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Where to Learn Pickleball in USA? Top 15 Schools

Where to Learn Pickleball in USA? Top 15 Schools

Pickleball is a game which is being played with great enthusiasm in various parts of the world, especially in the USA. Pickleball is an easy-to-learn game that one can learn under the supervision of various pickleball coaches.

This game requires practice and dedication as it combines three games, including badminton, tennis, and ping pong. Various Pickleball schools in the USA offer their best services to the learners.

The top 15 schools offering the classes of Pickleball in the USA are mentioned below as follows:

  1. Malta Community Center
  2. Matt Ross 
  3. Little Valley Pickleball Complex
  4. Tomahawk Ridge Community Center
  5. New Century Fieldhouse
  6. Outdoor Courts at Meadowbrook Park
  7. Palm Beach gardens recreation
  8. Capital Racquet & Fitness Center
  9. Elk Ridge Pickleball Complex, 3620 Cogburn Rd
  10. World War Memorial Building, 215 N. 6th St.
  11. Bismarck Parks & Recreation District
  12. Tom Brown Park
  13. Blue Valley Recreation Center at Hilltop
  14. ClearOne Sports Centre
  15. Marquardt-Miles Outdoor Pickleball Court

Pickleball is a fun but competitive sport, a mash-up of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It provides a large room for enjoyment and has its own specific rules and style for playing.

It has a large court which is similar to badminton. The paddles used for playing pickleball are like ping pong paddles, and the ball used for this sport is like a Wiffle ball. Pickleball is considered one of the largest growing sports in the USA, which can be played outdoors and at indoor locations.

1. Malta Community Centre, USA

In this pickleball program, there are 24 players on 3 courts open for almost 2 hours. Players can practice and play according to their ability. The players must get themselves registered for the entire program where paddles are provided.

Working of Program:

In this program, all the games are played in doubles. No specific requirement for skill level is demanded. If the courts are occupied, players can place their paddle in a single-file line along their wall.

Paddles are lined up against the wall, which determines the next group. The Pickleball game is played till 11 points, and once the game is finished, the player can place the paddle at the end of the line.

Pickleball Instructors at Malta Community Centre, USA:

1. Gina Family:

Gina family has been playing and studying the pickleball game for several years. The owner of this family is a level 1 certified instructor by the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association.

Gina loves to motivate individuals to learn and improve the skills related to pickleball. She also urges to discover new techniques and strategies for making this game more interesting. She is also a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor who has been working for over 30 years now.

2. Ed Koivula:

He has been a competitive tennis player since 1990 and has been in pickleball sport for more than seven years now. He is a level 1 certified instructor of pickleball recommended by Pickleball Coaching International.

He is considered a 4.5 star player who has won various medals in different tournaments at local and international levels. He loves to teach pickleball enthusiasts various tactics and strategies. He is a professional certified tennis instructor and is NYS certified public high school coach.

Pickleball Clinics at Malta Community Center, USA:

Clinics are considered 90 minutes long phase followed by 60 minutes of instructions with 30 minutes of playing and utilizing the skills learned by the pickleball players.

Pickleball 101

Pickleball 102

Pickleball Groundstrokes 101

The Third Shot 101

Dinking 101

Pickleball 101 class gives the skills which are necessary for starting and playing the doubles pickleball.

In this class, participants work on their 101 skills.

In this, the participant focus on improving their stroke mechanics.

It is one of the most important shot in pickleball. It is necessary to learn so that participant can learn how to score to win the more points.

Dinking is associated with a neutralized service and play.

The student learns the basic overview of game, methods of keeping score along with basic footwork, stroke mechanics, serving and returning.

Participants are taught the basic court skill with shot placement, how to manage and move in doubles with the partner and how to move up to the no-volley zone or kitchen line.

Participants are taught on how to receive the ball with more consistent and accurate forehand and with a backhand stroke.

Participants are taught to execute their third shot, lob or drop shot.

In this class, the participant is taught hot to dink footwork, how to dink control, strokes and strategies.

Deep Serve and Return of a Serve:

A short serve is a big advantage to the opponents, which helps them get to the no-volley zone in a pickleball game. When a player sends back a short return of serve, it is also a big advantage to the opponent and is an invitation to them towards the no-volley zone.

Therefore, it is necessary to learn the strategic way to use the first two shots in pickleball to win more points.

Improve the Forehand, Backhand, Punch Volley and Blocking Shot:

This kind of class is considered best for those players who are experienced in their game and are aware of all the game rules.

The main focus is laid on improving the return of service through improving the stroke mechanics for the forehand and backhand. Blocking shot is also practiced and learned, which is necessary for keeping the opponents back.

Court Coverage

The Short Game

The Long Game

This sort of clinic is for experienced players only. Here the main concentration is laid on learning and practicing the mental part of the pickleball game.

This sort of clinic is also for experienced players of pickleball having excellent fundamental strokes and knowledge about the pickleball game.

This clinic is also for the experienced players of pickleball having fundamental skills and knowledge about the game.

There are some important skills which are required on the pickleball court such as mental toughness and patience.

The main focus is laid on learning the skill of dinking, third shot drop, blocking and working the way up to net of pickleball game.

In the long game, the participants are focused on improving their serve, return of serve along with forehands, backhands and lobs.

Players learn the skills including how to interact with their partner, improving anticipation, constructing points, exploiting the weakness of opponents and last but not the least staying mentally tough throughout the game.

Participants are allowed to participate in the drill game play of pickleball game.

Participants also participate in drill games and drills associated with pickleball game.

2. Matt Ross Community Center:

This pickleball community center is also considered one of the best ones offering various services to players in the USA. There are two courts associated with this center in which the community center provides equipment and balls.

The timings for playing here are Monday-Friday (9 am-1 pm), and prices are $3 drop-in per person per day.

Teaching Staff at Matt Ross Community Center:

There are two accomplished teachers of the game at the Matt Ross Community Center: Patti Burnham and JoAnn Ariesen as of date.

An experienced player of the game, Patti Burnham of Cupertino, played at a very competitive level for many years. Not only that, but she is also a successful instructor who has trained hundreds of new players in the game, including children and seniors.

Patti Burnham volunteers her time to teach pickleball lessons at the Matt Ross Community Center during her free time.

JoAnn Ariesen, another Matt Ross Community Center’s pickleball coach, is experienced in playing at a high level as well. She started playing at age 13 when she was on the junior varsity team while attending San Lorenzo High School in California, where she grew up.

JoAnn Ariesen later went on to play for Foothill College while studying biology there. Currently, JoAnn Ariesen teaches all students how to play this fun sport.

JoAnn Ariesen not only helps coach existing players how to play better, but she also takes the time to teach new pickleball players at the Matt Ross Community Center. She had helped many people in Santa Clara County learn this fun sport from the beginning when there was no prior knowledge of it whatsoever.

In addition, a good number of seniors started playing with little or no experience in their lives due to JoAnn Ariesen’s expertise in coaching and her passion for passing down this sport to future generations.

3. Little Valley Pickleball Complex:

Situated at Saint George, Utah, this pickleball complex offers various hosting events related to pickleball, including lessons, clinics, youth pickleball, and tournaments. It has 24 public outdoor pickleball courts and lights.

Teaching Staff at Little Valley Pickleball Complex:

Pickleball Teachers at Little Valley Pickleball Complex love to teach children how to play pickleball.
Teachers in Little Valley Pickleball Complex are wonderful women who love to watch children grow into strong, healthy adults while learning new skills, making friends, and having fun doing it!

The teachers in Little Valley Pickleball Complex are wonderful women who love to watch children grow into strong, healthy adults while learning new skills, making friends, and having fun doing it!

4. Tomahawk Ridge Community Center:

This is one of the famous centers for pickleball players located in Lowell Ave, Overland Park, Kansas. It is an indoor center for pickleball players and combines the comfort of a neighborhood community center. It brings top-of-the-line fitness equipment for players with exciting group exercise classes and the expertise of personal trainers.

This community center offers a wide variety of services and programs for promoting a healthy lifestyle. This center also offers free parking, family and individual locker rooms, and handicap-accessible facilities.

This community center offers two courts, and the center provides equipment and balls. The timing and working hours are from Monday to Friday (9 am-1 pm). The cost offerings by this center are $3 drop-in per person per day.

Teaching Staff at Tomahawk Ridge Community Center:

The teachers in Tomahawk Ridge Community Center’s Pickleball program have been working diligently with the top professionals in the industry to bring you a quality and tested curriculum that we feel is second to none.

All of our teachers are certified through USA Pickleball and can teach all levels of play (newcomers through advanced). We offer individual lessons and group clinics on various topics throughout the year.

“We had some great pickleball sessions at Tomahawk Ridge Community Center.” – Dale Brown.

5. New Century Fieldhouse:

Located in New Century Parkway, New Century USA, this pickleball center is a premier indoor sports center. This field house has a large indoor turf field utilized for various field sports and activities.

It has 8 volleyball courts, 4 basketball courts, 4 futsal courts, and a pickleball court.

This center also has a lounge with flat-screen TVs and meeting rooms. This fieldhouse’s timing and working hours are Monday-Friday (9 am-5 pm), while the evening and weekend hours vary. $4 is the fee per player in which payment is not required until the game day.

Teaching Staff at New Century Fieldhouse:

The teachers in New Century Fieldhouse believe that they may be the only pickleball teaching professionals in the US, and their enthusiasm for pickleball is contagious.

They host Pickleball clinics on Saturday mornings at 8:30 and Sunday evenings at 6:00, free of charge and open to all skill levels.
Their goal is to introduce as many golfers as possible to this great sport.

They have a vast amount of knowledge about the game from competition history, rules, strategy, techniques, equipment, and so much more. They can provide information about current players, statistics, and rankings.

6. Outdoor Courts at Meadowbrook Park:

These outdoor courts are located at Nall Avenue, Prairie Village, USA. It is 80 acres of green space offering new programming opportunities, including an adventure destination playground, the Grand Pavilion, Grove playground, eight pickleball courts, low impact outdoor fitness equipment, three lakes, and a Meadowbrook park clubhouse.

The Meadowbrook park offers a multi-functional shelter with outdoor exercise equipment and trails. There is also a fishing and clubhouse area in this park with a pickleball court.

There are eight pickleball courts in Meadowbrook park that are non-reservable and open to play. The timings in summer are 5 am-1 pm, while in winters, the timings of this park are 7:30 am-8 pm.

Teaching Staff at Outdoor Courts at Meadowbrook Park:

The instructors of Outdoor Courts at Meadowbrook Park are much more than just good people. They are pickleball experts, dedicated players, and devoted game teachers. What makes them so much more? These outstanding teachers have been teaching pickleball for years and want to share their knowledge with you!

Every Sunday afternoon, you can learn from these expert teaching professionals from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Outdoor Courts at Meadowbrook Park (1500 E El Camino Real) in Sunnyvale. This is a great opportunity for all players interested in learning how to play pickleball.

Beginners especially will find these classes invaluable as they cover the fundamentals of the game and offer improvement tips.

7. Palm Beach Garden Recreations:

One of the finest pickleball courts is located at 4404 Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens. It has six permanent outdoor courts and six temporary outdoor courts.

The fee for an indoor play is charged as $8-$10, and the same goes fr an outdoor play. Players can enjoy their game on Monday-Friday (7:30 am-9 pm), Saturday (7:30 am-3 pm), and Sunday (7:30 am-3 pm).

Teaching Staff at Outdoor Courts at Palm Beach Garden Recreations:

The instructors of Outdoor Courts at Palm Beach Garden Recreations have been teaching the game of pickleball to players of all ages and abilities for a few years now. As a result, they have become experts in the fun and exciting sport while learning the skills necessary to teach it effectively.

Over time, Outdoor Courts have employed more coaches who have spent countless hours mastering their teaching skills through observation and practice at parks across Palm Beach County.

Today, students from beginners to advanced levels benefit from highly knowledgeable instructors dedicated to making sure everyone enjoys themselves while receiving proper instruction.

8. Capital Racquet and Fitness Center, USA:

Pickleball Fall/ Winter Hours
PlayerTimings
Beginner/ Intermediate Player (Level 2.0-3.5)Monday-Wednesday (10am-12:30pm) Friday (10:30am-12:30pm)
Beginner/ Intermediate Player (Level 2.0-3.5)Saturday (4:30 pm-7pm)
Intermediate/Advanced Players (Level 3.5 and up)Monday and Friday (12:30-3:30 pm) Wednesday (1-3:30 pm)

Pickleball Summer Hours:

Player Level

Location

Timings

Beginner

N. Central Tennis/ Pickleball complex, 830 Central Ave. Elk Ridge Pickleball Complex, 3620 Cogburn Rd.  

Monday, Wednesday and Friday (8am-12pm)Tuesday and Thursday (8am-12pm)

Beginner/ Intermediate

Capital Racquet & Fitness Center, 3200 N. 10th St.

Saturday (11:30 am-1:30pm)

Intermediate/Advanced

Elk Ridge Pickleball Complex, 3620 Cogburn Rd.N. Central Tennis/ Pickleball Complex, 830 Central Ave, 2547 E. Calgary Ave.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday (8am-12pm)Tuesday and Thursday (8am-12 pm)

9. Elk Ridge Pickleball Complex, 3620 Cogburn Rd:

This pickleball complex is located at the East Front Avenue Bismarck, North Dakota, USA, and includes a playground parking lot with an open play area.

It has six pickleball courts with a restroom building and a picnic shelter. There are also some community gardens and a restroom building too. The timing hours are from Monday-Friday (7:30 am- 5:00 pm).

Teaching Staff at Outdoor Courts at Elk Ridge Pickleball Complex, 3620 Cogburn Rd:

The instructors of Outdoor Courts at Elk Ridge Pickleball Complex, 3620 Cogburn Rd, are certified Pickleball Teaching Professionals. Classes at Outdoor Courts, 3620 Cogburn Rd, are open to the public and require no pre-registration.

Pickleball Teachers of Outdoor Courts at Elk Ridge Pickleball Complex, 3620 Cogburn Rd, hold the following certifications:

  • USAPA Level I Pickleball Instructor Certification (Certified by USAPA)
  • USPTR Level 1 Tennis – Pickleball Combined Rating (Certified by USPTR)
  • First Aid/CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer (Certified by the American Heart Association /Affiliate of American Red Cross).

10. World War Memorial Building, 215 N. 6th St:

World War Memorial building is located at 215 N. 6th St. It offers various facility features, including a fitness and karate room, three basketball and volley courts, one racquetball and pickleball court, and a youth gymnasium.

For racquetball and pickleball court, reservations must be made one day before, and charges are $8 per hour per court. Anyone interested in playing racquetball or pickleball can reserve their courts here from 11a,-2pm during Monday-Friday. Reservation charges are $5.

Teaching Staff at Outdoor Courts at World War Memorial Building, 215 N. 6th St:

The World War Memorial Building instructors, 215 N. 6th St in Lincoln, Nebraska, are proud to announce their new position as pickleball teachers in the community. Pickleball Headquarters has approved them to teach Group Classes and Personalized coaching lessons.

Through this news release, I’d like to announce that my name is Kenna Denison, owner of Pickleball Headquarters, World War Memorial Building, 215 N. 6th St- a teaching facility for all things pickleball.

My passion lies in my love of the game, which has recently taken me worldwide, participating in large national tournaments where I have won many awards, including most recently being inducted into The USA Pickleball Hall Of Fame.

11. Bismarck Parks & Recreation District:

This center is located at 400 East Front Avenue Bismarck, North Dakota, and holds the core purpose to provide affordable, accessible, and sustainable public park and recreation services. This center offers its services from Monday-Friday from 7:30 am-5:00 pm and offers various winter and summer activities.

Teaching Staff at Outdoor Courts at Bismarck Parks & Recreation District:

The instructors of Bismarck Parks & Recreation District are your local pickleball experts. If you are new to the sport, this is the perfect opportunity to get hands-on training and coaching from our staff. Anyone can learn how to play Pickleball! ~Penny Forsythe, Bismarck Parks & Recreation District Director.

Who Is It For? Everyone! Recreational or Competitive, Parent/Child or Senior/Senior couples – you are all invited to participate in these free clinics. We will be teaching the game’s rules, basic strokes, and strategy.

12. Tom Brown Park:

Tom Brown Park is located at North Meridian Road, Tallahassee, FL, and offers the services of outdoor pickleball courts for both the monitored and non-monitored times.

A fee is required for the monitored times, including $5.25 for single players and $4 for the doubles category. The monitored timings are Monday-Thursday (4:30 pm-7:30 pm) and Saturday-Sunday (8:00 am-12:00 pm).

Teaching Staff at Outdoor Courts at Tom Brown Park:

The instructors from Brown Park are very active in the Southeast US Pickleball Community. They are highly respected by other coaches, players, and federations for their teaching methods, experience, and passion for growing pickleball.

Tom Brown has been hosting three USAPA regional tournaments, which have attracted over 400 players throughout the Eastern Region.

Tom Brown Park provides pickleball courts lined to USAPA specs with two backstops on each court. The courts are located in a well-maintained facility which includes covered courts, bathrooms, water fountains, ample parking, a picnic area with a grill, walking trails around the park’s lake, and an amphitheater.

13. Blue Valley Recreation Center at Hilltop:

This is also one of the famous pickleball centers located at W. 151st Street, Overland Park. They have some open pickleball rules for the people who play here. When the courts are full, the players can take their turn by stacking the paddles and should allow the other players to play too.

The players can leave the court so that the next players can rotate. The timings pf this center are Monday-Friday (7:00am-9:00pm) while on Saturday (7:00am-7:00pm).

Teaching Staff at Outdoor Courts at Blue Valley Recreation Center at Hilltop:

The instructors ofBlue Valley Recreation Center at Hilltop are excited to help introduce you to this fun game of pickleball! We have been teaching people how to play for several years and have a lot of experience working with new players.

Here instructors are USAPA certified and assist with developing new programs for GLKC Pickleball. You will benefit from lessons that focus on a basic understanding of the rules, etiquette, strategy, serving and scoring.

14. ClearOne Sports Centre:

This pickleball center is located in downtown Orlando and is specifically made for playing badminton, pickleball, and table tennis. It has 13 indoor pickleball courts and is considered one of the best, offering various services.

Many pickleball tournaments are held throughout the year for a multitude of skill levels here and are open for pickleball players.

Teaching Staff at Outdoor Courts at ClearOne Sports Centre:

The instructors of ClearOne Sports Centre are trained professionals who are extensively experienced in teaching groups and individuals to play different sports, including pickleball. They have developed their skills by working with different students at all levels of play.

As you can imagine, much like any other sport, pickleball is highly varied; it requires patience, and the instructors at ClearOne Sports Centre will help participants learn to practice it well.

The teachers’ goal is to make sure that your game improves only after regular workouts if you are willing to do so too!

You should expect quality training from professionals who understand the importance of individualized instruction; pickleball has its distinct features, but they want everyone’s learning process to be fun as well as rewarding (ClearOne Sports Centre).

15. Marquardt-Miles Outdoor Pickleball Court:

The Marquardt-Miles Pickleball Courts are located at Simms Street Recreation Center in Arvada, Colorado, and are considered one of the premier centers offering the best pickleball services.

The prime-time hours for playing pickleball here are 8:30-11:30 am for April. May, September, and October, while for June, July, and August, the timings are 7:30-10:30 am.

There are 7 courts drop-in and 10 courts for Apex programming offering skills and drills. The court rental fee here for residential is $8 per hour, and for non-residential, it is $10 per hour.

Teaching Staff at Outdoor Courts at Marquardt-Miles Outdoor Pickleball Court:

The instructors of Marquardt-Miles Outdoor Pickleball Court are experienced, talented professionals who are respected by many of the best pickleball players in the world. They include:

1) Jimmy Slagle (PBI 4-Star Certified Instructor),
2) David Miles (3-time Senior Olympic Pickleball Champion),
3) Eddie Lieder (2-time World Games Pickleball Silver Medalist), and
4) Fran Davis (5-time USA National Pro Tour Doubles Champion 1st couple).

Each of them has decades of teaching experience at all levels, from non-playing to elite. They know how to translate their years of real game experience into clear instructions that you can understand and implement quickly.

Definitions of Skill Levels Based on USAPA:

Beginners

Beginner to Intermediate

Intermediate

Minimum skills are required

Minimum skills are required

Minimum skills are required

The player who is beginner has just started to play pickleball game having no sports background.

The beginner to intermediate player has a limited experience who can sustain a short rally with players having equal ability. This player is given 2.5 skill rating according to USAPA.

This player is given 3.5 skill rating according to USAPA.

Forehand

Backhand

Serve or Return

Dink

3rd Shot

Volley

Strategy

In this, special focus is laid on the improved stroke development having moderate level of shot controlling.

In this, it is taught to develop consistency and learning the stroke form.

In this, consistency is achieved with serve/returns in play having limited ability to control the depth.

In this, consistency is increased with limited ability to control height and depth.

This is the development of the drop shot in a way to get to the net.

The player is enable to volley the medium paced shots thereby to develop control.

In presence of opportunity, the player is moved quickly to the non-volley zone.

The player acknowledges the difference between a hard game and a soft game. The player learns proper court positioning and can sustain short rallies.

Also Read:

What Kind of Ball is Used in Pickleball?
What is a Rally in Pickleball? All You Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Which state is considered the most popular one in terms of pickleball games?

Seattle, Washington, is considered the most popular pickleball game, having 2.6 pickleball courts per 10000 residents.

What is the average age of pickleball players?

The average age of a pickleball player is 43.5 years old. Other than this, 49% of players fall in the 18-54 age range.

Which places are considered as best for playing pickleball?

 There are various places for playing pickleball. But some of the top pickleball courts in the U.S are as follows:

  • Pickleball Station, Seattle, Washington
  • Eagle Crest Resort, Oregon
  • Little valley Pickleball complex
  • Fort Howard Park, Wisconsin
  • Chicken N Pickle, Missouri
  • Mentor Pickleball courts, Ohio

Which city is known to have the most pickleball courts in Florida?

East Naples Community Park is considered the populous city with most pickleball courts in Florida. It is considered the pickleball capital of the world.

Which city is known to have more pickleball courts in Washington?

 In Washington, Seattle is known to have more pickleball courts. It has three pickleball courts per 20,000 residents.

Is pickleball considered an easier game than tennis?

Pickleball is a much easier game than tennis. Compared to tennis, the same level of promptness and agility is required for playing pickleball. But tennis is the game that requires larger courts as there is more movement in this game.

Which three sports are the combination in pickleball?

Pickleball is a mixture of badminton, tennis, and ping pong. It is a game which is played indoor as well as outdoor on a modified tennis court or a badminton-sized court too.

Is pickleball considered a part of Olympic sport?

No, pickleball is still not a part of Olympic sport.

In which local areas can a pickleball player practice their game?

For playing pickleball, you can check out your local YMCA or community centers offering the facility of playing pickleball. Other than this, you can also check out your local tennis centers and some indoor Pickleball Venues.

Has pickleball been considered a popular game in Texas?

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing games in all cities over Texas and in the entire nation of the USA too. Pickleball has grown over 30% over the past three years.

Is pickleball considered a good workout for the body?

Pickleball is a game that is considered a good form of aerobic workout which does not put much stress and strain on your joints and muscles. This game is useful in elevating self-esteem and combats depression too.

Which country is known as the inventor of the Pickleball game?

Pickleball was invented in Bainbridge Island, Washington, in 1965 by Congressman Joel Pritchard, Barney McCallum, and Bill Bell. According to the inventors, there is a long story behind the invention of the pickleball game.

Are there any professional pickleball players?

Pickleball is also full of professionals now, and players earn a more decent amount of money through this game.

Which sport is considered the fastest growing sport in America?

The fastest-growing sport in America is Pickleball in 2021.

Is it compulsory for a person to have an athletic background to play pickleball?

It is not necessary to have an athletic background to play pickleball. A person with a brief knowledge of any racquet sport will get a few minutes to understand. This game requires dedication and practice, and a person can improve quickly.

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Thursday 24th of February 2022

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