What started with a means of keeping the kids engaged on a sunny afternoon on Bainbridge Island in Seattle, grew into an international sport with over 60 member nations associated with its International Federation. Pickleball: A game that is gaining as much popularity for its quirky name as it is for the simple rules of its play.
Whether you are new to Pickleball or a professional player in love with the sport, this 5 must-know fact sheet is a must read. For beginners it is like an introductory class to Pickleball and as for the pro players, let’s check out your knowledge of Pickleball: court dimensions and layout.
What is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a unique social sport that presents a charming fusion of the elements of Tennis, Badminton, and Ping Pong. It is played on a Badminton sized court, with a paddle and ball like the Ping Pong, and utilises a Tennis like net.
The rules of this game are quite simple and easy to learn, making it suitable for casual plays. However its fast-paced rallies and strategic gameplay make it a perfect fit for a competitive and interesting play. Pickleball is played in both formats: singles and doubles. Wondering how it got its quirky name? Read further to unravel the secret!
Why is it called Pickleball?
With a name like “Pickleball”, the story behind its naming is bound to be interesting too. There are two theories surrounding its name. The first theory stems from a friendly dog named ‘Pickles’ who chased after the ball and stole it during the games. While the other comes from “Pickle boat”, a term used in rowing for a crew formed of the leftover rowers, a perfect metaphor, don’t you think? (for a game with borrowed elements).
What are Pickleball Courts Made of?
The knowledge of a sport’s court is important before setting forth to play it. It allows a deeper understanding of the playing field which aids gaming strategy. This knowledge is equally important if you are considering building a pickleball court.
An outdoor pickleball court is usually constructed using hard materials like concrete or asphalt, it is then coated with acrylic sand loaded sport surfacing for traction. An indoor pickleball court however may utilise wood or rubber for, flooring professional courts on the other hand utilise A layered, 100% acrylic-based court surfacing system infused with recycled rubber to create a cushioned playing surface—typically used for tennis, pickleball, basketball, and multi-use courts for enhanced comfort and preventing player injuries.
What is the size of an Outdoor Pickleball Court Size?
Another important aspect of starting any sport is the knowledge of its court dimensions or size. This allows players to strategise the gameplay and plan their moves. When it comes to pickleball, the standard pickleball court measurements are 44 feet ✕ 20 feet i.e. 44 feet long and 20 feet wide. The Pickleball court also has a non-volley zone, this zone is 7 feet from the net on both sides. To allow room for players to move safely and comfortably, the total recommended court size is 30 feet wide by 60 feet long. This includes:
✅ 5 feet of extra space on each side (left and right)
✅ 8 feet of extra space in total for the baselines (4 feet behind each)
Let’s break down this information further.
5 Must-Know Facts about Outdoor Pickleball Court Dimensions and Layout
The must-know facts about pickleball court dimension and layout include:
Overall Court Size:
The overall size or dimensions of a pickleball court is 44 ✕ 20 feet. However, to allow for player movement, it is advised to construct a Pickleball court with an overall playing field of 60 ✕30 feet.
Non-Volley Zone Size
A feature unique to the Pickleball game is the Non-Volley Zone, also called the “Kitchen”. True to its name, the players are not allowed to volley in this zone. It extends to 7 feet on both sides of the net.
Net Height
The height of a Pickleball net is 36 inches in the sidelines and 34 inches in the center, creating a dip in the middle.
Service Area
A Pickleball court has two service areas on each side of the court divided by a centre line. The service area is the region where all serves must land. The dimensions of each service area is 15✕10 feet.
Line Width
All the lines on the Pickleball court including baselines, sidelines, non-volley zone lines, and center lines are 2 inch wide. The width of these lines is included in the overall size of the court.
How are Indoor and Outdoor Pickleball Courts Different?
The indoor and outdoor Pickleball courts are similar in terms of the size of the court, they however differ in terms of the playing environment, surface, and the pickleballs used. Here’s a comparison of the Indoor and Outdoor Pickleball courts based on the aforementioned three criteries:
Environment:
Indoor:
Indoor Pickleball courts provide a consistent and climate-controlled environment to the players, protecting them from sun glare, wind, rain, and extreme temperatures. This results in a more predictable gameplay and eliminates the need to adjust for changing weather conditions.
Outdoor:
Outdoor Pickleball courts are often exposed to the elements which significantly impacts the game. For instance, wind can affect the ball trajectory, and sun glare can make it difficult to see the ball.
Surface:
Indoor:
Indoor courts generally have a hard, smooth surface made of wood, rubber or concrete. This provides a consistent bounce and allows for a faster game pace.
Outdoor:
Outdoor courts require durable, weather-resistant surfaces like asphalt or specialized pickleball surfaces to withstand the elements: temperature changes, rain, and UV exposure.
Ball Characteristics:
Indoor:
Indoor balls are typically made of a softer plastic and have larger holes, making them more bouncy and slower than outdoor balls.
Outdoor:
Outdoor balls are made of a harder plastic with smaller, more numerous holes, so as to be more durable and less affected by the wind.
Indoor vs Outdoor Pickleballs
A comprehensive comparison of the indoor and outdoor pickleballs reveals that the two balls differ in terms of the material used, its hardness, weight, number and width of the holes.
Number of holes :
An indoor pickleball has 26 holes while the outdoor pickleball has 40 holes, this difference is present to neutralise the effects of external factors like wind or surface of the court.
Hole diameter :
An indoor pickleball has wider holes than the outdoor pickleball. This is because of aerodynamics to allow the outdoor ball to stay true to its intended course.
Weight:
There is a nominal difference in the weight of an indoor and outdoor pickleball to allow the ball to travel easier outdoors in case of wind.
Hardness:
Although both the indoor and outdoor pickleballs are made of plastic, their hardness differs with outdoor pickleball being harder than the indoor pickleball for a faster play.
Durability:
A pickleball starts to crack over time with exposure to the elements and due to hardness. An indoor pickleball lasts longer than the outdoor one.
Need Help with Pickleball Court Design & Construction?
A careful construction and designing of the Pickleball court is important to ensure it lasts for generations. Whether you are planning to build an indoor or outdoor Pickleball court Pine State Asphalt has a team of seasoned specialists who can create the best court for your recreational or professional needs. You can also experience the finest craftsmanship of a mutli-athletic court that combines Tennis, Pickleball, or any other sport in a single layout that maximizes the use of your space.
Takeaway
Pickleball is a popular sport with a unique combination of elements of Tennis, Badminton, and Ping Pong. It is a versatile sport that can be enjoyed by youngsters, adults, and elderly alike. Before setting forth to play or design a pickleball court, it is important to have an understanding of the type of surface material, the court dimensions and size for a quality experience. Reach out to Pine State Asphalt Athletic Courts for any queries on Pickleball court designing and construction.
