Friendly padel and tennis coaching in Suffolk with Chloe French. Patient, unhurried, and never intimidating — for beginners, returners, and anyone who'd rather enjoy the game than perfect it.
Most people who come to Good Rally aren't chasing a ranking. They're here because a friend mentioned padel over coffee and they'd quite like to try it. Because tennis used to be part of their life and they'd fancy picking it up again. Because Saturday mornings have been feeling a little slow. Because a bit of exercise, a bit of fresh air, and a proper laugh on court sounds like a very good idea.
So that's what we do. I teach the basics properly. I help improvers sharpen up. I run friendly small groups for pairs and fours who want to play together. There's no mystique, no jargon, and absolutely no pressure. Just a lesson on a court, with someone patient who knows the game well enough to make it feel easier.
Good coaching isn't just about fixing your swing. Get these three working in balance and the game opens up — usually faster than you'd expect.
The small fixes that make the ball fly where you meant it to go. A useful grip. A body that faces the right way. A swing that stops fighting itself. Nothing that will take a season to learn — just the foundations that turn frustration into flow.
Padel is brilliant exercise and we lean into that gently. Simple movement patterns, sensible recovery, the habits that keep your knees, shoulders, and back happy. Nothing punishing — just the sort of fitness that makes the next lesson easier than the last.
Confidence on court. A bit of tactical sense so you're thinking, not just swinging. The quiet pleasure of winning a rally you wouldn't have won a month ago. This is the bit most coaches leave for you to find alone — and it's the bit that keeps people coming back.
How a new player usually gets going with Good Rally — whether you've played for decades or you're picking up a racket for the very first time.
A short email or a quick call — you tell me what you're after, I tell you honestly whether I'm the right coach for you. No forms, no application, no hard sell.
Meet me at a local court — I'll bring rackets if you haven't got one. The first twenty minutes are on me, a proper taster so you can see if this feels like your sort of thing.
Whatever suits you. A few lessons to get the basics down. A weekly slot. A small group with friends. You set the pace — I'll help you get more out of each one.
I'm a Suffolk-born mother of three, a lifelong fitness enthusiast, and a slightly-too-devoted racket sports person. I was the Suffolk County Number 1 junior tennis player as a girl — before life took me down other paths. University, a spell living abroad, raising a family. Through all of it, racket sports stayed with me quietly.
A few years ago I fell properly in love with padel. It's social, it's quick to pick up, it's the best fun you can have on a court — and it turns out to be one of the kindest sports to come back to after a long break. I set up Good Rally because a lot of people round here felt the same way I did and needed somewhere sensible to start.
I'm not a former circuit pro, and I'm not trying to turn anyone into one. What I offer is calm, patient, grown-up coaching — the kind of lesson where you leave the court feeling like you actually improved, and rather looking forward to the next one.
Good Rally is deliberately broad. These are the people who most often get in touch — but honestly, if you're thinking about it, you probably belong here.
Never held a padel racket. Heard about it from a friend. Would like to try without committing to a whole season.
Played tennis years ago, stopped for life reasons, fancies picking up something similar — preferably a bit kinder on the knees.
A pair or a four of friends who'd rather learn together than alone. Social, steady, and good-humoured about it all.
You play already. You'd like to get sharper, win a few more rallies, and think about the game a bit more deliberately.
A few notes from players after their first block of lessons. Reproduced with permission.
I hadn't held a racket in twenty years. After four lessons I was playing a proper game with friends. Chloe is patient, funny, and somehow teaches without ever making you feel slow.
Four of us come together every Wednesday morning. Honestly, we look forward to it more than book club. Gentle, steady, good fun — and my serve is a lot less embarrassing than it used to be.
I was nervous about starting something new at my age. Chloe made it feel easy from the very first minute. I play twice a week now and it's changed how I feel all the way through to Friday.
Not sure you're ready to commit to a full lesson? Come and hit a few balls with me. Twenty minutes on a local court — no cost, no obligation, no hard sell. If we get on, we'll book a proper lesson. If not, you've had a lovely morning and learned a little padel. Either way, a good hour.
Three ways to book. Most players start with a Starter Block — it's the best value and gets the basics solid. After that, most people either keep going weekly or come back whenever they fancy a top-up.
A single hour, no commitment. Perfect if you want to try padel, fix one specific thing, or book something in before a holiday.
Five one-hour lessons at a friendly price. Enough to build real basics — the grip, the swing, the movement, and the confidence to go and play.
A weekly lesson built into your routine, billed monthly. For players who've caught the bug and want padel as a proper weekly habit.
Practical questions I'm asked most often. If yours isn't here, just ask me.
A short message is all it takes. Tell me a little about where you're at — I'll write back personally within a day or two, and we'll take it from there.