These days, pickleball is everywhere! Sometimes it’s a designated pickleball court, sometimes a hybrid: a tennis court with pickleball lines and a portable pickleball net. Either way, do you know the parts of the court and what the lines mean?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that is a cross between badminton, tennis, and table tennis. It is played on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net. The court is divided into two halves by the net, and there are a number of lines that mark the boundaries of the court and indicate where players can and cannot stand.
The Baseline
The baseline is the line behind which you must stand to serve in singles and doubles. It is also the line that players must not cross when volleying the ball.
The Sideline
The sideline is the line that runs parallel to the baseline. It is the boundary of the court on the sides.
The Non-Volley Zone (NVZ)
The non-volley zone (NVZ) is the area of the court that is 7 feet deep from the net. Players cannot volley the ball in the NVZ. The NVZ is marked by a line that runs parallel to the net, 7 feet from the baseline.
The Service Box
The service box is the area of the court where the server must stand to serve. The service box is located in the center of the court, and it is divided into two halves by a line that runs parallel to the net.
The Net
The net divides the court in half. It is 34 inches high in the center and 36 inches high at the net posts.
The Pickleball Court Dimensions
The pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. The net is 34 inches high in the center and 36 inches high at the net posts.
The Pickleball Serve
The serve is one of the most important shots in pickleball since you earn points only when you serve! The serve must be hit diagonally across the court and beyond the non-volley zone line. The first server always serves from the right side of the court.
The Rules of Pickleball
The rules of pickleball are relatively simple. The object of the game is to hit the ball over the net and onto your opponent’s side of the court. The ball can be volleyed (hit in the air) or as a groundstroke (hit after it bounces). Players cannot volley the ball while standing in the non-volley zone, or step directly after hitting a volley.
Safety Gear
Pickleball players should wear safety gear, including safety shoes, paddles, skin, eyes, and sun protection. Safety shoes will help protect your feet from injuries, paddles will help you hit the ball more accurately, skin protection will help protect you from the sun, eye protection will help protect your eyes from the sun and the ball, and sun protection will help protect you from sunburn.
Here is a video about what you need to know to play pickleball!
Pickleball Tips
There are a number of tips that can help you improve your pickleball game. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Practice your serve. The serve is one of the most important shots in pickleball, so it is important to practice it regularly.
- Learn the rules of the game. The rules of pickleball are relatively simple, but it is important to know them so that you can avoid making mistakes. Here is a link to the current 2023 Pickleball Rule Book.
- Be patient. Pickleball is a challenging game, but it is also a lot of fun. Be patient with yourself and your opponents, and you will eventually improve your game.
I hope this blog post has helped you learn about the parts of a pickleball court and what the lines mean. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
==>> Watch The 5 P’s of Pickleball! Click here or the image below!
