John Rodriguez

John - Pickleball Coach & Enthusiast

• John is a passionate pickleball player and coach from San Antonio, Texas, who has dedicated himself to growing both as a competitor and as a mentor within the sport. His journey began in 2022 after a friend introduced him to the game. Coming from a tennis background, John quickly adapted to pickleball and developed a love for its fast-paced, strategic nature. Over the past three and a half years, he has continued to sharpen his skills, gain experience, and build a strong understanding of the game.

• John attended Texas State University, where he studied Wildlife-related coursework. His educational background helped him develop discipline, patience, and strong work ethic qualities that carry into his coaching career. Today, he competes primarily in doubles play, where teamwork, communication, and strategy are just as important as technical skill.

• As a right-handed player with a DUPR rating of 3.5, John is known for bringing energy, focus, and consistency to every match. On the court he uses a Gearbox GX2 16mm paddle, a paddle that compliments his style of play. His game is characterized by hard drives, calculated power, and heavy topspin, allowing him to put pressure on opponents while maintaining control and precision.

• As a coach, John believes that one of the most rewarding aspects of pickleball is seeing players gain confidence and achieve goals they once thought were out of reach. His strengths as a coach include social skills, patience and strong skill comprehension. He is known for being encouraging and supportive, creating a positive environment where players feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes and learning from them.

• Playing Style: Aggressive doubles player known for powerful and strategic, utilizing hard drives and heavy top spin.

• Coaching Philosophy: "All about building confidence, comfort & enjoying the game. Believes every player can improve when skills are broken down into manageable steps & practicing with intention."