USA Pickleball Official Rulebook: An Overview of the Court Specification

Pickleball, a fast-paced and exciting sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong, has gained much popularity in the United States. As increasingly more individuals are interested in the sport, many are considering the creation of their own pickleball courts. 

At the core of a successful pickleball match lies the court itself, ensuring a fair and safe experience for everyone. In this article, we explore the court specifications outlined in the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, providing a comprehensive guide for those interested in constructing or maintaining a pickleball court. 

The official specifications for pickleball courts

Dimensions:

• The standard pickleball court measures 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, with a total playing area of 30 feet by 60 feet.
• The court is divided into two halves by a net, creating two playing areas.

The dimensions of the court are an important aspect of pickleball, ensuring consistency and fairness during gameplay. The standard court size of 20 feet by 44 feet provides players with ample space to move around. The clear division of the court by the net allows for a clear distinction between the two sides and ensures that players on each side have an equal opportunity to participate in the game.

Playing Surface:

• The playing surface of pickleball courts should be level, and free from any cracks, irregularities or hazards.
• A non-reflective color, preferably green or blue, is recommended for the playing surface to provide optimal visibility for players.  

The quality of the playing surface is essential for maintaining player safety and enabling a fair game. To reduce the risk of slips, falls and other accidents, it is important to ensure good traction and grip on the court. At SlipDoctors, we recommend Alpha Grip, an anti-slip solution for pickleball court surfaces. 

Alpha Grip is a water-based, eco-friendly paint that is highly durable and non-slip. It can be applied to concrete, asphalt and more. This paint is specifically designed to prevent slipping on surfaces. It is a non-toxic product that is easy to apply and maintain. With Alpha Grip, you can also convert an existing courts into a pickleball court.

Court Markings:

• The court should be marked with clear boundary lines that indicate the playing area, sidelines and non-volley zone.
• The boundary lines should be 2 inches wide and preferably in a contrasting color to the playing surface.
• The non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen, is a 7-foot area on either side of the net where players are not allowed to volley the ball.

Clear boundary lines define the playing area, enabling players to distinguish between in-bounds and out-of-bounds shots accurately. The width of the boundary lines at 2 inches helps players identify the boundaries more easily. The non-volley zone, marked on both sides of the net, emphasizes the strategic aspect of the game by restricting players from volleying the ball while standing inside this designated area.

Net:

• The net should be positioned at the center of the court, spanning the entire width of the playing area.
• The height of the net at the center should be 34 inches, measuring from the ground to the top of the net.
• The net should be taut and remain in position throughout the match, without any sagging or excessive tension.

Placing the net at the center ensures equal distances between both sides, providing a balanced playing field. A properly tensioned net, free from sagging or excessive tension, also ensures consistent gameplay and fair exchanges between players.

Ready to create or maintain your pickleball court? 

If you're interested in enhancing your pickleball court to ensure fair and safe play for everyone, talk to the team at SlipDoctors. We will help you to create a court that has a safe surface for all players and matches current official specifications with our pickleball anti-slip for court line solution.