So you want to play Pickleball...

Learning about Pickleball

Explore resources and locations to enhance your pickleball experience.

Pickleball is a social game

Remember, everyone started new at some point. Pickleball is generally very social, with the majority people at public courts wanting to mix up partners and players. You'll meet a ton of new people! In most places, everyone round robins among the courts, generally "stacking" paddles in groups of fours for doubles play. When a game is completed, people will yell "court open," and the next stacked paddles in line will take the court. There are courts that can be rented or reserved, but usually not public outdoor venues or community centers. There are some outdoor public courts that can be rented, but they are well marked by signs. No public courts on Mercer Island can currently be rented without a permit from the city.

How to play

It's really a simple game with a few quirks. A game is played to 11 points, winning by 2. You always announce the score before you serve. If you aren't sure of the score, or if you messed it up, you'll be gently reminded. You need to understand the lines -- baseline, court lines, and no volley zone, generally known as the kitchen. Fortunately there are tons of videos on YouTube that will explain the game in more detail, and go over basic rules and strategy. Search "Beginner Pickleball". See? Simple.

AARP has a whole section of its website dedicated to pickleball. While a great resource available to everyone, don't think you have to have gray hair to play. The average player is actually 35, and it's been the fastest growing sport in the US. However, you can't deny its popularity with people of a certain age range. Why? The game is pretty simple and not hard to learn, it gets you moving and connected with a whole new community of friends. And there are plenty of people of all skills at every age.

The only equipment you need are a paddle, whiffle balls made for indoor or outdoor pickleball, solid court shoes for balance and stability, and a place to play. Many people carry extra paddles if you show up without one, but to get started probably best to pick up a cheap starter paddle. Pickleball Central is probably the largest online retailer and a local company. You can pick up a starter set of 2 paddles and 4 balls for about $70. That's just one example. If you stick with the sport you'll want to upgrade your paddle. There are tons of options out there.

About lessons and clinics

Yes, there are paid coaches on Mercer Island, and they sometimes appear at the public courts. That is not allowed currently according to park rules. That may change in the future, but it would be a Parks and Recreation Program.

Some private clubs offer lessons and clinics. We are not curating a list, though. South Bellevue Community Center has offered beginner clinics in the past. Contact them about availability and costs.

An oddity of pickleball which at times can be quite helpful and sometimes annoying, everyone will want to give you coaching tips whether or not you've asked. Super helpful as you are learning and improving the game. If you don't want the help, you can politely ask them to stop. If you are struggling or don't understand something, you'll get a lot of useful advice.

Where to play

There are two public places to play: indoor at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center (MICEC) and outdoor at Luther Burbank Park.

MICEC is scheduled, there are 6 courts, play all year in a gym with a wood surface. There is a drop-in sports fee. Go to MICEC drop-in sports page for the current schedule, which changes quarterly.

There are 8 newly built dedicated pickleball courts at Luther Burbank, scheduled to open in November. Available year round, depending on weather. Playtime Scheduler is a good tool to find out if anyone is playing there.

The Mercer Island Boys and Girls Club also offers drop-in play for a small fee. Available times are posted weekly on Playtime Scheduler. Similarly, the Stroum Jewish Community Center also provides drop-in play for a fee. Several private clubs also provide pickleball for members.