Raising the Bar: Why IPOP Trains Coaches with IPTPA

At IPOP, we don’t settle. We build world-class facilities. We create bold, inclusive communities. We host unforgettable events.

And when it comes to coaching? We partner with the best — so you can become your best.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA) as our official coaching certification partner.

Because IPOP is the best.

Therefore, we want the best coaches.

Why?

So YOU can become the best player.

Simple as that.

🔍 Who Is the IPTPA?

The International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA) is the most widely recognized coaching certification in pickleball — not just in North America, but around the world.

While there are other coaching programs out there, very few carry global credibility. That matters, especially if you’re looking to coach internationally. For example: planning to teach at a resort in Mexico this winter? If they require a certification that’s recognized abroad, IPTPA is the one they’ll ask for.

That means this isn’t just a fantastic certification to help make you the best coach possible — it’s your passport to coach anywhere the game is played.

Founded in 2015 by Seymour Rifkind — a Pickleball Hall of Fame inductee and former pro tennis player — IPTPA’s goal is to raise the bar in coach education.

Today, the IPTPA operates in 30+ countries, and its certification process is the most rigorous in the industry. To become Level 1 certified, coaches must:

And that’s just Level 1…

Level 2 is a whole ‘nother…well…level!

Interested in becoming an IPTPA-certified pickleball coach? Click here to access the application form (you’ll need to create an account).

🙌 Why IPOP Chose IPTPA

There are other certification options out there. But when it came to values, integrity, and impact, IPTPA was the clear choice.

We didn’t want just a credential — we wanted a coaching culture. One that trains real leaders, not just skill instructors.

  • IPTPA prepares coaches to teach beginners, youth, and competitive players alike

  • It emphasizes safe, inclusive, and structured instruction

  • It aligns with IPOP's mission to create welcoming, community-first pickleball spaces, and teaching to the highest standards possible

At IPOP, we’re not just building courts — we’re building people. We knew IPTPA would help us do that better than anyone else.

🎤 A Day with Rif at IPOP

To kick off our partnership, Seymour “Rif” Rifkind himself flew out to lead the first Level 1 Certification Day at IPOP Burnaby.

Twenty-four eager coaches showed up ready to learn. And they didn’t just get a lecture — they got an 8-hour masterclass.

  • 🧠 4 hours in the classroom: Lesson planning, coaching theory, player development

  • 🏓 4 hours on court: Hands-on feedback, teaching simulations, real drills

Rif even jumped in for a few games (yes, his team won 😉). But what really stood out was his energy, his attention to detail, and his belief in what this sport can do for people.

Moreover, he even generously gave us some of his precious time to chat with IPOP co-founder (and accredited coach!) Chris White. They had a fascinating chat about the future of pickleball and coaching, the IPTPA, and much more.

Check out the whole conversation here: https://youtu.be/IrJArZG1bjQ 

🌍 Who Is Seymour Rifkind?

If you’re new to the name, Seymour Rifkind — aka “Rif” — is a true force in the sport.

  • Founder of the IPTPA

  • Member of the Pickleball Hall of Fame

  • Former national-level tennis player

  • Founder of Pickleball for Peace, a global movement using the sport to build connections across borders

  • Advocate for youth coaching, neurofitness research, and global pickleball growth

Rif isn’t just a coach. He’s a builder — just like us.

🧠 What All This Means for You

When you join one of IPOP's Skills & Drills sessions, take a lesson from one of our coaches, or sign up for a clinic, you’ll know you’re learning from someone who’s been trained to teach you well.

That means:

✅ Coaches who care about your growth

✅ Lessons that are consistent, safe, and fun

✅ A system built to support players of all ages and experience levels

✅ More youth programming, inclusive coaching, and research-based teaching

Pickleball is booming. But growth without guidance doesn’t help anyone. At IPOP, we want to make sure the game grows the right way, and IPTPA helps us do that.

📊 Coaching Growth, Pickleball Science & Community Health

Pickleball isn’t just growing — it’s booming.

According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the sport has grown a massive 311% in the past three years, making it the fastest-growing sport in America for four years running.

And the growth isn’t just among older adults — it’s trending younger, fast.

  • The 25–34 age group now makes up the largest slice of the pickleball population, with 2.3 million players

  • Over 1 million children have picked up the paddle in the past year alone

  • The average age is now just 34.8 years old

This surge means one thing: we need more qualified coaches, especially those trained to work with young, developing players, who learn differently and require a coaching approach rooted in science and patience.

That’s why the IPTPA’s curriculum stands out to IPOP.

📘 IPTPA Also Emphasizes Science-Based Teaching

IPTPA’s coaching structure is informed by research into progressive learning models, emphasizing skill stacking, real-time feedback, and retention techniques that maximize learning — especially for youth, beginners, and players returning from injury. These methods are adapted from tennis, education science, and physical literacy studies.

And IPOP’s no stranger to science either.

We’re proud to partner with BC Lung and UBC researchers to study the cardiovascular and respiratory benefits of pickleball, particularly for aging and at-risk populations. We believe pickleball should be accessible to everyone, and we’re backing that belief with data.

Together, IPTPA and IPOP are proving that great coaching, strong science, and inclusive communities can create something truly powerful.

🔮 What’s Next?

  • ✅ Level 1: Complete

  • 🟢 Level 2: Coming soon to IPOP

  • 📅 More certification days: Being scheduled now

  • 🎓 More coaches getting certified — and ready to coach you better

With new facility openings in the works, IPOP is building a pipeline of the best-trained coaches in the game.

💬 Final Word

When the guy who literally founded pickleball coaching shows up to train your staff, that tells you everything you need to know about IPOP’s commitment.

We’re not just part of the sport’s growth — we’re helping lead it.

👉 Want to become a certified coach? Join our next IPTPA Level 1 course. Stay tuned to our social media for more information, or join our newsletter to stay up to date.

👉 Want to train with the best? Book a lesson with an IPOP-certified coach today.

Let’s grow the game — the right way.