To know pickleball court dimensions, here is complete information about the court, balls, paddles, and the surface of the court.
In the summer of 1965, two dads, Joel Pritchard, a congressman, and Bill Bel, a businessman, returned home. They found their families bored, so they planned to play badminton but could not find the proper equipment. They tried to play the game with a plastic ball and some ping pong paddles on a badminton court. The badminton court was unsuitable for the new game.
The badminton net was too high for the ball. So, they begin using a 34 inches net. Later, they made a permanent court for pickleball in the backyard.
Related: Outdoor pickleball shoes
But over time the game became one of the most favorite American sports. Pickleball is similar to badminton and tennis but there are also significant differences. For example, in tennis, players use a felt-covered ball. In pickleball, we use a plastic ball which is officially called a wiffle ball.
The major difference between these three games, badminton, tennis, and pickleball, is the dimensions of the court. Let’s discuss the dimensions of the pickleball court.
Pickleball Court Dimensions
The standard size of the pickleball court is bigger than the badminton court but smaller than the tennis court. The length of the court is about 44 feet but it is 20 feet wide. The net separates the court which is 34 inches high in the middle and 36 inches high at the sides. Yes, the size is similar to the tennis court. The standard size of the tennis court is about 60 feet wide and 120 feet long.
There are four rectangular boxes in the court. Each side has two boxes. A box is 10 feet wide and 15 feet long. This means the player can run and hit the ball effortlessly. However, the boxes are separated by the central line. The pickleball player has to hit the wiffle ball in a diagonal direction. However, the lines at the side of the court are known as sidelines.
These sidelines are about 15 feet long. The lines at the end of the court are known baselines which are about 20 feet wide.
Unlike the tennis court in which you can volley a ball from anywhere, the pickleball has a non-volley zone on both sides. The non-volley region, also known as the kitchen, extends 7 feet from the net side. Volleying in the non-volley zone is not allowed. But a player can appear in the non-volleyball zone if he is not volleying the ball.
Another rule related to the non-volley zone is, a wiffle ball cannot land in the non-volley zone. If the wiffle ball lands in the religion, it is considered a fault.
You can play pickleball on different surfaces such as clay, grass, tennis court, asphalt, concert, and polyurethane sports surface. If you are designing an outdoor court in your backyard, you should go for a polyurethane surface without cushioning. You can play on grass but the grass is not usually recommended as well as the concrete surface is also recommended when there is no choice.
For the indoor pickleball court, you can design a wooden surface. The wiffle ball will bounce more than usual on a wooden surface. But the most recommended surface for pickleball is the polyurethane surface with cushioning.
The polyurethane surfaces are made of a rubber mat. The mat provides cushioning which helps reduce the impact on your knees, feet, and ankles.
Equipment You Need To Play Pickleball
1. Pickleball Paddles
The pickleball paddles are similar to ping-pong paddles. But the major difference between both pickleball and ping pong paddles is size. The size of the pickleball paddle is larger than a ping pong paddle. It is about 16 inches long and 8 inches wide. The paddle is about 6 to 14 ounces. This means you can run and use the handle effortlessly.
2. Wiffle Ball
The ball used in pickleball is made of plastic. The ball is called a wiffle ball because it has perforated holes. Each ball has 26 to 40 holes but it depends on the purpose you are using it for. However, there are two types of balls, for indoor and outdoor use. The indoor balls are made for playing on a soft surface, these balls have 26 holes.
On the other hand, the outdoor balls are made for outdoor playing on hard or rough surfaces such as concrete or clay.
FAQs
How small can you make a pickleball court?
The standard size of the pickleball is 34 feet long and 20 feet wide.
Are pickleball and tennis courts the same size?
No, the tennis court is bigger than the pickleball court. The tennis court is 60 feet wide and 120 feet long. Whereas the pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 34 feet long.
What is the best surface for pickleball?
There are two types of courts, indoor and outdoor. You can play pickleball on grass, wooden surfaces, clay, and smooth concrete surfaces. But polyurethane surface is the most recommended surface. The polyurethane surface provides cushioning that reduces pressure from the ankles, knees, and feet.
Can you go into the kitchen in pickleball?
Yes, you can go into the kitchen but you cannot stand and play for long in the non-volley zone. Volleying a ball in the kitchen is prohibited otherwise players can not in the kitchen.
Conclusion
Pickleball is one of the favorite sports of America. It is similar to tennis but has differences such as paddles, balls, and rules. The major difference between tennis, pickleball, and badminton is the dimensions of their courts. However, the pickleball court is 34 feet long and 20 feet wide. You can enlarge the court but the standard size of the court is 20×34.
The pickleball court net is 34 inches high in the middle and the sides are 36 inches high. The court has four rectangular boxes; each box is 10 feet wide and 15 feet long.
Oliver Parker is a recognized authority in the world of pickleball, renowned for his in-depth knowledge of paddles and shoes. With years of expertise on and off the court, he provides invaluable guidance for players of all levels. As a seasoned player, Oliver has not only honed his skills on the court but also conducted rigorous testing of equipment, providing readers with meticulously researched reviews and recommendations.