The great thing about pickleball is how quick and easy it is to pick up and play. With fairly simple rules and a quick learning curve, the only thing between you and hours of competitive fun is a few pieces of equipment. To play a full game of pickleball, you’ll need a court, net, ball and one paddle for each player.

The Court

A regulation pickleball court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide on the outside of the lines, which are generally 2 inches thick. The net crosses over the very center of the court. The non-volley zone extends 7 feet from the net in each direction, and the centerline extends from the edge of the non-volley zone to the baseline.

Courts should be completely flat and level, and are generally painted on a surface of concrete or asphalt, then surfaced with acrylic, epoxy, or polyurethane. As long as the surface is smooth and flat, you should be able to play.

Indoor pickleball is sometimes played on interior surfaces like hardwood. In this case, indoor pickleballs should be used, but court and net dimensions are the same.

The Net

The pickleball net crosses over the center of the court in between the non-volley zones. It stands 36 inches tall at the posts and 34 inches tall at the center. The net posts typically extend 12 inches past the sideline on both sides of the court, making the net 22 feet long in total. The net should be tight and firm.

The Pickleball

The ball used to play pickleball is round and made of hard plastic, polyethylene. It has a diameter of about 2.97 inches and a weight of about 0.9 ounces. The ball has 40 small holes drilled in it at equal spacing to help it fly through the air. Pickleballs are usually made in fluorescent colors to maximize visibility.

Indoor pickleballs are similar but with some key differences. They are smaller and lighter by a small amount, and are made from a softer plastic. They have 26 large drilled holes instead of 40 small ones, and are less suited for use on outdoor surfaces.

The Paddle

Unlike the ball, net, and court, pickleball paddles can vary quite a bit in size, weight, and material. The paddle is a flat surface attached to a short handle that extends from the base of the striking area. The only requirements are that the paddle is made of an approved material that is rigid and non-compressible. Approved materials include graphite, fiberglass composite, carbon fiber, and wood. Soft and textured materials like foam core and rubber are banned in most competitive play.

The combined length and width of the paddle should not exceed 24 inches. The paddle length should not exceed 17 inches. There is no restriction on paddle thickness or weight.

Each player plays with their own paddle, so at least one paddle per player is required.

With a court, net, ball, and paddles, you have everything you need to play a full game of pickleball. Lifetime has premium pickleball equipment to get you started! While not required, a nice cooler can help keep you and your friends hydrated when you work up a sweat playing this exciting game!