Pickleball is a popular racket sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It can be played both indoors and outdoors on a court with specific dimensions. If you’re planning to build or play on a pickleball court, it’s essential to know the proper dimensions to ensure a fair and safe game. In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide to pickleball court dimensions.
What is Pickleball?
[affiliatable id=’76292′]
Before diving into the dimensions of a pickleball court, let’s briefly go over the basics of the game. Pickleball is played on a court with a net in the middle. Players use paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball over the net and aim to land it in the opponent’s court. Pickleball can be played in singles or doubles, and the first player or team to reach 11 points (with a two-point advantage) wins the game.
Check out this article: Best mattress
The Standard Pickleball Court Dimensions
According to the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), the standard dimensions of a pickleball court are 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, with a net height of 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center. The court is divided into halves by a centerline and has a non-volley zone (NVZ) on each side, also known as the kitchen.
Court Surface and Markings
The court surface can be made of various materials, such as concrete, asphalt, or wood. However, it’s essential to ensure that the surface is non-slip and provides adequate traction. The court should also have clear markings for the boundaries, centerline, and NVZ. The lines should be 2 inches wide, except for the NVZ lines, which should be 1 inch wide.
Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen)
[affiliatable id=’76292′]
The NVZ, also known as the kitchen, is a 14 feet by 20 feet area on each side of the net. It’s marked by a line that extends 7 feet from the net on both sides. Players are not allowed to step into the NVZ and hit the ball unless the ball bounces in the zone first or is hit by the opponent.
Service Area
The service area is a 10 feet by 20 feet area on each side of the net. The server must serve the ball diagonally to the opponent’s service court, and the ball must clear the non-volley zone and land in the opposite service court to be valid.
Court Height
The net height should be 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center. The net should be stretched taut, and the top of the net should be exactly 36 inches above the ground at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center.
Other Considerations
It’s essential to leave enough space around the court for players to move freely and avoid obstacles. The recommended clearance area is 10 feet on each side and 21 feet behind each baseline. Lighting is also crucial if you plan to play at night, and you should aim for an average of at least 50-foot candles on the court surface.
Conclusion
Knowing the proper dimensions of a pickleball court is crucial for a fair and safe game. The standard dimensions are 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, with a net height of 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center. The court should have clear markings for the boundaries, centerline, and NVZ and a non-slip surface with adequate traction. Ensure that there is enough clearance around the court and proper lighting if playing at night.
