Coaching, strategy, and game analysis from professional pickleball player Erik Forsythe. Compete at the highest level.
Pro pickleball player Erik Forsythe competes on the PPA and APP Tours. A 6.0 DUPR athlete, he is the GM and coach of Brooklyn's Junior Major League team, helping develop the next generation through programs like Play with the Pro and Road to 4.0 / 5.0.
Erik has competed on the international stage including Global Pickleball in India and the MLP Australia Finals. He is a proud member of the Pickleball Heaven team, bringing elite level experience and leadership to the court.
Whether you are a recreational player looking to improve or a competitive athlete preparing for tournaments, Erik's coaching approach is direct, practical, and built on real pro experience. Sessions are fully tailored to where you are right now and where you want to go.
Live 1-on-1 sessions with Erik focused on strategy, shot selection, and technique. Tailored to your skill level and goals.
Send your match footage and receive a detailed pro-level breakdown of positioning, strategy, and specific improvements.
Exclusive 4-week small group program. 8 hours of elite instruction, 1:4 ratio, recorded sessions and advanced strategy.
Fill out the form below and Erik will be in touch within 24 hours to confirm your session.
Film from behind the baseline using your phone or a tripod. Capture the whole court, both teams, at least one full game.
Upload your footage and send the link with any specific questions about your game - strategy, shot patterns, positioning.
Erik watches your match and analyzes key points, strategy decisions, shot selection, and court positioning.
Get a detailed coaching report with specific insights and training recommendations to immediately improve your game.
Ideal for tournament prep, competitive league players, those improving their DUPR rating, or anyone wanting to understand their game at a deeper level.
Per 30 minutes of footage ยท Erik will respond within 24 hours
Taught exclusively by Erik Forsythe, this 4-week program is designed for advanced players who want elite-level instruction in a small group setting. With a 6.1 Doubles DUPR and experience on the biggest pro stages worldwide, Erik brings hands-on coaching focused on the shots and decisions that separate good players from great ones.
Call to Reserve: 631-456-0992Get notified the moment Erik announces a new clinic, special appearance, or upcoming match. No fluff - just the updates that matter to fans and players who want to follow along.
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Match highlights, training clips, quick tips & behind the scenes
Beyond coaching, Erik competes, leads, and represents brands at the highest level of the sport.
Erik is proudly sponsored by Ram Sports - a global performance pickleball brand built for elite competition. Offering world-class paddles, apparel, and accessories designed with pro players in mind, Ram Sports is the gear Erik trusts when he competes on the biggest stages in the sport.
Erik runs private lessons, clinics, and training programs at Pickleball Heaven - a premier facility for players of all levels. Book a lesson with Erik and train in a world-class environment.
Visit Pickleball Heaven โErik serves as General Manager and Head Coach of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team, a Junior MLP franchise. He leads player development, competitive strategy, and team culture - shaping the next generation of professional pickleball talent out of New York.
"A group of us recently went through a multi-session training with Erik at Pickleball Heaven, and the experience exceeded expectations. Erik brings a great mix of expertise, patience, and clear instruction that really helped us elevate our game. He broke things down in a way that made it easy to identify what we needed to improve and how to actually work on it. What stood out most was how intentional everything felt - from the drills to the strategy adjustments, it all had a purpose. I walked away with a much better understanding of my game and what it takes to keep progressing. If you're serious about improving, Erik is absolutely worth working with."
"The Road to 5.0 with Erik truly lives up to the hype. He targeted specific shots and weaknesses and showed the group how best to work on and develop each skill, then watched us drill it. His review of our games and in-game decisions was extremely valuable. Looking forward to more lessons and improving my game with Erik."
"My friends and I took the Road to 5.0 and Erik is the real deal! He opened my eyes to exactly what it takes to reach the 5.0 level. Erik provided a roadmap that highlighted our weaknesses and gave us the specific drills and mindset shifts needed to fix them. He completely transformed my strategy, shot selection, and practice habits. If you have the chance to train with him, do it - it's a total game changer."
"A few friends and I recently completed a four-session group program with Erik at Pickleball Heaven. He was extremely knowledgeable, patient and professional in helping our group move up to the next level of play. I highly recommend Erik to anyone looking to become a better player!"
Fill in the form and Erik will get back to you within 24 hours.
Follow Erik's professional career across MLP, PPA, and international leagues. See the same shots and strategy he coaches - executed at the highest level.
Competing at one of MLP's premier events on Randall's Island, New York. Men's doubles at the highest level of professional pickleball in the US.
CompetedErik represented at the MLP Australia Season Finals, competing internationally and showcasing elite-level doubles strategy on the global stage.
CompetedTwo seasons of the Global Sports India Premier League - one of the most competitive international pickleball events in the world, with medal results.
Competed ยท MedalistRepresenting the New York Hustlers in Major League Pickleball, bringing the home crowd energy to one of the sport's most exciting team formats.
CompetedErik competes across PPA Tour events as part of his professional schedule. Check the schedule below or follow on social media for upcoming match dates.
Check ScheduleStay in the loop on Erik's 2025 schedule. Subscribe to the newsletter or follow on social media to get notified when Erik's next match is announced.
Coming SoonThe easiest way to watch Erik compete is to follow on social media. He shares match updates, tournament highlights, and behind-the-scenes content regularly.
@forsythe.pb - match updates, tips, highlights
Updates, event announcements and highlights
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Every Tuesday, Erik shares one focused tip from his experience as a pro player. Bookmark this page or subscribe to get tips delivered to your inbox.
Most players get attacked at the kitchen because their dinks are too high or too centered. Keep your dink below the tape and aim for your opponent's backhand hip. A dink they can't attack is one they have to reset - that's when you take control of the rally.
Kitchen StrategyThe third shot drop isn't about power - it's about contact point. Most players make contact too close to their body, causing the ball to go long or pop up. Let the ball get out in front of you, stay low, and brush up through the ball. Practice this at half-speed first.
Shot MechanicsIn doubles, the middle of the court is the most dangerous gap. As a general rule, whoever is on the right side covers the middle - but communication is everything. Call it early. Most mid-court winners aren't because of skill; they're because of confusion between partners.
Doubles StrategyYour return of serve is one of the best weapons you have - most players just get it in and run to the kitchen. Instead, aim deep crosscourt with pace and immediately drive toward the non-volley zone. A deep, accurate return forces a weak third shot and sets you up to attack.
Return StrategyWhen your opponent is attacking and you're in a defensive position, don't try to counter-attack. Soft hands win resets. Take the pace off the ball, aim it short into the kitchen, and let your opponent have to reset their own attack. Being patient here wins more rallies than going for it.
DefenseStop playing not to lose. Most amateur players tighten up when they're ahead and start making unforced errors. The players who improve fastest are the ones who play each point the same - whether they're up 10-2 or down 2-10. Process over scoreboard, every rally.
Mental GameSubscribe to Erik's newsletter and get one focused pickleball tip delivered to your inbox every Tuesday - plus early access to new programs and tournament updates.
Subscribe FreeEverything you need to know before booking with Erik. Don't see your question here? Text or call 631-456-0992 and Erik will get back to you directly.
Fill out the lesson request form on the Book a Lesson page. Include your preferred session type, date, time, and what you'd like to work on. Erik will reach out within 24 hours to confirm the details and arrange payment. For a faster response, text him directly at 631-456-0992.
Erik offers both. Online coaching sessions are conducted live via video call and are available to players anywhere in the country. In-person lessons are available in the New York area. When you submit your request, just let Erik know which format you prefer and your location.
Erik works with players of all levels - from beginners picking up a paddle for the first time to competitive 4.5+ players preparing for tournaments. Sessions are fully tailored to where you are right now and where you want to go. No matter your level, you'll leave with something concrete to work on.
Sessions are available in 60-minute and 90-minute formats. Both private (1-on-1) and small group sessions are available. Erik's base rate starts at $150/hour - the final rate depends on the number of participants. Contact Erik directly for a group quote.
Bring your paddle, court shoes, water, and any questions you want answered. If you have specific shots or situations you struggle with, jot them down beforehand - the more context Erik has going in, the more targeted your session will be. For online sessions, just have a stable internet connection and enough space to demonstrate shots.
After purchasing a video analysis ($100 per 30 minutes of footage), you'll receive an email with upload instructions. You can share your footage via Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube (unlisted), or any file sharing link. Include any specific questions you want Erik to focus on - strategy, shot patterns, positioning, or a particular situation that keeps coming up in your matches.
For the most useful analysis, record from behind the baseline using a phone or tripod. Make sure the entire court is visible, including both teams during the rally. Try to capture at least one full game - longer is better. Avoid recording from the side or at court level, as this makes it difficult to see positioning and shot patterns clearly.
You'll receive a written breakdown covering: key patterns Erik noticed in your play, specific positioning and strategy decisions, shot selection feedback, and a personalized list of drills and focuses to work on. It's practical, specific feedback - not generic advice you could find anywhere.
Erik aims to return all video analyses within 5โ7 business days of receiving your footage. If you're preparing for an upcoming tournament and need it sooner, reach out directly - Erik will do his best to accommodate a faster turnaround.
The Road to 5.0 Series is built for advanced players - typically 4.0 and above - who want to push their game to the next level with elite instruction. If you're preparing for competitive tournaments, trying to improve your DUPR rating, or just want serious coaching in a small group setting, this program is for you.
The program includes 4 sessions over 4 weeks, each 2 hours long - totaling 8 hours of instruction. Groups are capped at 4 players maximum (1:4 ratio) so you get real coaching attention. All sessions are recorded for your review. Topics covered include advanced kitchen strategies, attacks at the kitchen, defensive skills from all areas of the court, and advanced 3rd & 5th shot decision making.
Call or text Erik at 631-456-0992 to check availability and reserve your spot. Spots are limited to 4 players per group, so availability fills quickly. Erik will confirm your session dates and handle payment directly.
After Erik confirms your session, he'll send a secure payment link. Payment is processed via Stripe - you can pay by credit card, debit card, or Apple/Google Pay. Payment is due to confirm your booking. For the Road to 5.0 program, payment arrangements can be discussed directly with Erik.
Life happens - Erik gets it. Please give at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations with 24+ hours notice can be rescheduled at no charge. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice may be subject to a partial session fee. If Erik ever needs to reschedule, you'll always be offered a full refund or a rescheduled session at no extra cost.
Text or call Erik directly at 631-456-0992 or email [email protected]. He's happy to answer any questions before you commit to anything. You can also use the contact form on the site and he'll respond within 24 hours.
No bots, no contact forms - just Erik. Text or call and he'll get back to you fast.