TAKE THE FIRST STEP.
This guide has been put together to provide key information for anyone new coming into the sport. Around the world there a variations of formats of play and rules across different pro tours and associations. So please remember these are the basics, wherever you end up playing things may be slightly different.
Wear comfortable sports clothing, ideally thin layers and moisture wicking so that you can add or remove layers as you play, regardless of whether you're playing pickleball indoors or outside.
Pickleball is a court sport where lateral movement, a little like tennis, is the predominant movement. As such court shoes with good ankle support, and decent traction are highly recommended.
Pickleball can include fast and furious net play. More and more people are choosing to protect their eyes by wearing protective glasses made for sports.
A pickleball court is 44ft x 20ft, (same as a badminton court) as well as the boundary lines a pickleball specific court has a centre line, and a "no volley zone line", also known as the "kitchen line" on each side of the net. The badminton service line is closer to the net in badminton than the no volley zone line in Pickleball so in the UK many players have to use that line as the kitchen line.
In pickleball, the "kitchen" is another name for the non-volley zone. This is the area on each side of the net extending 7 feet into the court.
Players cannot volley the ball (hit it in the air before it bounces) while standing in the non-volley zone. This rule encourages rallies and prevents players from overpowering opponents with smashes right at the net.
A pickleball net is wider than a tennis net. It needs to be 22 feet wide (6.7 meters) to match the width of the pickleball court.
Height: The height of the net also differs slightly. In the center, a regulation pickleball net sits 34 inches (86 centimeters) high, while at the sides where it attaches to the posts, it can be slightly lower at around 36 inches (91 centimeters).
A pickleball paddle is used by players to hit the ball in pickleball. It is typically rectangular with rounded edges, combining a lightweight core with a surface of fiberglass, carbon fiber, or graphite. Paddles vary in weight, usually ranging from 6 to 14 ounces, and have different grip sizes to accommodate players’ hand sizes.
The pickleball ball is a lightweight, plastic ball with air holes. It is 2.87 to 2.97 inches in diameter, with 26 to 40 evenly spaced holes to ensure a consistent flight pattern. There are indoor and outdoor versions of the ball, with outdoor balls being slightly heavier and having smaller & more numerous holes so to withstand wind and other outdoor conditions.
