Coach Mark Programs and Services (2021)

Workout with Coach Mark

Are you looking to improve by playing against a 4.5 rated player? Would you like to practice one-on-one with an IPTPA Certified Pickleball Coach, Teaching Professional, and Rating Specialist?

Workout with Coach Mark provides an opportunity for you to develop the control, consistency, and confidence necessary to move up in skill-level. In these rigorous workouts, Coach Mark will lead you through drills and drill games in The Coach Mark Video Series©. Several of Coach Mark’s clients and students schedule regular weekly workouts to improve skills and performance. Contact Coach Mark if you’re ready for a serious and focused workout.

Skills Development Plan

Are you serious about improving your pickleball skills and gameplay performance? Do you have a specific goal to reach a higher skill rating (e.g., 3.0, 3.5, or 4.0)?

If so, Coach Mark will assess your current level of skill and craft an action plan to help you prepare for and pass the applicable IPTPA Skill Level Rating Test. The action plan will be designed collaboratively and support your schedule, budget, and goal. It will encompass all of the regular lessons, drills, practice sessions, videotaped gameplay, and even match play experiences necessary to get you ready for the next level. Contact Coach Mark to discuss your goal for skill level improvement.

IPTPA Skill Level Rating Tests

Do you have something more than a self-rating of pickleball skill? Would you like to receive an accurate and fair assessment of your skill level? Would you like to learn what it takes to move up in skill?

In December 2020, Coach Mark became a Certified Rating Specialist through IPTPA, the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association. The IPTPA Rating System is an objective and standardized process used internationally to evaluate the skill and performance of players.

Coach Mark utilizes the IPTPA Rating System as a performance-based measure of skill improvement. He incorporates the testing protocol into his Skill Level Improvement Plans for players at all levels of skill. As with any competency- or performance-based test, you won’t be surprised by the expectations and standards needed to advance to the next level. Contact Coach Mark for more information or to schedule a Skill Level Rating Test.

Introduction to Pickleball

Are you interested in learning how to play the game of pickleball the right way?

Coach Mark’s Introduction to the Game of Pickleball program for new players is a series of five, one-hour lessons. At the end of this program, players will be able to:

Describe the three most important rules of pickleball.
Understand the techniques and mechanics needed to hit any shot in pickleball.
Practice hitting dinks, drops, drives, volleys, serves (including the new drop serve), and returns of serve.
Learn how to score and keep correct court positioning during doubles play.

Improve Your Doubles Play

Most pickleball players have never been taught to play doubles. Or, been exposed to effective strategies for improving performance and winning more games or matches. Is this true for you?

Coach Mark’s Improve Your Doubles Play program is a series of four, 2-hour coached gameplay sessions for players seeking to learn a more systematic approach to doubles play. The program design acknowledges, references, and builds on the key concepts presented in Dynamite Doubles (by Helle Sparre) and Dominating Doubles (by Primetime Pickleball).

At the end of these coached gameplay sessions, you (and your partner if you have one) will be able to:

Describe the roles and responsibilities of each player in doubles.
Understand how to play high quality pickleball in each section of the court.
Eliminate bad choices that lead to mistakes, confusion, and unforced errors.
Improve play by breaking down common “game situations.”
Practice a variety of drills instrumental for improved doubles play.

Improve Your Singles Play

Many players new to the sport of pickleball come from tennis (Coach Mark did). And many younger players (including juniors) love to play singles pickleball. So, how about you? Would you like to learn from and practice against a 4.5 rated player and coach who competes in singles tournament events?

In four, 2-hour coached gameplay and practice sessions, Coach Mark will share “lessons learned” from his 2021 Winter Trip to Arizona. During his trip, Coach Mark had the opportunity to learn how to play championship-level singles from a 5.0 player who previously competed for a national title in his age/skill bracket. Contact Coach Mark for more information.

Special Events at the Birch Bay Activity Center 2021

Introduction to the Game of Pickleball

Are you interested in learning how to play the game of pickleball the right way?

Coach Mark’s Introduction to the Game of Pickleball program for new players is a series of five, one-hour lessons. At the end of this program, players will be able to:

Describe the three most important rules of pickleball.
Understand the techniques and mechanics needed to hit any shot in pickleball.
Practice hitting dinks, drops, drives, volleys, serves (including the new drop serve), and returns of serve.
Learn how to score and keep correct court positioning during doubles play.

Coach Mark will be delivering Introduction to the Game of Pickleball on the outside courts at BBAC on May 7, 14, 21, and 28. All sessions are one-hour in length, except for the May 28^th session (which is two hours).

The program is $40 per person and registration is capped at eight players. A minimum of six players is required to conduct the program.

Youth Pickleball Camps

Do you know of a teen or child between the ages of 12-18 interested in learning the game of pickleball? Would you like to participate in the inaugural event of BBAC’s new Junior Development Program?

During the spring and summer of 2021, Birch Bay Activity Center will host three pickleball camps for youth, ages 12-18. These camps will be conducted on three Saturday afternoons this summer from 2-5 p.m. (June 5, July 10, and August 14).

Directed by Coach Mark, each camp will provide girls, boys, and young adults with an opportunity to learn about pickleball and participate in fun activities that develop eye-to-hand coordination and basic pickleball skills. All players will receive a special gift and both parents and players will learn about future plans for the Junior Development Program at BBAC.

Enrollment will be capped at eight players to ensure everyone has a safe and rewarding experience. The cost is $30 per players and scholarships are available. Contact BBAC for additional details.

Pickleball Burn™

Pickleball Burn™ is a one-hour group class led by Coach Mark for players seeking to improve their conditioning, agility, and skills. Each class is fast-paced, fun, and features custom-designed drills and games guaranteed to get your heart and blood pumping!

There are a variety of drill patterns and cardio circuits utilized in Pickleball Burn™, including Drive and Switch, Scramble and Drop, Transition Zone Crush, Beat the Bounce, and much more.

The first two Pickleball Burns™ are scheduled for May 15 and 22 from 1-2 p.m. on the outside courts at BBAC. Cost per session is $7.50 per player. Each Pickleball Burn™ class is limited to eight players (six minimum).

Are you ready to burn those calories and improve your fitness and skills?

Workout with Coach Kathy and Coach Mark

Are you a 3.0-4.5 player looking to develop the control, consistency, and confidence required to advance in skill level or play high-quality pickleball?

If so, then a special event at BBAC on August 21-22 will help you get ready to play at a higher level of skill and performance (as well as pass the IPTPA Rating Test if that is one of your goals).

In August, BBAC will host a special event featuring Coach Kathy Pederson and Coach Mark Livingston. Both pickleball coaches are IPTPA Certified Teaching Professionals and Rating Specialists. Coach Kathy lives and coaches in Park City, Utah and Surprise, Arizona. Coach Mark lives in Blaine and coaches at various venues in the Pacific Northwest, including BBAC.

Coach Kathy and Coach Mark will lead you through a series of rigorous drills and drills games they’ve created in The Coach Mark Video Series©. Each 2-hour Workout is limited to eight players per session in order to ensure you experience a rigorous workout with fellow participants and two coaches skill-rated at 5.0 (Kathy) and 4.5 (Mark).

Are you ready for a fast-paced workout and practice session? Then, be sure to signup for Workout with Coach Kathy and Coach Mark! Cost is $30 per player.

BBAC Mini-Tournaments

Do you and your doubles partner need to get ready for a tournament? Would you like to experience high-level play against 3.5-4.0 rated players?

In summer 2021, Birch Bay Activity Center will be the site of two mini-tournaments for players in the 3.5-4.0 skill levels. Each mini-tournament will span three hours on Saturday, June 19 and Saturday, July 17. The tournament will start at 2 p.m. and conclude around 5 p.m.

Directed by Coach Mark, each mini-tournament will be capped at twelve players. Doubles teams are encouraged to sign up and use these events as practice sessions and workouts for upcoming tournament play (e.g., the Seattle Metro Classic in late July). We will use a round-robin format and the top finishers will vie for gold, silver, and bronze prizes.

A minimum of eight players is required to conduct the mini-tournament. The cost for this excellent practice and competitive experience is $30 per person.