About the Author
Hello and WELCOME to Pickleball CPR - Coaching Pickleball Readiness.
My name is Claudia Fontana and I, like you I'm betting, LOVE pickleball. That's why you are here.
Let me introduce myself:
I have a background of over 35+ years in teaching health and physical education and have coached multiple sports at all levels of play, in and out of the school setting. My playing, teaching, and coaching experiences have covered my lifetime of over 50 years in volleyball, basketball, softball, golf, track, soccer, geocaching and, yes, even a little rugby. If it could be played, I would try it. There's a few more in there I'm sure.
I was inducted into the Independence High School Hall of Fame in 2001. It was quite an honor to be a recipient of that award, to say the least. I lettered in three sports in high school and hold 12 varsity letters from Heidelberg College, now known as Heidelberg University.
I've had many successful years of coaching varsity volleyball and fast-pitch softball at the high school level as well as in the middle school and lower levels. I coached several championship teams, received coach-of-the-year awards and, achieved multiple winning seasons in all of the sports I've coached.
My degree in Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance was an easy fit when I made my final decision of my life's career path. I taught over 30 years in a brick-and-mortar setting and still teach in many capacities as well tried my hand in the virtual classroom. I love to share my knowledge and experience with those who are eager to learn and try new things.
My specialty in the teaching world began with the special needs population. I have a Master's Degree in adapted physical education and am a nationally certified adapted physical education instructor. I was blessed to have the ability, not only to play sports but to help those who had limited skills feel as though they were playing at their highest level. Teaching students with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Visually Impaired, Down Syndrome and more, I developed a style of teaching to not only make it educational but fun. Fontana's Fun House of Fitness was the sign above my gym door.
I find teaching a joy and a challenge at times, but I'm always trying to find a better way to make things happen or get those who believe they can't to believing it is possible.
I've also found that being a female athlete from the early 70's gave me strength to overcome obstacles and reach for a higher level of experiences when I could. With that, the aches and pains of a seasoned athlete have taken its toll on this here body. Two knees replaced, two new hips, several nose surgeries shoulder and wrist surgery along with ankle issues, I keep pushing forward to keep the joints moving. When I can't play or move, I teach. It's just in my blood and who I am.
I have become a student of the game of pickleball. I Actually started teaching it when I was teaching in the schools over 20 years ago. My recent competitive juices have made me want more. Playing in some state and local tournaments, I have advanced from the 2.5 ranking to the 4.0 ranking by the USAP standards. So, by taking those small experiences and meshing them together with my past, I decided to put that college education and my life's athletic experiences into teaching and growing pickleball in my area of the world. Once I got really hooked I never looked back.
Helping local communities start programs, build outdoor courts, giving clinics and teaching individuals how the game is played and how they can improve with practice just makes me smile. To be retired from the schoolhouse, and to be free to teach the world on my own time makes life good. I thank God above for those blessings.
I have worked with several local athletes in practice sessions and have watched them gain valuable skill development with both drills I've looked up, and many that I have designed myself. Several of those individuals have gone from 3.0 medalist to 5.0 ....gold medal winners in all categories: doubles, singles, and mixed doubles.
So when I really got serious about coaching pickleball, I looked for drill books as I had done when I coached volleyball and softball. I had them all but, to my surprise, there were few actually written down drills in one place for someone who wants to practice or coach. Thus, my next adventure and dream – book writing.
Pickleball CPR Drills - Coaching Pickleball Readiness was born and is still a top selling pickleball drills book. In this edition of the book, you'll learn how to view the court in a unique and simple way to teach or work on specific placement of shots. Communication in sports is so important and pickleball is no different. With over 120 drills and activities at your fingertips in an easy to read, spiral bound book or eBook, you'll have drills for a one player skill to multiple-player skills in one round or drilling. Learn how to use teaching tools that will assist you in demonstrating skill techniques to your students or how to make practice sessions more organized.
I've dedicated my book to some very dear friends whom I've had the pleasure to become close with on and off the court as Ambassadors to the sport. We meet at a retreat in Tahoe and quickly became fast friends. We represent as a group from all corners of the country. Susan Kaminsky from New York, Theresa Connaughton from Texas, Stephanie McDonald from Colorado, Lisa Brochetti from Pennsylvania and Gigi Guerra now rom Arizone. Several of us still gather at least once a year to share pickleball, life and laughs. They were a strong inspiration to the development to start this adventure. I thank them and always wish them love and happiness.
Well, I leave you here and hope you'll return often. On the following pages of my site I have a few small samples of some of the drills I have designed as well as the CPR Video Clinic where you can watch drills in animated action. It's an ever-changing development, but I am sure you'll find several drills for those of you who want drills, drills, and more drills. We cannot improve our game just through play, without it taking a long time. Practicing the right way, and eliminating habits during workout time, is when the mistakes should take place and when they can be corrected. Game time is for fun and letting our practice techniques take effect, but game time is game time and the win is what we play for in the end. Drills designed to improve your game and drills for fun combined, make for a more enjoyable experience on the court.
Take a look for yourself at the finished product. Your game, like those I have coached, will rise to a new level.
You can get your hard copy here in the SHOP link and get a eBook version from Amazon. Go to the SHOP link for all that is PickleballCPR.com
If you or your club are interested in hosting a pickleball clinic let's set it up and get your group playing with the proper fundamental of the game.
See you on the court.
Claudia
My name is Claudia Fontana and I, like you I'm betting, LOVE pickleball. That's why you are here.
Let me introduce myself:
I have a background of over 35+ years in teaching health and physical education and have coached multiple sports at all levels of play, in and out of the school setting. My playing, teaching, and coaching experiences have covered my lifetime of over 50 years in volleyball, basketball, softball, golf, track, soccer, geocaching and, yes, even a little rugby. If it could be played, I would try it. There's a few more in there I'm sure.
I was inducted into the Independence High School Hall of Fame in 2001. It was quite an honor to be a recipient of that award, to say the least. I lettered in three sports in high school and hold 12 varsity letters from Heidelberg College, now known as Heidelberg University.
I've had many successful years of coaching varsity volleyball and fast-pitch softball at the high school level as well as in the middle school and lower levels. I coached several championship teams, received coach-of-the-year awards and, achieved multiple winning seasons in all of the sports I've coached.
My degree in Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance was an easy fit when I made my final decision of my life's career path. I taught over 30 years in a brick-and-mortar setting and still teach in many capacities as well tried my hand in the virtual classroom. I love to share my knowledge and experience with those who are eager to learn and try new things.
My specialty in the teaching world began with the special needs population. I have a Master's Degree in adapted physical education and am a nationally certified adapted physical education instructor. I was blessed to have the ability, not only to play sports but to help those who had limited skills feel as though they were playing at their highest level. Teaching students with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Visually Impaired, Down Syndrome and more, I developed a style of teaching to not only make it educational but fun. Fontana's Fun House of Fitness was the sign above my gym door.
I find teaching a joy and a challenge at times, but I'm always trying to find a better way to make things happen or get those who believe they can't to believing it is possible.
I've also found that being a female athlete from the early 70's gave me strength to overcome obstacles and reach for a higher level of experiences when I could. With that, the aches and pains of a seasoned athlete have taken its toll on this here body. Two knees replaced, two new hips, several nose surgeries shoulder and wrist surgery along with ankle issues, I keep pushing forward to keep the joints moving. When I can't play or move, I teach. It's just in my blood and who I am.
I have become a student of the game of pickleball. I Actually started teaching it when I was teaching in the schools over 20 years ago. My recent competitive juices have made me want more. Playing in some state and local tournaments, I have advanced from the 2.5 ranking to the 4.0 ranking by the USAP standards. So, by taking those small experiences and meshing them together with my past, I decided to put that college education and my life's athletic experiences into teaching and growing pickleball in my area of the world. Once I got really hooked I never looked back.
Helping local communities start programs, build outdoor courts, giving clinics and teaching individuals how the game is played and how they can improve with practice just makes me smile. To be retired from the schoolhouse, and to be free to teach the world on my own time makes life good. I thank God above for those blessings.
I have worked with several local athletes in practice sessions and have watched them gain valuable skill development with both drills I've looked up, and many that I have designed myself. Several of those individuals have gone from 3.0 medalist to 5.0 ....gold medal winners in all categories: doubles, singles, and mixed doubles.
So when I really got serious about coaching pickleball, I looked for drill books as I had done when I coached volleyball and softball. I had them all but, to my surprise, there were few actually written down drills in one place for someone who wants to practice or coach. Thus, my next adventure and dream – book writing.
Pickleball CPR Drills - Coaching Pickleball Readiness was born and is still a top selling pickleball drills book. In this edition of the book, you'll learn how to view the court in a unique and simple way to teach or work on specific placement of shots. Communication in sports is so important and pickleball is no different. With over 120 drills and activities at your fingertips in an easy to read, spiral bound book or eBook, you'll have drills for a one player skill to multiple-player skills in one round or drilling. Learn how to use teaching tools that will assist you in demonstrating skill techniques to your students or how to make practice sessions more organized.
I've dedicated my book to some very dear friends whom I've had the pleasure to become close with on and off the court as Ambassadors to the sport. We meet at a retreat in Tahoe and quickly became fast friends. We represent as a group from all corners of the country. Susan Kaminsky from New York, Theresa Connaughton from Texas, Stephanie McDonald from Colorado, Lisa Brochetti from Pennsylvania and Gigi Guerra now rom Arizone. Several of us still gather at least once a year to share pickleball, life and laughs. They were a strong inspiration to the development to start this adventure. I thank them and always wish them love and happiness.
Well, I leave you here and hope you'll return often. On the following pages of my site I have a few small samples of some of the drills I have designed as well as the CPR Video Clinic where you can watch drills in animated action. It's an ever-changing development, but I am sure you'll find several drills for those of you who want drills, drills, and more drills. We cannot improve our game just through play, without it taking a long time. Practicing the right way, and eliminating habits during workout time, is when the mistakes should take place and when they can be corrected. Game time is for fun and letting our practice techniques take effect, but game time is game time and the win is what we play for in the end. Drills designed to improve your game and drills for fun combined, make for a more enjoyable experience on the court.
Take a look for yourself at the finished product. Your game, like those I have coached, will rise to a new level.
You can get your hard copy here in the SHOP link and get a eBook version from Amazon. Go to the SHOP link for all that is PickleballCPR.com
If you or your club are interested in hosting a pickleball clinic let's set it up and get your group playing with the proper fundamental of the game.
See you on the court.
Claudia
