Team Turner Pickleball
Learn something new today
For those beginning their pickleball journeys and want to develop necessary skills sets, or intermediate players with the desire to identify and sharpen particular areas of their game. Lessons and instruction are typically geared toward speed and agility development, along with learning to read and anticipate opposing shots, court awareness, and strategies that allow you to control more of the game. Matt currently offers individual & small group lessons.
About
I’m Matt Turner, Pickleball player & coach, local physical educator, and former fitness trainer.
My commitment to pickleball and love for the sport was inherited from my mother, who was an avid player. When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, I put my teaching career on hold for two years and my wife and I went back to Seattle to care for her. Since she was still physically strong and able to play, I found myself taking her to the courts and regular meet up groups to play on a daily basis.
Impressed with the amount of people that would show up to play, as well as my inability to sit still, I joined her on the court. A strong tennis background fostered a relatively quick transition to pickleball, and I soon found myself dedicated to the game.
I was a collegiate athlete at Central Washington University, where I played and started as shortstop on the baseball team. I feel my background and experience in baseball is not only valuable to me as a pickleball player, but equally valuable when teaching lessons and working with clients. It helps illustrtate the importance of footwork and getting your body where it needs to be in order to hit effective and successful shots.
I grew up and lived in Seattle until moving to Arizona a few years ago. I currently teach physical education at a local school in South Tucson, and love introducing this wonderful sport to my students. I turned 50 this year, and have a 4.2 DUPR rating in both singles and doubles.
Physical activity plays such a vital role in our overall health and wellness. What I like about pickleball is that it can provide this for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or ability level. Equally as important is the community and positive relationships it establishes.
Private court nestled in Saguaro National
Most people taking a Zumba class typically aren’t very excited to have an audience watching from the other side of the glass. Pickleball lessons at a public court or facility can feel the same way for many people. Receiving instruction and playing at a private court allows you the freedom to practice and build confidence while working on areas of your game that you are developing without the fear of making mistakes. Another benefit is that you’re not pressed for time. No one is there waiting to hop on your court the second you’re time is up, or your game is over. The quiet, relaxed atmosphere is the perfect setting for working on your game without distraction.
Enjoy Arizona’s “one-of-a-kind” sunsets if you happen to play in the evening, and the unique, energetic variety of wildlife that are abundant in this area.
“SPEED KILLS”.
A recipe for “getting to everything.”
Proper Form & Footwork
Like I was told in baseball, “if they say you have good hands, they are really saying you have good feet.” A player’s footwork speaks a lot to the level of player s/he is. Good footwork is key to your body being in position for a successful shot. If my footwork is not getting me set up properly and in time, then my hands are going to lag, or the opposite, overcompensate for the rest of my body not in proper position. Poor footwork creates bad habits and is a recipe for inconsistency.
Court Positioning, Set Ups, & Strategy
Understanding and praticing propercourt orientation, effective shot selection to control the game, diversifying your shot portfolio to keep your opponents uncertain, and improving your drops and lobs in order to set up a poach or winning shot.
Awareness & Anticipation
Imagine how easy the game would be if we knew our opponent’s next shot- whether it was a lob or normal forehand drive, the speed in which it was hit, etc. In addition to practicing drills that increase speed and agility, you will learn skills to help read an opponent’s body position, paddle angle, and momentum in a particular direction in order to determine where their next hit will go. Top rebounders in basketball, professional shortstops in baseball, these athletes are reading the bounce, or reading the ball off of the bat and moving in that direction slightly before the ball is hit.
Learn what to look for in your opponents actions, paddle angle, footwork and body position along with the contact point.
“A Step in the Right Direction” – Importance of the first step, Accelerating through tough gets, Speed and Quickness drills.
Playing against an opponent who has the speed and ability to get to even you best drop shots from anywhere on the court can be a frustrating feeling, to say the least. It’s a game changer that effects your shot selection, placement, and can alter the style of which you are comfortable playing. In private lesssons you will learn skills that will have an immediate impact on your game, as well as a knowledge of drills that you can practice on your own, that will continue your development of fast twitch muscle fibers and speed/endurance. As we age, we slow down- in virtually everything; reflexes and agility are two examples. We also don’t heal and recover as fast. To counter the “slowing down”, we have to work harder, or more importantly, work smarter. While there is no real substitute for an honest, rigorous workout, there are ways to work out “smarter” and more efficiently. In the personal 1 on 1 sessions with me, you will practice drills that focus on improving speed and covering more of the court, but you will also learn tricks that will make you two steps faster, or what to read of your opponent to tell where s/he is hitting or placing their next shot. Developing these skills at a young age is equally as important. Young players can train their cells, muscle fibers, metabolism, to work in a particular way based on how they train. Bodies form habits, and starting these habits at a young age can set their development on the right track.
Net Play & Reaction
A key to pickleball success is strong net play. The ability to react quickly and effectively at the net works hand in hand with the agility and speed training you will learn during your practice sessions.
Contact
Via Email
Booking Lesson or Time
Simply email Matt at the email provided with the day(s) and time(s) that work for you, as well as what you are looking for (private lesson, court time, etc.) and Matt will respond via email or phone. Please leave your preferred way of contact.
Payment
Payment can be made when you arrive at the court, at the time of lesson, clinic, or court reservation. Cash, check, or online options such as CashApp or Zelle are accepted.
Location
Q: How do I get to Matt’s?
Once lesson is booked and confirmed, Matt will provide you with his address.