Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States, combining elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong.
The game is played on a court that looks like a tennis court but is much smaller and includes unique features (like the non-volley zone) and a smaller net.
Pickleball Court Layout
The pickleball court shares similarities with a tennis court, featuring right and left service courts and a non-volley zone, also known as the “kitchen,” located directly in front of the net. While some courts are designed exclusively for pickleball, others are adapted from existing tennis or badminton courts.
To minimize the disadvantage of playing under direct sunlight, most pickleball courts are oriented North-South instead of East-West. This strategic positioning helps ensure that neither side faces the sun directly, providing a more balanced play environment.
Pickleball Court Dimensions and Markings
Pickleball court dimensions and markings are standardized to provide a uniform playing experience regardless of location. Here’s a detailed overview of these specifications:
Court Dimensions
- Overall Size: The court measures 20 feet in width and 44 feet in length, which is the same size used for both singles and doubles play.
- Net Height: The net stretches across the width of the court, with a height of 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center.
- Service Areas: The court is divided into two equal halves by the net. Each half is further divided into a right service area and a left service area by a centerline that extends from the baseline to the non-volley line.
- Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen): A 7-foot zone from the net on both sides of the court, the non-volley zone prohibits players from volleying the ball (hitting it in the air without letting it bounce first).
Court Markings
- Lines: All lines on the court are 2 inches wide and should be a contrasting color to the color of the court surface for visibility. Commonly, lines are white.
- Sidelines: Mark the longest edges of the court, running parallel to the net.
- Baselines: Mark the shortest edges of the court, running perpendicular to the net.
- Centerline: Divides each side’s service areas into left and right sections, extending from the baseline to the non-volley line.
- Non-Volley Line: Marks the boundary of the non-volley zone, 7 feet from the net on each side.
Pickleball Court Playing Areas
In essence, the pickleball court consists of a non-volley zone near the net and two service areas on each side, for a total of five main sections if counting the kitchen as one area spanning both sides of the net, simplifying to:
- Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen): Directly in front of the net, extending 7 feet on each side. Unique to pickleball, players can only enter this zone if the ball has bounced there first.
- Service Areas: Each side has a left and a right service area. These are where players serve to and receive balls during the game.
Simplified Dimensions:
- The court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide in total. The non-volley zone, or kitchen, is 7 feet deep from the net, leaving the rest of the court for the service areas.
- Each service area is roughly 15 feet long (from the kitchen to the baseline) and 10 feet wide, making up the court’s width.
Pickleball Court Surface Materials
Pickleball courts can be made from various materials, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Here’s a simplified look at the most common surface materials:
1. Outdoor Surfaces
Concrete
- Pros: Durable, low maintenance, consistent bounce.
- Cons: Hard on joints, slippery when wet.
Asphalt
- Pros: Good durability, consistent bounce.
- Cons: Can degrade with weather, hard on joints.
Acrylic Coating
- Pros: Adds color and texture, improves traction.
- Cons: Needs recoating over time.
Modular Tiles (Mateflex)
- Pros: Easy to install, good for joints, excellent drainage.
- Cons: More maintenance for debris, higher initial cost.
Artificial Turf
- Pros: Gentle on joints, unique play.
- Cons: Less predictable bounce, maintenance for cleanliness.
2. Indoor Surfaces
- Wood: Soft but can be slippery.
- Rubber: Cushioning and grip, might affect bounce.
- Carpet: Good grip and consistent bounce.
When choosing a surface, consider factors like the local climate, whether the court is indoor or outdoor, comfort, and how much maintenance you’re willing to do. Each material affects the game differently, so pick what best suits your needs and preferences.
Pickleball Court Colors
Pickleball courts come in various colors, chosen for better visibility of the ball, player comfort, and aesthetics:
- Blue: Offers good contrast with the yellow ball; popular for both indoor and outdoor courts.
- Green: Traditional color, similar to tennis courts, with good ball visibility.
- Red: Often used around the court to highlight playing area boundaries.
- Purple: Vibrant and provides excellent visibility, especially indoors.
- Gray: Neutral, reduces glare, and offers a modern appearance.
Key Points:
- Courts may use two-tone schemes, with different colors inside and outside the playing lines to clarify boundaries.
- Line colors (like white or yellow) contrast with the court to stand out.
- Choice depends on factors like heat reflection, ball visibility, and surrounding aesthetics.
Pickleball Courts Vs. Tennis Courts
This table summarizes key differences in dimensions, design, and usage between pickleball and tennis courts, illustrating how each sport’s unique aspects influence court layout and play style:
| Feature | Pickleball Courts | Tennis Courts |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 20 feet wide x 44 feet long | 27 feet wide (singles), 36 feet wide (doubles) x 78 feet long |
| Net Height | 36 inches at the sidelines, 34 inches in the center | 36 inches at the posts, 3 feet (36 inches) in the center |
| Service Areas | Two service areas on each side, divided by a centerline | Two service boxes on each side, wider and shorter |
| Non-Volley Zone | 7 feet from the net on both sides, known as “the kitchen” | No equivalent |
| Surface Material | Similar materials can be used (concrete, asphalt, acrylic, etc.), but pickleball courts are smaller | Concrete, grass, clay, artificial surfaces; larger area requires more material |
| Play Style | Encourages shorter rallies, more strategy in shot placement due to smaller size and non-volley zone | Longer rallies, more physical endurance required, different strategies due to court size |
| Court Lines | Lines are similar in function but differ in layout due to court size and the non-volley zone | More lines for singles vs. doubles play, no non-volley zone |
| Usage | Primarily used for pickleball, can be adapted on existing tennis courts with temporary lines or nets | Designed for tennis, though can be adapted for pickleball with modifications |
Pickleballs and paddles Vs. Tennis balls and Racquets
There is also a difference between the balls used in tennis and pickleball.
Pickleballs are made of plastic, measure 2 and 7/8 inches to 3 inches in diameter, weigh between .08 and 1.02 ounces, and are similar to a Wiffle ball. There are no color restrictions on the ball, except that it must have a single, consistent color.
Paddles used in pickleball are smaller and constructed of different materials than the racquets used in tennis.
There are a variety of high-tech composite pickleball paddles used in competitive play by pickleball players, ranging in price from $50 to $150 per paddle. The paddles used in pickleball have a solid surface.
Up until the 1970s, most tennis racquets were made of wood. Now, most are made of fiberglass and graphite. As a result, they are lighter yet just as powerful and strong. Tennis racquets are woven strings that are made of natural or synthetic materials. Each racquet costs between $50 and $250.
