Pickleball Legends Podcast — Evan Small & Guests
Coaching with Evan Small — Level 2 Pickleball England Coach
LEVEL 2 COACH COACHING 1-TO-1 & CLINICS
Paddle Ratings & Equipment Lab — ES Pickleball
0–100 LAB SCORES PADDLE LAB RATINGS & REVIEWS
PicklePals & Other Projects — Pickleball on Phone & Community
& Other Projects
Evan Small — Arms Crossed Evan Small — Arms Open
Find out more about me
EVAN SMALL · YOUNGEST LEVEL 2 PICKLEBALL ENGLAND COACH

Where passion meets the court.

From exclusive player interviews on Pickleball Legends and pro insights, to game tips, strategy breakdowns, and community stories with PicklePals and PSO—whether you’re a beginner learning the basics or a seasoned player chasing championship points, this is your home for everything pickleball.

Level 2 Coach Youngest Level 2 Pickleball England coach & PSO coach
4.5 Player Started in 2023 with zero prior racket-sport habits
28+ Episodes Host of the Pickleball Legends Podcast on YouTube
THE DIGITAL HUB

Highlights, player interviews, strategy & community.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the world—and here, we bring you the best of it all across four dedicated pillars.

01 Film Room · Strategy Breakdowns

Tactical Rally Breakdowns

Pausing real tournament and rec points to ask one simple question: “What did they see—and what shot gave them the highest margin?”

6 Interactive Film Studies
Open Film Room →
03 Equipment Reviews · Paddle Lab

Honest Paddle & Gear Testing

Real-world court testing beyond manufacturer marketing—breaking down dwell time, swingweight, sweet-spot forgiveness, and how a paddle actually behaves in transition resets.

Paddle Lab Matrix & Evan’s Bag
Explore Paddle Lab →
THE PLAYER 4.5 COMPETITOR · STARTED 2023 · ZERO RACKET-SPORT BACKGROUND

Starting from a blank slate in 2023—and turning it into an advantage.

Most players who cross over from tennis, squash, or badminton bring decades of muscle memory—along with habits they have to unlearn at the kitchen line. When I picked up a pickleball paddle in 2023, I had none of that.

Evan Small competing on court
EVAN SMALL · ES PICKLEBALL

19-year-old founder of ES Pickleball, 4.5-level tournament competitor, youngest Level 2 Pickleball England coach, and PSO coach.

THE 2023 ORIGIN

Why Having No Racket Background Helped Me

Without a massive baseline forehand to bail me out, I couldn’t win points by hitting harder than everyone else. I had to learn how to read body language early, spot weight transfers, take pace off the ball, and put opponents in uncomfortable spots.

Because I learned every step consciously from scratch, I remember exactly what feels confusing when you’re progressing—and how to unlock it without overcomplicating your swing.

EPISODE 23 · THE TABLES TURN

From Player to Youngest Level 2 Coach & PSO

After becoming the youngest Level 2 Pickleball England coach and taking on a coaching role with PSO, my dad Jonathan Small put me in the guest seat for Episode 23 of Pickleball Legends to talk about my journey, coaching insights, and why we started the channel.

THE COACH DECISION-MAKING OVER TEXTBOOK MECHANICS

You don’t need a textbook swing to outthink and outplay people.

Players often get stuck because they’re trying to pose for a textbook stroke while the ball is hurtling toward their feet. My coaching focuses on how you read situations and make calm decisions—so the game immediately feels half a second slower.

WHAT HOLDS PLAYERS BACK

Obsessing Over Textbook Mechanics

  • Thinking about wrist angles and elbow positions in the middle of a live rally
  • Trying to hit harder whenever you feel rushed or out of position
  • Believing you’re at a disadvantage if you didn’t grow up playing tennis
  • Walking away from a lesson with ten technical thoughts and tense shoulders
HOW WE WORK ON COURT

Game Understanding & Clear Decisions

  • Recognizing straight away whether you’re in a neutral, defending, or attacking spot
  • Choosing high-margin targets that buy you time and take away your opponent’s angles
  • Building simple, repeatable mechanics that work naturally with your body
  • Fixing where and why you hit the ball—which naturally cleans up how you hit it
THE COACHING PRINCIPLE
“If there’s a smile on your face, you’re learning.”

This isn’t a forced slogan—it’s how human learning works. When you’re frustrated or hyper-critical after an error, your peripheral vision narrows and your grip tightens. When you’re relaxed, curious, and enjoying the problem-solving on court, you absorb patterns twice as fast.

Work with Evan Small

1-to-1 on-court sessions, small-group tactical clinics, PSO coaching events, or remote film analysis of your games.

Explore Session Formats →
SAY HELLO DIRECT ENQUIRIES & COLLABORATIONS

If my approach resonates, let’s talk directly.

I keep coaching and project enquiries personal. Reach out directly via WhatsApp or email to chat about on-court sessions, remote film review, Pickleball Legends, or PicklePals & PSO events.

SELECT ENQUIRY TOPIC (UPDATES MESSAGE AUTOMATICALLY):
Court locations and session times are arranged directly once we connect.
ES PICKLEBALL · EVAN SMALL
“If there’s a smile on your face, you’re learning.”

Whether you picked up a paddle last month or you’re competing every weekend, the goal is the same: see the court clearer and enjoy every rally more.

— Evan Small · ES Pickleball