Organized Play + Coaching

Organized Play + Coaching is a way to play games with people your skill level while also receiving coaching during a few of your games. This is different from our actual pickleball lessons as this is more focused on play than coaching, with our lessons more focused on coaching than playing. This is great for people who want to play games but would like a little bit of coaching as well. If you already play games with a group, why not play and get coaching at the same time!

• 2 hours
• 6-8 games
• Minimum 2 coached games with instructor
• $20
• Play w/ others of your same level

How the play/rotations work:

• 3 courts with 12 players total
• One court is coached by an instructor
• The other two courts are non-coached
• You get one game on the coached court, then rotate for 2 games on the other court, then back again
• Coached court will be with your same group of 4 each time you play on it
• Non-coached court you will rotate partners
• Games to 11, win by 2
• If after 17 minutes a game is not concluded then there is a 3 minute extended period where rally score is used (you don’t have to serve to score)
• Players rotate after each game
• No waiting or sitting out

Make sure you arrive 10 minute early. We start promptly on time to get in as many games as possible.

If you sign up and the session doesn’t get full the session will still happen. That means even if it’s just one court, your coach will coach just your court for the full 2 hours, which is an incredible deal for just $20. So, don’t be afraid to sign up!

Your Coach

Joshua Mackens

A former basketball junky turned pickleball player, Josh has tackled going professional in pickleball with an unmatched ferocity. Having improved from 3.5 to 5.0 in less than a year, his approach to getting better at the game speaks for itself. So much so that he started getting asked to give lessons, which led him to start The Pickleball Lab, seeing a deep need in Indy for professional coaching that helps players actually get better.

• DUPR: 4.8
• Years playing: nearly 2
• Started coaching: in 2023
• Tournament results: multiple golds in 3.5/4.0/4.5

Josh feels like he knows how to help players get better, no matter the level, no matter the type of player. He attacks getting better at the game with high level methods for improvement and he brings those same methods to the court for his students, helping them progress in their pickleball game at an uncommon rates.

Josh is also an accomplished pickleball tournament player having won multiple gold medals in 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 divisions. He has taken a step up recently to 5.0+ level tournaments where he continues to improve his standings each tournament, ready for that breakout 5.0+ tournament win.

On his passion for coaching pickleball:

“I just love watching players watch themselves get better at the game. The joy they feel when everything starts clicking, they hit that shot they’ve been working on, they start to make better decisions in those split second moments as a pickleball is flying at them…it all leads to that look on their face of pure joy. And that feeling they exude is just contagious. It’s what keeps me going.”

Ben Weber 5 months ago

Josh is a top tier coach. I've known Josh for about a year now, and his attention to detail is hard to match. He does a great job of understanding the finite details but keeping it at a high level for the player. If you want to improve your game at a steady or rapid pace, Josh can accommodate both. The systems he has in place for himself are impressive, and because of this, he has done all the hard leg work on understanding what it takes to truly level up. Josh has great drills and is very personable. I could go on and on, but I will digress. Take the leap and see Josh’s expertise for yourself.

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Beth Fischer 6 months ago

Josh is an exceptional pickleball trainer. I have taken several group lessons from and have learned so much! His teaching is very precise and easy to understand. He also watches film of you playing and gives really great feedback! He is great to work with and I highly recommend him!!

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Elizabeth Christie 6 months ago

Josh has been fabulous to work with. I have taken several group lessons with him and each one has been beneficial to improving my game. He is very knowledgeable, clear to understand and always positive. I would highly recommend Josh if you are looking to take your game to the next level.

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Alan Gardiner 7 months ago

Josh is an exceptional instructor who brings a perfect blend of knowledge, patience, and enthusiasm to the game. He has a deep understanding of pickleball and a true talent for teaching.

Whether you're new to pickleball or looking to take your game to the next level, I highly recommend Josh as your instructor!

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mary weaver 8 months ago

Josh has been extremely helpful in helping me to improve my game. He takes the time to review film of my play. He comes well prepared to each lesson and also lays out a drill schedule. He has provided me with game strategies and shot selections. I have seen improvements in my game — thanks to Josh.

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FAQ’s

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