Our member resources and continued education are important for consistent growth of coaches," says PPR Vice President Sarah Ansboury.

Many coaches say the same thing after completing their first certification:
“I finally understand why lesson structure matters and how much the student should drive the process.”

Certification also enables instructors to obtain liability insurance, which is essential for anyone teaching regularly, whether at a club, a park, or in private sessions.

Built Around Coaches

PPR’s standards are built on over 50 years of experience across racquet sports, with education models that continuously evolve to stay current with how pickleball is actually being played and taught today.

A few key things that make PPR different:

• More certification levels and pathways than any other organization
• Ongoing education, not just a one-and-done course
• A robust learning management system with videos, webinars, and courses
• A for-profit structure that allows PPR to remain independent—not tied to paddle companies or outside commercial interests

Everything PPR does funnels back into coach education and the growth of the sport itself.

Supporting Coaches Beyond the Court

Becoming a certified instructor isn’t just about what happens during a lesson. PPR backs its members with real-world benefits designed to help coaches succeed long-term.

That includes partnerships and discounts with organizations like DUPR, coaching tools, training aids, baskets, balls, paddles, and other essentials instructors rely on daily.

PPR members also gain access to continued education, industry connections, and even travel opportunities through fitness and resort partnerships, benefits that recognize coaching as both a profession and a lifestyle.

The Dink Awards reach a different audience than traditional racquet-sport circles, and that’s intentional.

PPR sees a growing wave of younger players who want to coach, but don’t yet understand why certification matters or how to evaluate the quality of instruction available today. Social media often highlights a handful of familiar faces, but the reality is far richer.

There are exceptional instructors everywhere, teaching daily at clubs, parks, and community facilities, quietly making players better and growing the game in meaningful ways.

By sponsoring Best Pickleball Instructor at the The Dink Awards, PPR wants to shine a light on those coaches and help players understand that finding the right instructor can completely change their experience with the sport.

Not every player has had a great coaching experience. That doesn’t mean great coaches aren’t out there—it means the right match hasn’t happened yet.

Growing the Game Starts With Coaches

At its core, PPR’s mission is simple: support coaches, educate instructors, and grow pickleball the right way.

For some, that path starts with certification. For others, it leads to roles as ambassadors, league coordinators, raters, or community leaders. Every pathway matters—and every great instructor plays a role in shaping the sport’s future.

"There are so many great coaches out there that care and will make a difference," says Ansboury. "It’s just a matter of finding a coach that fits your needs."

That’s why backing the Best Pickleball Instructor category isn’t just a sponsorship. It’s a statement.

Because the people who teach the game deserve recognition—and the next generation of coaches deserves a clear path forward.