What Happens When the Coach Stays in the Game?

One of the things I have learned from coaching pickleball is that there can be a very big space between knowing what to do and actually doing it while a point is happening.

You hear, “get up to the kitchen.” You know it is better to slow the ball down, reset. You have practiced the drop during warm up. You understand the idea of patience.

And then the ball comes at you. And suddenly, real time play. 

That is why our Antigua pickleball and mahjong  experience is designed to include more than a series of clinics.  It also includes real-time play and in the game feedback, to turn the head knowledge into actual real life technique. Because nothing beats real life experience.

Players are grouped so that people are learning at an appropriate level. But a very important part of the week is what happens when the coaches stay with you while you PLAY.

They watch a point develop. They see the choices made, where players are standing, what happens next. They can stop and say, “try this", and play continues, you have another chance.

The goal is simple:  help you understand the game better.

Strategy. Awareness. Confidence. And the joy of a rally that lasts a little longer because you made a different decision.  Yea!

A trip for all kinds of players

One of the reasons I am excited about our Antigua Coed week (March 10-15, 2027) is that people do not have to arrive at the same level.

This comes up with couples all the time. One person may be thinking about pickleball strategy while brushing their teeth. The other enjoys the game, is newer to it or is perfectly happy to play some and then go find the Caribbean Sea.

That is okay. Everyone does not need the same relationship with pickleball to enjoy the week.

Our coaches work with different skill levels and there is room for people to challenge themselves at the place where they actually are. For one person that may mean refining strategy and shot selection. For another it may be building confidence, learning where to stand and be in the right place for the shot coming next. 

And then, when the court time is over, you are in Antigua.

There is swimming. Snorkeling. Beaches. Exploring. Food. Conversation. Time to slow down.

Introducing our coaches!

Coaching matters.

I am honored to work with these coaches.  They offer much more than feeding balls and calling out instructions. They really KNOW and LOVE the game. And they know how to bring others to experience this JOY. 

Daniella Niss comes from a background in education, and I think you feel that when she teaches. She has competed and medaled at major tournaments, including twice at the US Open, but what makes her especially good with our groups is her ability to adapt. Different player. Different level. Different way of learning. Daniella finds a way in.

Then there is Ellen Korelitz. If the day ends in “Y,” Ellen is on a pickleball court! 

Ellen brings enormous energy to the game. She has medaled in singles, women’s and mixed doubles, coaches players at all levels, and brings PickleHIT into the week too, supporting strength, movement and fitness that allow us to keep doing what we love.

For our Coed Antigua week, we also have Michael Niss. Michael and Daniella have appropriately earned the name the BlockNISS Monsters, and Michael has another nickname: Pickleball Whisperer. There is a reason. Michael has coached hundreds of players from newer 2.0 players through advanced 5.0 players, and he has a remarkable way of breaking down what is actually happening in a point. Where were you standing? Why did you choose that shot? What is your opponent telling you? What might happen two shots from now?

He is strategic, with a sense of humor and excellent at making something complicated suddenly feel understandable.

And because Michael offers video critique during the week, there are opportunities to SEE your own game. Sometimes seeing ourselves play is humbling. But it can also be incredibly useful.

For Sisterhood, I am on the coaching team with Daniella and Ellen. As a Level 2 IPTPA Certified Pickleball Coach and USA Pickleball Ambassador, my joy is the connection that pickleball brings, creating a community and learning by doing.

You will have ACCESS to these great coaches.

A low coach-to-player ratio. Time together. Coaches watching actual points. Conversations between games. A chance to try something, receive feedback, and try it again.

Come home with something

I want people to come home from these trips with more than photos.

Maybe you see the game differently. Maybe you finally understand a piece of strategy that has been frustrating you. Maybe you are simply less afraid to try something new.

And perhaps you come home loving the game a little more.

It's  about joyful play and learn. We are there to have fun. We are also there to pay attention, stretch ourselves and enjoy what happens when learning becomes part of the travel experience.

That is what I mean when I say Carpe Dink’em ... seize the dink, seize the day, i.e.,  Go For It!

Our Sisterhood and Coed Antigua groups are forming now for March 2027. Couples, friends and solo travelers are welcome, and you do not need to arrive as the same kind of player. 

If this has stirred something in you and you might want to learn about our Antigua trip, I invite you to read the Antigua trip details and reach out. I'd love to hear your questions. 

Thanks for reading!
~Melinda