In this episode, we cover…
(0:00): Leslie Lagerquist shares how he first discovered pickleball in 2023 and quickly became obsessed with the sport.
(0:59): He explains why pickleball’s community and accessibility make it appealing for players of all ages.
(2:15): How beginner players can easily get started through local gyms, open play sessions, and introductory lessons.
(3:14): He breaks down why the forehand drive is the most important skill for new pickleball players to learn early.
(4:22): How strategy and mental awareness become increasingly important as players improve.
(5:33): He talks about helping athletes stay positive during momentum swings and difficult stretches in matches.
(5:58):Injuries in pickleball and why older players need to focus on recovery, stretching, and listening to their bodies.
(7:54): He explains how older players can still compete with younger athletes through consistency, positioning, and smart strategy.
(9:59): Leslie breaks down how advanced pickleball becomes highly strategic once players move past the beginner level.
(13:17): He shares what a one-on-one pickleball lesson looks like and why mastering fundamentals helps players enjoy the game long term.
Leslie Lagerquist on Coaching Pickleball
Pickleball has quickly become one of the fastest-growing sports in America, attracting everyone from teenagers to retirees. For pickleball coach Leslie Lagerquist, the sport’s popularity comes down to one simple thing: accessibility. Whether someone is highly competitive or just looking for a fun way to stay active, pickleball creates an environment where almost anyone can step onto the court and enjoy themselves.
Leslie first discovered pickleball in early 2023 after reading an article about finding more enjoyable ways to stay active. Having grown up playing ping pong and some tennis, he immediately connected with the sport’s fast pace and social atmosphere. Like many players, he quickly became obsessed once he started playing.
What stood out most to Leslie was the community surrounding pickleball. He explained that one of the most unique aspects of the game is how players of completely different ages and backgrounds can compete together. On any given day, a 70-year-old player can step onto the court and challenge someone decades younger simply through consistency, strategy, and experience.
Why Pickleball Is So Easy to Start
One of the biggest reasons pickleball continues growing so quickly is how approachable it feels for beginners. According to Leslie, most gyms and local clubs now offer beginner-friendly pickleball clinics or introductory lessons, making it easy for people to learn the basics without feeling overwhelmed.
While someone could technically learn the rules online, Leslie believes the best way to start is by simply showing up and playing. The pickleball community is known for helping beginners feel comfortable, and many experienced players are happy to guide newcomers through scoring, positioning, and basic strategy.
Even players who arrive nervous or inexperienced are usually welcomed quickly into games and open play sessions.
The Most Important Skill for Beginners
When Leslie works with beginner pickleball players in Utah, he focuses heavily on one specific skill: the forehand drive. He believes that mastering this motion early makes the game dramatically easier and more enjoyable because so many shots in pickleball build off the same movement pattern.
Rather than overwhelming beginners with advanced strategy immediately, Leslie helps players develop a compact, controlled swing that allows them to:
- Serve consistently
- Return shots confidently
- Generate topspin
- Feel comfortable during rallies
Once players build confidence with their forehand drive, they can usually compete comfortably with most recreational pickleball players.
Pickleball Is More Strategic Than People Realize
Although many people view pickleball as a casual recreational activity, Leslie explained that the sport becomes surprisingly strategic at higher levels. He described advanced pickleball as “a sport mixed with chess” because positioning, shot selection, patience, and timing become incredibly important.
At higher levels, players constantly think about:
- Court positioning
- Reading opponents
- Knowing when to attack
- Letting out balls go
- Managing doubles communication
- Controlling tempo during points
According to Leslie, once players move past the beginner level, athleticism alone is no longer enough to dominate games.
Helping Players Build Confidence
One of Leslie favorite coaching success stories involved a player who had only been playing pickleball for about a year. Despite still developing technically, the athlete already understood many of the mental aspects of the game and became a strong doubles partner because of their positivity, awareness, and strategy.
Leslie believes mindset matters tremendously in pickleball. Because momentum swings happen quickly, players who become frustrated often spiral mentally during matches. He constantly reminds athletes to stay composed, communicate with teammates, and focus on consistency rather than perfection.
For Leslie, being a strong doubles partner is just as important as having technically perfect shots.
Staying Healthy While Playing Pickleball
Although pickleball is generally less physically demanding than tennis, Leslie stressed that the sport still places stress on the body — especially for older adults returning to exercise after years away from athletics.
Quick lateral movements and sudden changes of direction can lead to injuries if players are not careful. He encourages newer players to:
- Stretch regularly
- Build cardio gradually
- Listen to soreness
- Avoid overplaying
- Take recovery seriously
He noted that many injuries happen because players ignore warning signs and continue pushing through pain instead of allowing their bodies to recover properly.
Why Older Players Can Still Compete
One of the most fascinating aspects of pickleball is how older players can remain highly competitive against younger athletes. According to Leslie, doubles pickleball rewards consistency, positioning, and ball control more than raw athleticism.
Experienced players often frustrate younger opponents simply by:
- Keeping rallies alive
- Avoiding mistakes
- Reading the ball well
- Staying patient
- Controlling the pace of points
He explained that some of the toughest opponents are not necessarily the hardest hitters, but rather the players who consistently return every ball and force mistakes.
Competitive Pickleball Is Growing Rapidly
Leslie also discussed how quickly professional pickleball has expanded in recent years. Major League Pickleball (MLP), professional tournaments, sponsorships, and junior tours have all grown dramatically as the sport continues attracting new audiences.
Top professional players are now earning millions of dollars annually, and younger athletes are beginning to pursue pickleball much earlier than before.
For Leslie, seeing pickleball evolve from a recreational hobby into a legitimate professional sport has been exciting to watch.
What a Lesson With Leslie Lagerquist Looks Like
When coaching players one-on-one, Leslie tailors lessons entirely around each athlete’s current level and goals. However, nearly every session begins by reinforcing proper forehand drive technique because of how foundational that movement is to the game.
From there, sessions may focus on:
- Doubles strategy
- Shot placement
- Topspin mechanics
- Court movement
- Communication
- Net play
- Positioning
For beginners especially, Leslie focuses on helping players reach the point where they can comfortably join games, enjoy rallies, and feel confident stepping onto the court.
Why Pickleball Keeps People Coming Back
Near the end of the conversation, Leslie compared learning pickleball to learning guitar. At first, the sport can feel frustrating and awkward. But once players reach a certain comfort level, the game suddenly becomes incredibly rewarding and fun.
That combination of community, competition, strategy, and accessibility is exactly why pickleball continues exploding across the country — and why so many players keep coming back to the court.
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