Warning to Coaches: A Pickleball Lesson Scam Targeting Sports Instructors

Pickleball Partners wants to make coaches, trainers, tutors, instructors, and small business owners aware of a suspected scam attempt that recently targeted our coaching business.

At first, the inquiry appeared completely legitimate.

A person contacted us looking to arrange private pickleball lessons for several homeschooled children. They were very flexible with scheduling, wanted multiple sessions each week, agreed to pricing quickly, and were interested in booking a larger block of lessons upfront.

Initially, it sounded like a motivated family looking to get their children involved in the sport.

However, several things gradually began to feel unusual:

• Very quick commitment with little hesitation

• Very few questions about the coach, facility, safety, or lesson structure

• Vague communication throughout the process

• No normal parent questions about supervision or program details

• Repeated emphasis that the children were “homeschooled” and available anytime

• No discussion about attending or supervising the first session

The situation became clearly suspicious on the morning of the scheduled lesson.

We were suddenly informed that a “driver” would be bringing the children and that the driver needed to be paid upfront before leaving. We were then asked to e-transfer money to the driver and were told we would supposedly receive the cash back from the children when they arrived.

At that point, the sessions were immediately cancelled.

After researching further, we discovered that this appears to follow a known scam pattern that has reportedly targeted:

• sports coaches

• pickleball instructors

• personal trainers

• tutors

• music teachers

• fitness instructors

• independent small business operators

The pattern often works like this:

1. A seemingly legitimate client reaches out for youth lessons or services.

2. They commit very quickly and seem unusually flexible.

3. They agree to multiple sessions or larger packages upfront.

4. A third party is introduced — often a “driver,” “assistant,” or “caregiver.”

5. The instructor is asked to send money to that third party.

6. The original payment later turns out to be fake, fraudulent, reversed, or stolen.

The key warning sign is simple:

Never send money to a third party as part of a lesson booking arrangement.

Additional Safety Recommendations for Coaches & Instructors

As private coaching and youth instruction continue to grow, coaches should strongly consider implementing clear professional safeguards:

• Require a deposit before reserving court time or lesson blocks

• Be skeptical of unsolicited inquiries that immediately want large lesson packages

• Ask how they heard about you or your business

• If something feels unusual, ask for references or mutual connections

• Avoid meeting new clients alone in isolated locations

• Hold first lessons in public facilities or organized club environments whenever possible

• Require a parent or guardian to remain present during the first youth session

• Collect full parent contact information and emergency contacts

• Use waivers and intake forms for youth programming

• Keep all communication professional and documented

• Accept payment only directly from the client or parent

• Never agree to unusual payment arrangements involving drivers, assistants, caregivers, or reimbursements through minors

• Trust your instincts if something feels off

Unfortunately, scammers often target independent coaches, trainers, tutors, and small businesses because many operate through trust-based relationships and flexible payment systems.

This warning is not meant to create fear, but to encourage coaches and instructors to operate with clear professional policies and healthy skepticism when something feels unusual.

Most clients and families are genuine and honest.

But awareness, professionalism, and proper safeguards protect both instructors and legitimate clients.

Please consider sharing this warning with coaches, trainers, instructors, tutors, and youth program operators in your network.

— Pickleball Partners

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