SECTION 2 – COURT AND EQUIPMENT

2.A.     Court Specifications. The dimensions and measurements for the standard pickleball court are:

2.A.1.    The court shall be a rectangle 20 feet (6.10 m) wide and 44 feet (13.41 m) long for both singles and doubles matches. See Figure 2-1.SECTION 2 – COURT AND EQUIPMENT,SECTION 2,COURT,EQUIPMENT,pickleball equipment, SECTION 2 – COURT AND EQUIPMENT, ExpertPickleball.com

2.A.2. Court measurements shall be made to the outside of the lines. All lines should be 2 inches (5.08 cm) wide and the same color, clearly contrasting with the color of the playing surface.

2.A.3.   A minimum playing surface area measuring 30 feet (9.14 m) wide and 60 feet (18.29 m) long is recommended. A 10-foot (3.05-m) surrounding margin with a larger size of 40 feet (12.19 m) by 64 feet (19.51 m) is preferred.

2.A.4. (Wheelchair) The recommended playing surface area for Wheelchair play is 44 feet (13.41 m) wide and 74 feet (22.55 m) long. The size for Wheelchair play in a stadium court is 50 feet (15.24 m) wide by 80 feet (24.38 m) long.

2.B.     Lines and Areas.

The lines and areas of the standard pickleball court are explained below. Also, see Figure 2-1.

2.B.1.    Baselines. The lines parallel to the net at each end of the court.

2.B.2.    Sidelines. The lines perpendicular to the net on each long side of the court.

2.B.3.    Non-Volley Zone (NVZ). The area of court bounded by three lines and the net: the parallel line 7 feet (2.13 m) from the net (non-volley- zone line) and the two sidelines, which are perpendicular to the net. All NVZ lines are inside the NVZ.

2.B.4.    Service Court. The area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ.

2.B.5.    Centerline. The line down the center of the court extending from the NVZ to the baseline separating the odd and even courts.

2.B.6.    Right/Even Court. The service area on the right side of the court when facing the net.

2.B.7.   Left/Odd Court. The service area on the left side of the court when facing the net.

2.C.     Net Specifications.

2.C.1.    Material. The net may be made of any mesh fabric material that will not allow a ball to pass through it.

2.C.2.    Posts. Net posts should be 22 feet from the inside of one post to the inside of the other post. The maximum diameter of the net post should be 3 inches.

2.C.3.    Size. The net length should be at least 21 feet 9 inches (6.63 m) extending from one post to the other. The net height should be at least 30 inches (0.76 m) from top to bottom.

2.C.4.    Edge. The top of the net should be edged with a 2-inch (5.08-cm) white binding over a cord or cable running through the binding. This binding must rest upon the cord or cable.

2.C.5.   Center Strap and Height. A center strap is recommended for permanent net and must be placed at the center of the net to enable easy adjustment to the 34-inch (86.36-cm) requirement at center. The top shall be 36 inches (91.44 cm) high at the sidelines.

2.C.6.  Draping Net. Except on the serve, a replay will occur if the ball goes over the net and hits a draping net on the ground.

SECTION 2 – COURT AND EQUIPMENT,SECTION 2,COURT,EQUIPMENT,pickleball equipment, SECTION 2 – COURT AND EQUIPMENT, ExpertPickleball.com

The ball pictured on the left, with larger holes, is customarily used for indoor play, and the ball pictured on the right is customarily used for outdoor play. Colors may vary. However, all approved balls are acceptable for indoor or outdoor play. The complete list of approved balls is on the USA PICKLEBALL website

2.D.     Ball Specifications.

2.D.1. Design. The ball shall have a minimum of 26 to a maximum of 40 circular holes, with spacing of the holes and overall design of the ball conforming to flight characteristics. The ball must have a manufacturer’s or supplier’s name or logo printed or embossed on the surface.

2.D.2. Approval. The Tournament Director will choose the tournament ball. The ball selected for play  in any USA PICKLEBALL sanctioned tournament must be named on the official list of approved balls posted on the USA PICKLEBALL website: USA Pickleball.org

2.D.3.   Construction. The ball shall be made of a durable material molded with a smooth surface and free of texturing. The ball will be one uniform color, except for identification markings. The ball may have a slight ridge at the seam, as long as it does not significantly impact the ball’s flight characteristics. (See Figure 2-2.)

2.E.      Paddle Specifications.

2.E.1.    Material. The paddle may be made of any material deemed safe and not prohibited by these rules. The paddle shall be made of rigid, non-compressible material meeting the criteria located on the USA Pickleball.org website.

2.E.2.    Surface. The paddle’s hitting surface shall not contain delamination, holes, cracks, rough textures, or indentations that break the paddle skin or surface, or any objects or features that allow a player to impart excessive spin on the ball.

2.E.2.a. Reflection. The paddle’s hitting surface shall not be adversely reflective, such that it has the potential to negatively affect the vision of opposing player(s).

2.E.3.    Size. The combined length and width, including any edge guard and butt cap, shall not exceed 24 inches (60.96 cm). The paddle length cannot exceed 17 inches (43.18 cm). There is no restriction on paddle thickness.

2.E.4.    Weight. There is no restriction on paddle weight.

2.E.5.    Alterations. Altered paddles must meet all specifications.

2.E.5.a. Player alterations or additions to a commercially produced paddle as certified, may include items such as edge guard tape/replacements, weighted tape, weights for an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) integrated weight system, changes to the grip size via inserts, grip wraps, OEM interchangeable grips, OEM replacement paddle faces, and name decals and/or other identification markings on the paddle face.

2.E.5.b. Decals and tape can extend no farther than 1.0 inch (2.54 cm) above the top of the grip nor more than 0.5 inch (1.27cm) inside the outer edge of a paddle or, ifan edge guard is in place, 0.5 inch inside the edge guard.

2.E.5.c. The only permissible handwritten pen markings allowed on the paddle’s playing surface must be for identification purposes only (name, signature, phone, email address). No aftermarket graphics are allowed on a commercially made paddle.

2.E.6.    Prohibited Surface Features and Mechanical Features.

2.E.6.a. Anti-skid paint or any paint textured with sand, rubber particles, or any material that causes additional spin.

2.E.6.b. Rubber and synthetic rubber.

2.E.6.c. Sandpaper characteristics.

2.E.6.d. Moving parts that can increase head momentum.

2.E.7.    Model Designation. Model Designation. The paddle must have a manufacturer-provided and clearly marked brand and model name or model number on the paddle. The brand and model information may be shown on the paddle by a manufacturer affixed decal.

2.F.      Equipment Approval and Authorization.

2.F.1.  USA PICKLEBALL Approved Paddle List – Players are responsible for confirming that the paddle they are using for match play is approved and listed as “Pass” on the USA PICKLEBALL Approved Paddle List. The lists of approved equipment may be posted on the USA PICKLEBALL website: USA Pickleball.org.

2.F.1.a. Violation. If at any point during the tournament it is determined that a player is using a paddle that violates any of the paddle specifications or is not listed on the USA PICKLEBALL Approved Paddle List as “Pass”, the following penalties apply.

2.F.1.a.1. If the violation is identified prior to the match starting, the player may switch to a paddle listed as Pass on the USA PICKLEBALL Approved Paddle List without penalty.

2.F.1.a.2. If the violation is identified after the match has started, the player or team forfeits only the match being played.

2.F.1.a.3. If the violation is discovered after the scoresheet is returned to the tournament operations desk, the match results stand.

2.G.     Apparel.

2.G.1.    Safety and Distraction. A player may be required to change garments that are inappropriate.

2.G.2.    Depictions. Graphics, insignias, pictures, and writing on apparel must be in good taste.

2.G.3.    Footwear. Must have soles that do not mark or damage the court’s playing surface.

2.G.4.    Violation. The tournament director has the authority to enforce apparel changes. If the player refuses to comply with the apparel rules, the tournament director may declare a forfeiture of the match.

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