Sara Ash Pickleball

About Sara

Pickleball Coach

My name is Sara Ash, a three-time national medalist. I have won more than 100 tournament medals, more than half of which were earned at the 5.0 skill level. I am based in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona, and have co-authored several pickleball e-books.

My passion for delivering high-quality training programs has taken me from Arizona to Alaska, Minnesota, Portland, and many cities in between. In addition to the two-day pickleball camps I conduct with my doubles partner, Steve Wong, I teach a variety of clinics, including How to Play Winning Pickleball and Have Fun, Speedball, Preparing for Tournament Pickleball, and Video-Based Pickleball Assessment and Training.

“Play with Purpose” is my pickleball mantra for two reasons. First, the phrase represents the primary focus of my pickleball training programs. Too many players hit the ball as if they were swatting flies—they swing at their target with the sole objective of making contact. When swatting flies, we do not really care about the direction the poor fly takes after we hit it. In pickleball, however, where the ball goes after contact is critically important.

Every time you swing at the ball, you should have a target in mind for where you want it to land. Once you learn how to target your shots and hit those targets consistently, you are well on your way to becoming a great pickleball player. This is the central element of how you “play with purpose” on the court.

Your opponents are likely to be strategically positioned to give themselves the best chance of returning your shots. To win points, you must be able to target your shots between your opponents, down the sidelines, at their feet, or over their heads. This is why you should have a target in mind for every shot you take.

To play winning pickleball, you need to keep your eye on the ball while your brain focuses on where and how you hit it—with power, spin, or a soft touch. Becoming a strong pickleball player requires training both your body and your mind. My training programs can help you achieve these objectives while recognizing the unique physical strengths and challenges of each individual player.

You will learn alternative pickleball strategies and develop the critical skills needed to put those strategies into action. Whether you plan to compete in tournaments or simply enjoy recreational play, being able to play well enhances the experience. Pickleball truly is more fun when it is played well, and strong skills allow you to enjoy the game with players of all ages and skill levels.

In 2023, I had the pleasure of playing in the inaugural season of the Arizona Pickleball League (NPL) on Tuesday Night Pickleball at the Orchard. Although our team, the Stingers, did not make the playoffs, I had a blast competing in both Mixed and Women’s Doubles. I also had the honor of hitting the ceremonial first serve that initiated play in the league. The picture below captures the moment just before that serve, along with additional photos from our first season.

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