Learn to play Pickleball or just refine your skills.
GoJu Pickleball offers a custom coaching experience for all levels of players, from beginners to experienced players.
We'll teach you the fundamentals and help you build your confidence in playing with others.
About Us
As certified pickleball coaches and addicted players, Anita and I are dedicated to helping players of all levels unlock their full potential on the court. Our passion for the game drives us to provide personalized one-on-one and doubles coaching sessions that inspire improvement, foster community, and make pickleball a fun and rewarding experience for everyone.
GoJu Pickleball
Our Goju Approach to Pickleball
At our coaching sessions, we embrace the Goju philosophy, blending both hard and soft playing styles to create a well-rounded pickleball experience. This approach ensures that players develop a versatile skill set, allowing them to adapt to any situation on the court.
Hard Style (Go):
- Powerful Shots: Focus on developing strong, aggressive shots that can put your opponents on the defensive.
- Fast Reflexes: Enhance your reaction time and agility to dominate fast-paced rallies.
- Strategic Play: Learn to apply pressure and control the pace of the game with decisive, powerful moves.
Soft Style (Ju):
- Precision and Control: Master the art of placing shots with accuracy and finesse.
- Dinking and Soft Shots: Develop a delicate touch for effective dinks and soft shots that keep your opponents guessing.
- Patience and Strategy: Cultivate a patient, strategic mindset to outmaneuver your opponents with well-timed, subtle plays.
By integrating both hard and soft elements into your game, you’ll become a more adaptable and formidable player. Join us to experience the benefits of our Goju approach and take your pickleball skills to the next level!
Services
Coaching - $50 per 1 hour session
You can book a session through the Team Reach app (iOS and Google) using the code "GoJuC0aching". We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate your needs.
One Hour Drills Session Pickleball Coaching
Designed for those players that want a one-hour session, either solo or with a friend to help elevate their pickleball game to the next level. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced player aiming to refine your skills, our certified coaches provide tailored instruction to meet your individual needs.
What We Offer:
- Interactive Drills: Engage in fun and challenging drills designed to improve your coordination and synergy on the court.
- Tailored Training Plans: We assess your current skill levels and create a customized training plan that focuses on improving your teamwork, communication, and individual skills.
- Technique and Strategy: Focus on mastering essential techniques and developing strategic gameplay to outsmart your opponents.
- In-Depth Feedback: Receive detailed feedback on your performance, with actionable tips to enhance your strengths and address your weaknesses.
- Flexible Scheduling: Sessions are scheduled at your convenience, ensuring that you can fit training into your busy lifestyle.
Join us for a One Hour Drills session and experience the benefits of personalized attention and expert guidance. Let’s work together to achieve your pickleball goals!
Two Hour Drill and Play Session Pickleball Coaching
Designed specifically for those players that want a Drill and Play type session with a friend.
What We Offer:
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Interactive Drills: Engage in fun and challenging drills designed to improve your coordination and synergy on the court.
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Game Play Analysis: Part of the session will involve you and your playing partner undertaking game play with analysis and feedback where necessary.
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Tailored Training Plans: We assess your current skill levels and create a customized training plan that focuses on improving your teamwork, communication, and individual skills.
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Technique and Strategy: Learn essential techniques and develop strategic gameplay that enhances your performance as a duo.
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Pre-Competition Preparation: Get ready for your next tournament with specialized training that focuses on match strategy, mental toughness, and peak performance.
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In-Depth Feedback: Receive detailed feedback on your performance, with actionable tips to help you both grow as players.
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Flexible Scheduling: Sessions are scheduled at your convenience, making it easy to fit training into your busy lives.
Join us for a Drill & Play coaching session and experience the benefits of personalized attention and expert guidance. Let’s work together to achieve your pickleball goals as a team!
Drill & Play Sessions at The Rise - $15 for 2 hour session
The Rise in Maylands offers a great setting for pickleball enthusiasts to enjoy a 2-hour drill and play session. This session is designed to cater to players looking to sharpen their skills and practice gameplay in a structured environment.
The session is typically divided into two parts:
1. Drills (1 Hour):
• The first half focuses on skill development with targeted drills to improve essential aspects of pickleball, such as dinking, third-shot drops, volleys, serves, and court positioning.
• Players rotate through different stations or partners, practicing various scenarios designed to build consistency, accuracy, and footwork.
• Drills may vary in intensity, ensuring they are suitable for players of different skill levels, from beginners to intermediate.
2. Play (1 Hour):
• The second half of the session transitions to actual gameplay, where players get to apply what they’ve learned in friendly matches.
• Players are paired with different opponents to experience a variety of playing styles and strategies.
• Games are typically casual but competitive, with the opportunity for players to get feedback on their performance and improve tactical play.
Who It’s For:
• Suitable for all levels (beginners to advanced).
• A great way to meet other players and enjoy a social yet competitive environment. The session at The Rise provides a structured yet fun atmosphere, ideal for pickleball players wanting to advance their skills while engaging in gameplay with fellow enthusiasts.
DUPR Sessions at The Rise - $15 for 2 hour session
The DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) session at The Rise, Maylands, offers a competitive yet fun way to play ranked pickleball games. This 2-hour session allows players to engage in a structured format, with the opportunity for promotion or demotion based on their performance in two rounds of three ranked games.
Format:
1. Warm-up (10-15 minutes):
• The session starts with a brief warm-up to get players ready for competitive play.
• Players may practice basic shots or drills to loosen up and prepare for the upcoming matches.
2. Two Rounds of Three Ranked Games:
• Each player will compete in two rounds, with three games per round. These games are part of the DUPR rating system, meaning every point won or lost can impact your overall DUPR rating.
• Players are matched with others of similar skill levels, and after each round, promotion or demotion can occur based on performance.
3. Promotion/Demotion:
• After the first round, players who perform exceptionally well may be promoted to a higher-ranked group, facing stronger opponents in the next round.
• Conversely, players who don’t perform as well may be demoted to a lower group, ensuring they face opponents more closely aligned with their current skill level.
• The promotion and demotion system helps maintain competitive balance and gives players an incentive to strive for improvement during the session.
4. Game Rules:
• Each game follows standard pickleball scoring, and may be played to 11 points (Sudden Death).
• Results are tracked and submitted to the DUPR system to update each player’s rating based on their performance.
Key Benefits:
• Competitive yet friendly: The DUPR session offers a structured format for players looking to compete and improve their ratings while maintaining a friendly, social environment.
• Real-time ranking: The promotion and demotion system ensures that players are constantly challenged by opponents of a similar skill level, helping everyone improve.
• Skill Development: Playing against various opponents in a competitive setting allows players to sharpen their skills, adapt to different strategies, and grow as pickleball players.Who It’s For:
• Suitable for players of all skill levels, as the DUPR rating system adjusts based on individual performance.
• Great for players looking to track progress, improve their ratings, and get more competitive experience in a social environment.
This DUPR session is a fantastic way to mix competitive pickleball with personal skill development while enjoying the fun, fast-paced nature of the sport.
Inside The Game - A monthly discussion
October 2024 - The Unattackable Ball
In pickleball, one prevalent myth in the dinking metagame is the idea of the "unattainable ball"—the belief that there are dinks so perfectly placed that they are essentially unreturnable. While it's true that high-level players can execute dinks with pinpoint accuracy and touch, the concept of a truly unattainable ball during dinking rallies is largely a myth due to several factors inherent to pickleball.
Why the "Unattainable Ball" is a Myth
1. Court Size and Player Agility: The pickleball court is relatively small (20x44 feet), which allows players to cover the court with minimal movement. Unlike tennis or other racket sports, where long rallies can stretch the court, skilled pickleball players can reach even well-placed dinks with quick reflexes, anticipation, and positioning.
2. Anticipation and Positioning: The key to success in dinking isn’t just placing the ball, but also being in the right position to retrieve the ball. Experienced players use their positioning at the kitchen line and their ability to read body language to prepare for the opponent's dink, making even the best-placed shots retrievable.
3. Dink Retrieval Techniques: Players at high levels are adept at handling tough dinks by using techniques like:
- Reaching and stretching: Skilled players can extend their reach without losing balance to return a dink that seems unreachable.
- Soft hands: Using soft hands to cushion the ball can turn a difficult shot into a playable one, keeping the dink rally going.
- Backhand and forehand flicks: Even in compromised positions, players use flicks and angles to recover and reset the point.
4. Paddle Technology: Advances in paddle technology have improved players' ability to control and place shots, making it easier to manage tricky dinks and hard-to-reach balls. Spin, texture, and improved paddle design contribute to the ability to handle previously difficult shots.
5. Marginal Gains in Mistakes: Dinking often aims to force an opponent into a mistake, rather than delivering an unreturnable shot. The myth of an unattainable ball assumes that perfection is the goal, but in reality, dinks are often designed to create marginal advantages over time—leading to an eventual mistake like popping the ball up or hitting it into the net.
The purpose of dinking isn’t necessarily to hit an unattainable shot, but rather to create pressure and force an error. A well-executed dink can lead to:
- A high ball (which can be attacked),
- A poor angle, or
- A loss of balance and position. In other words, dinking is about building control of the point and forcing your opponent to make a mistake over time, rather than trying to hit a perfect, unreachable shot.
While the unattainable dink is largely a myth, there are rare instances where a combination of perfect placement, spin, and player error may result in a shot that feels impossible to return. This usually happens when:
- A player is caught out of position,
- A dink lands just outside their reach with extreme spin,
- A player is tricked by a sudden change in pace or direction. However, these scenarios are exceptions, not the norm, and are more likely to occur at lower levels of play where movement and anticipation aren't as developed.
In 2024's dinking metagame, it's about consistency, patience, and mental toughness. The true mastery of dinking lies not in seeking to hit "unattainable" shots but in placing balls that keep the opponent off-balance, forcing them to make mistakes. An unreachable ball is more often the result of an opponent’s error rather than the perfection of the shot itself.
Player Questions Answered
Hi GoJu
What is the difference between Rally Scoring and Normal Scoring?????
Rally Scoring
Mechanics
- Point Scoring: In rally scoring, a point is awarded to the team that wins the rally, regardless of who served. This means every rally presents an opportunity to score.
- Serving: If the serving team wins the rally, they earn a point and continue to serve. If the receiving team wins the rally, they gain a point and also serve next.
- Game Format: Matches can be played to a certain number of points, typically 11, 15, or 21, with a requirement to win by at least 2 points.
Example
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Match Scenario:
- Team A serves first and wins the first rally, scoring a point. The score is now 1-0.
- They serve again and win the second rally, making the score 2-0.
- If Team B wins the next rally, they earn a point and now serve. The score is 2-1.
- Team B serves and wins the next rally, bringing the score to 2-2.
- This continues back and forth, with points being scored every rally.
Advantages
- Fast Pace: The game moves quickly, as each rally could result in a score.
- Continuous Engagement: Both teams have opportunities to score, keeping all players engaged throughout the match.
Disadvantages
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Less Emphasis on Service Strategy: The pressure is on both teams to perform well on every rally, potentially minimizing strategic serving.
Side-Out Scoring
Mechanics
- Point Scoring: In side-out scoring, only the serving team can score points. If the receiving team wins the rally, they simply gain the right to serve but do not score.
- Service Changes: When the serving team loses a rally, they lose the serve to the opposing team.
- Game Format: Similar to rally scoring, matches can be played to specific point totals, often requiring a 2-point margin for victory.
Example
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Match Scenario:
- Team A serves first. They win the first rally and score a point, making it 1-0.
- If Team A loses the next rally, Team B now serves but does not score a point. The score remains 1-0.
- Team B serves and wins the rally, making it 1-1.
- Team B then serves again and wins the next rally, making the score 2-1 in their favor.
- If Team A wins the next rally, they do not score but gain the right to serve next. The score stays 2-1.
Advantages
- Emphasis on Strategy: The requirement to score only while serving encourages strategic play, as teams must focus on winning rallies to score points.
- Tactical Dynamics: Players often strategize around service and return games, adding layers of complexity.
Disadvantages
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Slower Game Flow: The game can become slower, especially if one team consistently fails to win their service games, potentially leading to longer matches.
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Reduced Engagement for Receiving Team: Players on the receiving team may feel less engaged if they cannot score until they win the serve.
Conclusion
Both scoring systems have their own merits and challenges. Rally scoring promotes a faster, more dynamic game, making it appealing in competitive settings. Side-out scoring fosters tactical play and strategic depth but may result in longer matches. Understanding these systems allows players to adapt their strategies and enjoy the game, regardless of the format being used.
Recommendations
Paddles & Accessories
Team Selection Software
P360 Eye Protection
Pickleball Association of Western Australia
Team Reach
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It can be played both indoors and outdoors on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net.
2. What should I bring to a coaching session?
Please bring your pickleball paddle, comfortable athletic clothing, non-marking court shoes, and a water bottle. We provide the balls and any additional training equipment.
3. How do I book a coaching session?
You can book a session through the Team Reach app (iOS and Google) using the code "GoJuC0aching". We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate your needs.
4. What levels of players do you coach?
We coach players of all levels, from beginners who are just learning the game to high intermediate players looking to refine their skills and strategies.
5. What is the cost of a coaching session?
Our pricing varies depending on the type and length of the session. Please check our Services for detailed information or contact us for a custom quote.
6 How can I prepare for a competition?
We offer specialized pre-competition training that focuses on match strategy, mental toughness, and peak performance. Contact us to schedule a session tailored to your competition needs.
7. What if I need to cancel or reschedule a session?
We understand that plans can change. Please notify as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule your session,
- What are the benefits of pickleball coaching?
Coaching helps you improve your technique, strategy, and overall game performance. It also provides personalized feedback and guidance to help you reach your pickleball goals faster.
9. Where in Perth can I play Pickleball?
Team Reach is the predominant app used to book a session at a number of Perth centers. Listed below are the Team Reach codes for a variety of session types, days & times and court types.
GoJuC0aching - GoJu coaching sessions held at The Rise Maylands
New3raPB - GoJu Drill & Play sessions held at The Rise Maylands
DuprTheR1se - GoJu DUPR sessions held at The Rise Maylands
TheRise - City of Baywater social sessions at The Rise
Morley_PB - City of Baywater social sessions at Morley
Pkbl1Warwick - Warwick social session
NTCTPB - Nollamara Tennis Club
SORRPB6020 - Sorrento DUPR
ORPB6027 - Ocean Ridge Tennis Club
NSPKBL - North Shore Tennis Club
BPB2024 - Bouncers Joondalup social sessions
10. How do I determine the right grip size for my paddle?
Choosing the right grip size is crucial for comfort and control. We can help you determine the best grip size during your social or coaching session. We provide free over grip installation to PAWA members.