Pickleball Instructor
Mental Skills Coach
Hi! I’m Alvin Chan, a National Coaching Certification Program Level 2 certified pickleball instructor. I am a staff instructor at Pacific Pickleball and City of Richmond community centres.
This website is intended to supplement the instruction in my on-court group and private lessons. You can scroll down to find what I mentioned when we were working together.
I’m a big believer that better pickleball isn’t just about improving your shots. It’s also about sharper focus, steadier nerves, and a mindset that helps you learn better and play more consistently. To learn more about me and about mental skills, click the button below.
Suggested Resources
You might be here because I suggested you visit this website for a particular video (or videos) that support what we explored in class. Here is that list!
The Starter Pack:
Why is pickleball taking over the world? → here
Quick overview of the rules of pickleball → here
Three Keys to Injury prevention → here
How to select a pickleball paddle → here
Inspirational Professional Play:
Top 10 plays from the CIBC Texas Open → here
Top 10 plays from the Orange County Cup → here
Top 10 plays from the Cape Coral Open → here
7 Straight Minutes of Pickleball Chaos (Tama S & Sahra D) → here
Pickleball Pros vs Tennis Pros: Irvine & Waters vs. Isner & Sock → here
Skills and Strategies:
Court Positioning
“Here’s the ‘secret’… When high level players are playing the ball, everyone typically is in good position… even the pro players - they don’t know where the ball’s going to be hit. But because they’re in good position, they know the limited options available, and they can shut it down.”
- Jordan Briones
If you’re here to look at the court positioning, shading, and angles-of-attack diagrams that I mentioned in a group lesson, click -> here
An excellent short video on good court positioning -> here
Image credit: Primetime Pickleball
Consistency
What do beginning and intermediate level players want most?
In one word, what I hear most often is consistency.
This section is for you if you’ve ever left the court wondering why sometimes you just can’t find your best performance.
Below are links to short, practical insights that support building your consistency — in your swing, your footwork, your timing, and your mental approach.
Click the titles below to go to each subject.