To play pickleball on a tennis court, you’ll need to make some adjustments to the court layout and follow specific guidelines. Here’s a detailed explanation of how to set up and play pickleball on a tennis court:
Court dimensions: A pickleball court is smaller than a tennis court. The standard dimensions for a pickleball court are 20 feet wide by 44 feet long. A tennis court is 36 feet wide by 78 feet long for singles and 36 feet wide by 78 feet long for doubles. You’ll need to create temporary boundaries for the pickleball court on the tennis court.
Court lines: Use chalk or temporary court line tape to mark the pickleball court boundaries on the tennis court surface. Ensure the lines are straight and meet the correct dimensions. Some tennis courts may have blended lines for pickleball already marked.
Net height: A pickleball net is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high at the center. Tennis nets are typically 42 inches high at the sidelines and 36 inches high at the center. To adjust the net height, you can use a net strap or a similar device to lower the net to the appropriate height for pickleball.
Non-volley zone (kitchen): Mark the non-volley zone (NVZ) or kitchen on your temporary pickleball court. The NVZ is a 7-foot area extending from both sides of the net. Players cannot volley (hit the ball before it bounces) when standing within the NVZ.
Service boxes: Divide the court into left and right service boxes using temporary lines or chalk. Each service box should be 15 feet long (from the baseline to the non-volley zone) and 10 feet wide.
Equipment: Use pickleball paddles and either indoor or outdoor pickleball balls, depending on the court surface.
Rules: Follow standard pickleball rules for serving, scoring, and gameplay. Remember that in pickleball, the serve is underhand and must be executed below waist level. The ball must also bounce once on each side of the court before players can volley.
Safety: Ensure the temporary lines and court adjustments are safe and won’t cause players to trip or slip. If you’re using chalk or temporary court line tape, make sure they adhere well to the court surface and don’t create hazards.
Playing pickleball on a tennis court can be a fun way to enjoy the sport when dedicated pickleball courts are unavailable. Just make sure to adjust the court dimensions, net height, and follow standard pickleball rules for a great playing experience.