2.A. Court Specifications.
The dimensions and measurements for the standard pickleball court are:
2.A.1. The court shall be a rectangle measuring 20 feet (6.10 m) wide and 44 feet (13.41 m) long for both singles and doubles matches. (See Figure 2-1.)
2.A.2. Court measurements shall be made to the outside of the perimeter and non-volley zone lines. All lines should be 2 inches (5.08 cm) wide and the same color, clearly contrasting with the color of the playing surface.
2.A.3. The minimum playing surface area measures 30 feet (9.14 m) wide and 60 feet (18.29 m) long. A 10- foot (3.05-m) surrounding margin measures 40 feet (12.19 m) by 64 feet (19.51 m).
Other recommendations for playing surface dimensions are:
- New Construction: 34 feet (10.36 m) wide x 64 feet (19.5 m) long.
- Tournament Play: 34 feet (10.36 m) wide x 64 feet (19.5 m) long.
- Wheelchair Play: 44 feet (13.41 m) wide x 74 feet (22.56 m) long.
- Stadium Court: 50 feet (15.24 m) wide x 80 feet (24.38 m) long.
2.A.4. (Wheelchair) The recommended playing surface area for Wheelchair play is 44 feet (13.41 m) wide and 74 feet (22.55 m) long. The size for Wheelchair play in a stadium court is 50 feet (15.24 m) wide by 80 feet (24.38 m) long.
2.B. Lines and Areas.
2.B.1. Baselines. The lines parallel to the net at each end of the court.
2.B.2. Sidelines. The lines perpendicular to the net on each side of the court.
2.B.3. Non-Volley Zone (NVZ). The area of the court, specific to each team, on either side of the net, bounded by the non-volley zone line. The nonvolley zone line is a line between the two sidelines (non-volley zone line) parallel to and 7 feet (2.13 m) from the net. All NVZ lines are part of the NVZ.
2.B.4. Service Court. The area beyond the NVZ on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline.
2.B.5. Centerline. The line down the center of the court on either side of the net extending from the NVZ to the baseline separating the odd and even service courts. For Mini-singles, the centerline shall also extend through the non-volley zone.
2.B.6. Right/Even Court. The service area on the right side of the court when facing the net.
2.B.7. Left/Odd Court. The service area on the left side of the court when facing the net.
2.C. Net Specifications.
2.C.1. Material. The net may be made of any mesh fabric material that will not allow a ball to pass through it.
2.C.2. Posts. Net posts should be 22 feet +/- 1.0 inch (6.71 m +/- 2.54 cm) from the inside of one post to the inside of the other post. The maximum diameter of the net post should be 3 inches (7.62 cm).
2.C.3. Size. The net length should be at least 21 feet 9 inches (6.63 m) extending from one post to the other. The net height from the bottom edge of the net to the top should be at least 30 inches.
2.C.4. Edge. The top of the net should be edged with a 2- inch (5.08-cm) white tape binding over a cord or cable running through the binding. This binding must rest upon the cord or cable.
2.C.5. Net Height Measurement:
- Sidelines - At the location where the net crosses the sideline markers, the top of the net shall be 36 inches +/- .25 inch (91.44 +/- 0.635 cm) from the playing surface.
- Center - At the center point on the court that is equidistant from both sideline markers (10 feet from each sideline) the top of the net shall be 34 inches +/- .25 inch (86.36 +/- 0.635 cm) from the playing surface. If there is a center strap located 10 feet from the sidelines, the top of the net at the center strap shall be 34 inches +/- .25 inch (86.36 +/- 0.635 cm) from the playing surface.
2.C.6. Draping Net. Except on the serve, a replay will occur if the ball goes over the net and hits a draping net on the ground.
2.D. Ball Specifications.
2.D.1. Design. The ball shall have a minimum of 26 to a maximum of 40 circular holes, with spacing of the holes and overall design of the ball conforming to flight characteristics. The ball must have a manufacturer's or supplier’s name or logo printed or embossed on the surface.
2.D.2. Approval. The Tournament Director will choose the tournament ball. The ball selected for play in any USA PICKLEBALL-sanctioned tournament must be named on the official list of approved balls posted on the USA PICKLEBALL website: USA Pickleball.org.
2.D.3. Construction. The ball shall be made of a durable material molded with a smooth surface and free of texturing. The ball will be one uniform color, except for identification markings. The ball may have a slight ridge at the seam, as long as it does not significantly impact the ball’s flight characteristics.
2.E. Paddle Specifications.
2.E.1. Material. The paddle must be made of any material deemed safe and not prohibited by these rules. The paddle shall be made of rigid, noncompressible material meeting the criteria located on the USA PICKLEBALL website.
2.E.2. Surface. The paddle’s hitting surface shall not contain delamination, holes, cracks, rough textures, or indentations that break the paddle skin or surface, or any objects or features that allow a player to impart excessive spin on the ball.
- 2.E.2.a. Reflection. The paddle’s hitting surface shall not be adversely reflective, such that it has the potential to negatively affect the vision of opposing player(s).
2.E.3. Size. The combined length and width, including any edge guard and butt cap, shall not exceed 24 inches (60.96 cm). The paddle length cannot exceed 17 inches (43.18 cm). There is no restriction on paddle thickness.
2.E.4. Weight. There is no restriction on paddle weight.
2.E.5. Alterations. Altered paddles must meet all specifications.
- 2.E.5.a. Player alterations or additions to a commercially produced paddle as certified, may include items such as edge guard tape/replacements, weighted tape, weights for an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) integrated weight system, changes to the grip size via inserts, grip wraps, OEM interchangeable grips, OEM replacement paddle faces, and name decals and/or other identification markings on the paddle face.
- 2.E.5.b. Decals and tape can extend no farther than 1.0 inch (2.54 cm) above the top of the grip nor more than 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) inside the outer edge of a paddle or, if an edge guard is in place, 0.5 inch inside the edge guard.
- 2.E.5.c. The only permissible handwritten pen markings allowed on the paddle’s playing surface must be for identification purposes only (name, signature, phone, email address) or an autograph. No aftermarket graphics are allowed on a commercially made paddle.
2.E.6. Prohibited Surface Features and Mechanical Features.
- 2.E.6.a. Anti-skid paint or any paint textured with sand, rubber particles, or any material that causes additional spin.
- 2.E.6.b. Rubber and synthetic rubber.
- 2.E.6.c. Sandpaper characteristics.
- 2.E.6.d. Moving parts that can increase head momentum.
2.E.7. Model Designation. The paddle must have a manufacturer-provided and clearly marked brand and model name or model number on the paddle. The brand and model information may be shown on the paddle by a manufacturer affixed decal.
2.F. Equipment Approval and Authorization.
2.F.1. USA Pickleball-Approved Paddle List. Players are responsible for confirming that the paddle they are using for match play is approved and listed as “Pass” on the USA Pickleball-Approved Paddle List. The lists of approved equipment may be posted on the USA Pickleball website: USA Pickleball.org.
- 2.F.1.a. Violation. If at any point during the tournament it is determined that a player is using a paddle that violates any of the paddle specifications or is not listed on the USA PICKLEBALL Approved Paddle List as Pass, the following penalties apply:
- 2.F.1.a.1. If the violation is identified prior to the match starting, the player shall switch to a paddle listed as Pass on the USA PICKLEBALL Approved Paddle List. There is no penalty to switch paddles.
- 2.F.1.a.2. If the violation is identified after the match has started, the player or team forfeits only the match being played.
- 2.F.1.a.3. If the violation is discovered after the scoresheet is returned to the tournament operations desk, the match results stand.
2.G. Apparel.
2.G.1. Safety and Distraction. A player may be required to change apparel that is inappropriate, including that which approximates the color of the ball.
2.G.2. Depictions. Graphics, insignias, pictures, and writing on apparel must be in good taste.
2.G.3. Footwear. Shoes must have soles that do not mark or damage the court’s playing surface.
2.G.4. Violation. The Tournament Director has the authority to enforce apparel changes. If the Tournament Director enforces an apparel change, it will be a non-chargeable time-out. If the player refuses to comply with the apparel rules, the Tournament Director may declare a forfeit of the match.