Adaptive pickleball is a form of pickleball, created mainly for people with disabilities. Although it is generally interchanged with the term “wheelchair pickleball,” there are many adaptive players who are not in a wheelchair.
Adaptive pickleball has its own rules — but adaptive players can also play in a “regular” pickleball game and bring their rules with them. If you show up to the court and an adaptive player wants to play, here are some things to know:
What is Adaptive Pickleball?
Adaptive Pickleball was created for players with disabilities, not just players in a wheelchair. This can include:
Players in a wheelchair.
Players with a visual impairment.
Deaf players.
Players with any mobility constraints.
People with mental or neurological disabilities that affect their physical ability.
Players with other physical disabilities.
There is no one definition of what can be an adaptive pickleball player, so use your judgment (and empathy) when deciding if a player is allowed to play with adapted rules. Different clubs and courts may have their own rules for who constitutes an adaptive pickleball player.
Adaptive players are allowed to play with a different set of rules, but it doesn’t mean they cannot play with you in a regular game.
Adaptive Pickleball rules
There are really only a few rules of Adaptive Pickleball that are different from the regular rules of pickleball:
Adaptive players may allow the ball to bounce twice before returning the ball.
The second bounce is allowed to be anywhere on the playing surface, including outside the court boundaries.
For players in a wheelchair, the wheelchair shall be considered a part of the player’s body.
A player in a wheelchair can be someone with a disability or someone who wants to play in a wheelchair.
At the moment the ball is served, both rear wheels of the wheelchair should be on the playing surface behind the baseline and may not touch the court on or inside the baseline, or outside the imaginary extensions of the sideline and centerline.
All players must still follow normal non-volley zone rules, except:
For players using wheelchairs, the front (smaller) wheels may touch the kitchen zone during a volley.
Kitchen rules for contact, momentum, and establishing yourself outside the kitchen zone are the same as regular pickleball rules.
In sanctioned tournaments, adaptive players (including players in a wheelchair) may play in Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles with either a stand-up partner or another Adaptive Player.
Read the official rules for Adaptive Pickleball here.
Why is Adaptive Pickleball important?
Pickleball has always been a welcoming sport for people of all different physical abilities. Adaptive Pickleball allows everyone to play this sport we all love so much in an inclusive way.
Just because someone is not showing outward signs of a physical disability does not mean they don’t have one. The modified rules may be the reason they feel comfortable showing up — and just like the rest of us, pickleball can change their lives.
How to play doubles with an Adaptive Pickleball partner
Playing alongside, or across from, an Adaptive Pickleball player can be a fun and new adventure. Here are a few tips to playing on the same court as an Adaptive player:
Whether they are your partner or opponent, make sure you are listening to their needs and communicating with them about the best way you can play together.
Do your best to understand their limitations and any adjustments they may need.
This can include official rule changes they are allowed to play with (like one extra bounce) or less tangible needs, like needing extra time between rallies.
Understand the rules of the Adaptive Pickleball game.
Remember, just because you are playing with (or against) an Adaptive player does not mean you are using the same rules as them. But by understanding the difference between your rules and their rules, you will be able to give everyone a great experience.