Big Sarge Pickleball — Coach Ronnie Vengua

Coaching

Built for players who want to win.

Every session is grounded in tactics and strategy — the same structured, methodical approach Coach Ronnie learned in the Army's Basic Instructor Course, applied to the pickleball court.

Private Coaching

1-on-1 sessions built around your game — covering multiple game situations, fundamentals, and match-day decision making.

Group Clinics

Same-level small-group sessions — beginner fundamentals through advanced tactics, run like a real training program.

Tactics & Strategy

For the intermediate player who has the fundamentals down and wants to learn to win — court positioning, patterns, and pressure.

Beginner Fundamentals

New to the sport? Start with learning the fundamentals — the same building blocks 190+ students have learned.

Tournament Prep

Competing soon? Focused sessions on scouting, doubles communication, and closing out tight games under pressure.

Paddle & Gear Consulting

As Co-Owner/Director of Sales at Mars Pickle Paddle Company, Coach Ronnie can help you find the right paddle setup for your game and budget.

Rates

Pickleball Instruction Rates

Private and group sessions run 90 minutes. PPR Instructor Member #137-689.

Individual

1-on-1 · 90 min 10% off your first lesson

$90per lesson

Two Students

2 players · 90 min

$75per student

Three & Me

3 students + coach · 90 min

$65per student

Group of Four

4 students · 90 min

$55per person

Rates above are plus a court reservation fee where the venue charges one.

Best Value

Five 1:1 Lesson Bundle

Five private 90-minute lessons — court reservation fee included.

$477all in

Pickleball Fundamentals Class

$36 per student

Minimum 4, maximum 6 students · 90 min. Grip, stance, the kitchen rule, and rally control.

Try Pickleball

$45 per person

A 30-minute intro session to see if the sport is for you. Plus court reservation fee where applicable.

Court reservation fee is added only where the venue charges one.
Same-day student cancellations are $30, plus the court reservation fee where applicable.

The Method

How a training session actually works.

Three phases, borrowed straight from an Army instructional design background — built to make improvement repeatable, not accidental.

Fig. 01 — Diagnostic

Step 01

Observe, Assess & Discuss

Every player plays first, so we can identify strengths and growth opportunities together. No cookie-cutter lesson plans — the first step is pinpointing what's on and what's off in your game.

Fig. 02 — Repetition

Step 02

Closed Drill Instruction

Structured, proven drills modeled after leading pickleball professionals — built to create muscle memory, not just going with the flow.

Fig. 03 — Match Play

Step 03

Simulated Match Play

Competitive match play through live-ball scenarios and situational strategy — so what's learned on the drill line shows up in competitive play.

Coach Ronnie Vengua on the pickleball court with his Mars paddle

Coach Ronnie · Arlington, VA

About Coach Ronnie

The heartbeat of pickleball.

Hi, I'm Coach Ronnie — a Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) Certified Level II Instructor and Active Duty Soldier stationed in the National Capital Region. I've competed in multiple tournaments and medaled in both Men's and Mixed Doubles.

My true passion is recreational play — "the heartbeat of pickleball." As a self-proclaimed Recreational Players' Coach, I focus on teaching the tactics and strategy that help intermediate-plus players win at the advanced level.

PPR Level II Certified Army Instructor Certified Veterans in Pickleball, Board Member

Read the Full Story

The Mission

Serving since 2006, Coach Ronnie earned the rank of Master Sergeant in the Army National Guard. As the Quality Assurance Evaluator NCOIC at Fort Gordon, GA, he observed and evaluated Army instructors. Trained as a Course Developer and Army Instructor himself, that's where he built the structured, standards-first teaching approach he now brings to the pickleball court.

Master Sergeant Ronnie Vengua in U.S. Army uniform

The Court

Pickleball found Coach Ronnie the way it finds most people — having fun with friends. What started as recreational play turned into medal finishes at his local tournaments, and a self-proclaimed obsession with sharpening his game.

Coach Ronnie with players at a USA Pickleball tournament

The Communities

At Fort Gordon, GA, Coach Ronnie built a pickleball community from zero to 323+ members, launched a free lunchtime coaching series for Soldiers and civilians, and earned a Regimental Command Sergeant Major coin for the impact. In Virginia, he founded the NGB Pickleballers — now 71+ members and growing.

Coach Ronnie's pickleball community on court

Big Sarge Pickleball LLC

Coach Ronnie turned that momentum into Big Sarge Pickleball LLC — coaching, paddle sales, and consulting — and partnered as Co-Owner/Director of Sales at Mars Pickle Paddle Company, helping pickleball players save over 83% versus market paddle prices.

Coach Ronnie with a fellow player, both holding Mars paddles

The Blueprint

Today, as a PPR Level II Certified Coach with Arlington County Parks & Recreation, Ronnie coaches 190+ students and maintains a coach resource library on tactics and groundstrokes — bringing the same discipline that built his military career to every player who steps on the court with him.

Coach Ronnie instructing a group at the net

Track Record

Built from the ground up — twice.

2009 – Present

Network Enterprise Center Manager, Master Sergeant — Virginia Army National Guard

Leads development and operation of IT infrastructure, network, and security within the DoD network. Mentors 15 soldiers and 100 contractors in their career development.

Oct 2023 – Mar 2024

Founding Member, Ike's Pickleball Club — Fort Gordon, GA

Built the Fort Gordon pickleball community from scratch to 323+ members. Created a free lunchtime coaching series for soldiers and civilians, and was awarded a Regimental Command Sergeant Major coin for the work.

Jan 2023 – Mar 2024

Pickleball Host — Wilson YMCA Athletic Department, Augusta, GA

Grew the YMCA's Pickleball After Hours program by 100% and attendance by 70%. Founded a Before Hours series that generated new revenue for the program.

Mar 2024 – Present

PPR Certified Coach Level II — Arlington County Parks & Recreation

Develops improvement programs for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players (190+ students). Built a coach resource library on tactics and groundstrokes for county coaches.

Mar 2024 – Present

Founding Member, NGB Pickleballers — Arlington, VA

Founded the National Guard Bureau's pickleball community, now 71+ members and growing. Volunteered to train 45 soldiers, airmen, and civilians in pickleball fundamentals.

May 2024 – Present

Co-Owner / Director of Sales — Mars Pickle Paddle Company

Promotes Northern Virginia-made paddles at over 83% savings for consumers versus market rates, and set a company sales record — 43 paddles sold in under 8 days.

Pro Shop

Coach Ronnie's Pickleball Paddles of Choice

As Co-Owner and Director of Sales at Mars Pickle Paddle Company, Ronnie sells direct — often at well below market pricing. Every paddle is customizable, no online checkout.

Mars Pickle Paddle Co. · #BIGSARGEPOWER

Mercury 88

The paddle Coach Ronnie plays, trusts, and builds his game around. Get set up direct with the model he reps — he'll walk you through the specs and get you the best price.

Mars Pickle Paddle Co. Customizable

Email to Purchase Text to Purchase

Contact for current pricing and availability — sold direct by Coach Ronnie, no online checkout.

Full specs — Mercury 88 (Gen5)

Weight7.8–8.1 oz

Swing Weight114

Twist Weight7.2

Paddle Length16 1/4"

Width7.75"

Grip5.25" L · 4 1/4" circ

Core MaterialMartian Multi-Foam Density · Diving Board Core · 16mm thickness

SurfaceExtreme Martian Carbon Fiber

More from the Mars lineup

Two more Gen3 paddles Coach Ronnie sells direct — same deal as the Mercury 88: message him and he'll get you set up at the best price. No online checkout.

Mars Pickle Paddle Co. · GEN3-16

Nebula

Mars' heavyweight in Gen3 carbon — max weight distribution for serious power and a rock-stable feel. The paddle Coach Ronnie sets up for players who want to drive the ball with confidence. Customizable.

GEN3-16 Series Customizable

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Full specs

Weight8.0 oz

Swing Weight130

Twist Weight7.2

Paddle Length16 1/4"

Width7.75"

Grip5.25" L · 4 3/8" circ

Core MaterialGen3 Polypropylene · 10mm cell · EVA foam floating core · 16mm thickness

SurfaceDuPont™ Nebula Kevlar® Blend

Mars Pickle Paddle Co. · GEN3-16

El Gordo

A power wide-body with real mass behind it — the El Gordo brings explosive drives and a rigid, stable face to eat up the competition. Gen3 carbon, customizable, sold direct by Coach Ronnie.

GEN3-16 Series Customizable

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Full specs

Weight8.1–8.3 oz

Swing Weight112

Twist Weight7.26

Paddle Length15.9"

Width8.1"

Grip5.5" L · 4 1/4" circ

Core MaterialGen3 Polypropylene · 10mm cell · EVA foam floating core · 16mm thickness

SurfaceDuPont™ Nebula Kevlar® Blend

Want a custom setup?

A different paddle, a custom look, or a specific build — tell Ronnie exactly what you're after and he'll put together a quote. Just describe it below and it goes straight to him.

Your name

Learn more & support

Visit

These are Coach Ronnie's partner brands — using his links and codes supports his coaching and community work at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Common questions.

Coach Ronnie works with players from beginner fundamentals through advanced tournament prep, but his specialty is intermediate-plus players ready to learn tactics and strategy, not just strokes.

Sessions are based in Arlington, VA and the greater DMV area. Exact court locations are confirmed when you book.

Private coaching is best for fast, focused progress on your specific game. Group clinics are great for structured skill-building alongside other players at your level. Message Coach Ronnie and he'll help you pick.

Not necessarily — as Co-Owner/Director of Sales at Mars Pickle Paddle Company, Coach Ronnie can also help you find the right paddle for your game and budget.

Send a message through the contact form, email, or Instagram with your skill level and availability, and Coach Ronnie will follow up directly to confirm a time.

Reviews

What players are saying

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Built for players who want to win.

Private Coaching

Group Clinics

Tactics & Strategy

Beginner Fundamentals

Tournament Prep

Paddle & Gear Consulting

Pickleball Instruction Rates

Individual

Two Students

Three & Me

Group of Four

Five 1:1 Lesson Bundle

Pickleball Fundamentals Class

Try Pickleball

How a training session actually works.

Observe, Assess & Discuss

Closed Drill Instruction

Simulated Match Play

The heartbeat of pickleball.

The Mission

The Court

The Communities

Big Sarge Pickleball LLC

The Blueprint

Built from the ground up — twice.

Network Enterprise Center Manager, Master Sergeant — Virginia Army National Guard

Founding Member, Ike's Pickleball Club — Fort Gordon, GA

Pickleball Host — Wilson YMCA Athletic Department, Augusta, GA

PPR Certified Coach Level II — Arlington County Parks & Recreation

Founding Member, NGB Pickleballers — Arlington, VA

Co-Owner / Director of Sales — Mars Pickle Paddle Company

See it in action.

Coach Ronnie's Pickleball Paddles of Choice

Mercury 88

More from the Mars lineup

Nebula

El Gordo

Want a custom setup?

The gear Ronnie plays — and your discount.

Kitchen Blockers

Ethos Pickleball

Mythos Paddles

Enigma Pickleball

Palakol Performance

Montis Pickleball

Bodhi Performance

Swell Pickleball

Bear Naked Pickleball

Chorus Pickleball

Veterans in Pickleball

Common questions.

Who is this coaching for?

Where do sessions take place?

Private lesson or group clinic — which should I choose?

Do I need my own paddle?

How do I book a session?

What players are saying

Be the first to leave a review

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Ready to bring some discipline to your game?

Let's get you on the court.

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