Pickleball is a paddle sport enjoyed by people of all ages. The game itself is fun, simple, and the rules are pretty straight forward. That said, for the veterans, it is a quick, fast-paced and competitive game which will require you to engage all your skill sets.
Pickleball sport combines different elements of tennis, Ping-Pong, and badminton. This sport is a great outdoor activity to enjoy with your friends, classmates or family.
Mainly they can be found in recreation centers, schools, and clubs and recently at homes. It does not consume a large area making it suitable in your compound.
Whether you are an enthusiast, a coach of a professional team, or a community team, the following guide will assist you in understanding the steps and basics of building a pickleball court.
Read Article: How Much Does it Cost to Build a Pickleball Court
A guide on building a pickleball court
1. Choose the right space
You may decide to convert your badminton or tennis court to play pickleball. This is because the technique used to construct a pickleball court is the same with tennis and badminton courts.
However, if you are building from scratch, it is essential to keep in mind the required size of the court and adjust to your situation or space available.
A standard pickleball court measures 20 by 44 feet. It is for both singles and doubles games. The net sideline height is 36 inches, while the middle height is 34 inches.
When converting a tennis court, the standard dimensions are 30 by 60 feet. For a stand-alone court, the preferable size is 34 by 64 feet as recommended for tournament games.
2. Decide on the type of court surface material
Deciding the type of surface material to use depends on a few factors. First, whether you are building from scratch or revamping an existing tennis court. And secondly the amount of cash you have.
The common types of surface materials for pickleball courts include;
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Concrete
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Asphalt
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Snap-together plastic
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Clay court
The concrete surface is a bit costly but, on the other hand, is very durable. Also, it the best surface material to use. For more affordable options, you can have asphalt, snap-together plastic or clay.
The snap-together plastic is excellent if you do not want to permanently change the surface of a court that is used for different other games.
3. Choose the perimeter fencing
Fencing is an essential aspect of a pickleball court as it ensures the ball doesn’t get far from the players. It contains the ball in the playing area and offers security to both players and spectators.
There are different types of fencing you can choose from, but the great ones are the wire fencing since they allow in light and allow spectators to watch the play.
If you decide on wire fencing, it will be essential to cover it with rust-resistant coating to protect it from wear and tear resulting from weather conditions.
4. Set up lighting on the court
The games can consume everyone, and you find yourselves playing in the early parts of the night. Therefore providing lights will be excellent to ensure matches can be settled, and there will be no postponement to the next day.
The standard lighting protocol includes two 1500 watt light poles. The poles should be at least 18 feet high, 22 feet high maximum. They should also be mounted at the center 25 inches from the back of the pickleball court.
5. Choose the net systems
After deciding on space and court materials to use, the next step is choosing the right net system for your court. There are many different kinds of poles and nets to choose from, and contacting an expert can be of great help.
Whatever pickleball net system you choose, you should keep in mind that an outdoor court needs to be designed in a unique way to withstand outdoor conditions.
The following is a complete set of an outdoor pickleball net system:
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Two poles
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One ratchet
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Sleeves
6. Set up the pickleball court
At this time, you have already picked the surface, fencing, other materials, and all that is left is installing components and building the pickleball court. The following tips will come in handy when setting up:
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Hiring an expert in pickleball construction. Even if you want to do the whole process by yourself, hiring an expert is essential. He/she will assist in ensuring everything is up to the required standard. It is especially vital for courts in clubs and schools.
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Orienting the court in a north-south direction. To avoid distraction brought about by sunlight, the north-south direction is a great place to start.
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Court lines markings. The lines should be marked in white and be at least 2 inches wide. It can be done using sidewalk chalk, blue chalk dust, acrylic paint, orange masking tape, or green tape.
The standard lines include:
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Baselines that are parallel to the pickleball net on both ends of the pickleball court.
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Sidelines on both sides of the court running at right angles to the net.
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Non-volley line. They are seven feet from the pickleball net running in a parallel manner to the net and are marked on the sides of the net in between both sidelines.
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Non-volley zones sometimes called the kitchen are zones of the court surrounded by sidelines, the non-volley line, and the pickleball net.
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Center-lines are marked on both sides of the net found between the baseline and the non-volley line.
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Service courts are surrounded by the non-volley line, baseline, and the sidelines on both sides of the night.
It is essential to follow the pickleball court guidelines from the pickleball association to produce a court system that is of the highest pickleball standard. If you are using paint to mark your painting, you should let it lie for twenty-four hours to give it ample time to dry.
If you are not applying paint, the court should be ready to host the first game once you have all the markings.
Pickleball is inexpensive and is a great way to socialize and keep fit. With the above guidelines, you can build your pickleball court in your backyard to play the game with your friends and family.