Court And Equipment

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.

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).

2.A.4.
Wheelchair
(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.
The lines and areas of the standard pickleball court are explained below.

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 a line between the two sidelines (nonvolley 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 courts.

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.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 +/- 0.0 Inches (6.71 m) 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.
Center Strap and Height
A center strap is recommended for permanent net and must be placed at the center of the net to enable easy adjustment to the 34-inch (86.36-cm) requirement at center. The top shall be 36 inches (91.44 cm) high at the sidelines.

2.C.6.
If the net drapes onto the court and such a configuration is not corrected by the tournament staff prior to the start of play, and if the referee deems a ball is affected by the draping net, it shall result in a replay.

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
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.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, non-compressible 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 or indentations that break the paddle skin or surface.

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.
The only alterations or additions that may be made to a commercially made paddle are edge guard tape, lead tape, changes to the grip size or grip wrap, 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.
Hand-drawn or handwritten markings are allowed on the paddle’s playing surface as long as they do not impact the surface roughness and are in good taste. No aftermarket graphics are allowed on a commercially made paddle other than “hand-drawn” or “handwritten” pen markings. Any hand-drawn or handwritten depictions must be in good taste.

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.6.e
Removable parts. No removable parts except for paddle grip adjustments and/or grip wraps and lead tape on the paddle edge.

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.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/IFP Approved Paddle List as Pass, the following penalties apply: 1) If the violation is identified prior to the match starting, the player may switch to a paddle listed as Pass on the USA PICKLEBALL/IFP Approved Paddle List without penalty. 2) If the violation is identified after the match has started, the player or team forfeits only the match being played. 3) If the violation is discovered after the match has concluded, the match results stand.

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 nonchargeable time-out. If the player refuses to comply with the apparel rules, the Tournament Director may declare a forfeit of the match.