How to Build a Pickleball Court
Pickleball is a relatively new sport that's a combination of tennis, ping pong and badminton. It's a fantastic sport because of its accessibility — you don't need hours of training to be able to play...
Can You Play Pickleball on a Tennis Court?
Pickleball, a racket sport, combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis and can have either indoor or outdoor courts. Aside from a lined court and a net, the only equipment you need to play pickleball is a paddle, usually between eight and 15 inches long, and a ball, which has holes in it like a whiffle ball but is more durable.
Played in either singles or doubles, the game begins with a serve that must land diagonally across the court. After the serve, the two teams volley the ball, rallying until one team hits it out of bounds, into the net or lets it double bounce. Also, only the serving team can score. Pickleball’s unique rules, like the two-bounce rule and the non-volley zone, called “the kitchen,” make pickleball a fun and face-paced game perfect for players of any skill level.
Standard Pickleball Court Dimensions
The dimensions of a standard pickleball court are 20 feet wide and 44 feet long for singles and doubles, the same measurements as a doubles badminton court. The net, 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the center, divides the court into two 22-foot sides. Then, each side of the court has a seven-foot non-volley zone, or kitchen. That leaves 15 feet for the service areas, divided in half, so the right and left sides of the court have a 10-foot-wide and 15-foot-long service area. Court measurements include the outermost edges of the court lines.
Pickleball Court vs. Tennis Court
Though tennis is one sport that inspired the invention of pickleball, aspects of the game are not interchangeable without some adjustments. While they are both rectangular, the ideal pickleball court is smaller than a tennis court. Specifically, a pickleball court for singles and doubles is 20 feet by 44 feet, whereas a tennis court for a singles match is 78 feet long and 27 feet wide, and a doubles match is 78 feet by 36 feet wide.
Another distinction between a pickleball court and a tennis court is the area referred to as the "kitchen." Unlike in tennis, where you can volley the ball from any point within bounds, pickleball courts have a seven-foot no-volley zone on each side of the net. Additionally, a tennis net's center must be three feet tall, whereas a pickleball net must be 34 inches high.
The two sports also vary in their scoring systems. The most significant difference is that in pickleball, you can only score on your team’s serve, which requires specific pickleball strategies.
Easy Tips to Make a Pickleball Court
Because the game of pickleball began with homemade equipment and simple rules before growing to an international sport, having an impromptu game or making a temporary pickleball court does not have to be challenging.
The first step to building a DIY pickleball court is to determine court layouts and decide how you can maximize your available space. While requirements are 20 feet by 44 feet, the USA Pickleball Association recommends leaving room for 34 feet by 64 feet. However, if you're creating something for casual play instead of tournament play, you can adjust the pickleball court setup accordingly.
Another essential aspect of any official pickleball court is the surface material. You have a few different options to consider for your pickleball court surfaces. Concrete pickleball courts provide excellent durability and value. Asphalt offers similar qualities to concrete, but requires some additional upkeep. Snap-together plastic tiles are another option. You can apply these over concrete or asphalt to restore your court's looks. Though these plastic tiles are attractive and provide excellent shoe grip and body impact, they can be pricey.
The next thing to consider is the type of net system you want to have. You can choose either permanent nets built into your court or portable nets you can take with you during travel.
The final stages to wrap up your pickleball court setup are to choose the fencing, lighting and marking lines. If you build an outdoor court, deciding whether you want a fence is critical, especially if you build somewhere with large open areas. Using cones and court markers are also an option.
 Cones |
 Court Markers |
Regardless of whether you have an indoor or outdoor court, you also need to consider your lighting options. If you build an outdoor court, think about the times of day you will most likely play and how the sun and shaded areas may affect your play. The final touches to your court include setting it up by painting pickleball lines and getting ready for play.
Choosing Rhino Pickleball
Whether you are new to pickleball or an avid player, if you want to play pickleball either recreationally or competitively, Rhino Pickleball has all the equipment you will need. Created by Champion Sports, we strive to manufacture high-quality materials to enhance your gameplay.
At Rhino Pickleball, we offer a selection of paddles and two-player paddle sets to get you ready for any game.
One USA Pickleball Association-approved paddle we sell is our APEX Pickleball Paddle, which has a mid-weight feel designed for peak performance.
Another popular option we have is the VAPOR Pickleball Paddle, featuring a dual-plated aluminum surface and a solid plastic surrounding edge to change your game.
Another crucial part of pickleball is the ball itself. We offer multiple series of pickleball sets, including the Storm Series, perfect for indoor play, and the Revolution Series, designed to maximize outdoor play. We make our pickleballs to last, giving you quality and durability with strategically aligned holes for optimal balance based on indoor and outdoor conditions.
We also have two choices of pickleball nets, each designed to optimize your gameplay.
We've constructed our standard Rhino Pickleball Net, with a heavier weight to provide wind resistance and durability and a steel frame that makes it easy to assemble.
The other pickleball net we can supply you with is the Rhino Deluxe Pickleball Net with Wheels. This model comes on sturdy four-inch locking wheels, giving it a dimension of portability that makes it a perfect net for on-the-go play.
Contact Rhino Pickleball Today
As a company that values our customers and offers high-quality products with competitive pricing, we would love to help support you on your journey into the pickleball world.
Whether you are a beginner who wants to play recreationally or a seasoned player looking for some competition, we are here to help you. If pickleball sounds like a game you could enjoy, visit us at Rhino Pickleball today to get started! Visit our online store to browse our equipment or use our contact page to ask any questions or give us suggestions!
