Pickleball court and home net setup: lines, height and play area

You do not need a country club to play pickleball. A flat driveway, a quiet parking lot or an unused tennis court can do the job, as long as the lines and net are right. This guide walks through marking the court, setting up a net and understanding the basic rules, using measurements from the official rules.

What you need

• A flat, clean surface with no cracks or standing water
• A pickleball net (portable or permanent)
• A tape measure at least 50 feet long
• Chalk, removable court tape or paint for lines (where allowed)
• Paddles and balls
• Optional: a broom or leaf blower to clear debris, and a carpenter's level

Step 1: choose the surface and space

1. Pick a flat spot. A court that slopes makes the ball bounce unpredictably, and water pools on dips. Asphalt and concrete are common. Look for cracks, gravel and oil.
2. Measure the space. A court is 44 by 20 feet. For comfortable play, a total area of about 30 by 60 feet is commonly cited as a minimum, and 34 by 64 feet is a tournament standard.
3. Look up. Check for branches, wires and basketball hoops that would interfere with a lob.
4. Think about the sun. Many people orient courts with the long sides running north to south, so players do not stare into a low sun. If you cannot, plan your play times.
5. Check the rules for your HOA, landlord or town about lines and noise.

Step 2: mark the court

The court has six key lines. All are 2 inches wide in official rules, and they count as part of the court.

1. Baselines: the two short back lines, 20 feet long.
2. Sidelines: the two long side lines, 44 feet long.
3. Net line: the center line across the middle, 22 feet from each baseline.
4. Kitchen lines (non-volley zone lines): two lines, each 7 feet from the net on either side, running the full width of the court.
5. Centerlines: a line down the middle of the court from each kitchen line to the baseline, dividing each side into two service courts.
6. Service courts: each 10 feet wide and 15 feet deep (from the kitchen line to the baseline).

To mark them:

1. Measure and mark the four corners of the 44 by 20 foot rectangle. Check that the diagonals are the same length, which tells you the corners are square. For a 44 by 20 rectangle, each diagonal is about 48 feet 4 inches.
2. Mark the center line across the middle, at 22 feet.
3. Mark the kitchen lines at 15 feet from each baseline, which is 7 feet from the net.
4. Mark the centerlines, 10 feet from each sideline.
5. Connect the marks with tape or chalk. On concrete or asphalt, many people use chalk or removable tape for temporary lines. Permanent paint is best done with permission.

Step 3: set the net

1. Place the net on the center line. The posts stand just outside the sidelines.
2. Raise it to height: 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center.
3. Check the height with a tape measure at the sidelines and the middle. Use a center strap or adjust the tension if the middle sags.
4. Check that the net is square, at right angles to the sidelines.
5. Anchor it. A portable net should be weighted or staked, especially outdoors. Do not leave it up in strong wind.

Official nets are about 21 feet 9 inches long, though lengths can vary.

Step 4: learn the basic rules

Pickleball rules are published by sanctioning bodies such as USA Pickleball, so check their current rulebook. Here is a simple overview for recreational play:

1. Serving: underhand, from behind the baseline, diagonally to the opposite service court. The serve must clear the kitchen.
2. Two-bounce rule: the serve must bounce once before the receiver returns it, and the return must bounce once before the serving team hits it. After that, volleys are allowed.
3. The kitchen: you cannot volley (hit the ball out of the air) while standing in the non-volley zone, or touching its line.
4. Scoring: only the serving side can score. Games are usually to 11 points and must be won by 2.
5. Faults: hitting the ball out, into the net, or volleying from the kitchen ends the rally.

Doubles is the most common format. Agree on how to call the score before you start, usually server's score, receiver's score and server number.

Step 5: stay safe

• Warm up and stretch.
• Wear court shoes to reduce ankle injuries.
• Eye protection is worth it.
• Clear the court of balls, and avoid stepping on them.
• Watch the heat. Hard surfaces get hot.
• Respect neighbors. The sound carries.

Troubleshooting

• Net sags: tighten it or use a center strap.
• Balls bounce unpredictably: the surface may be uneven or dirty. Sweep it, or find a better spot.
• Lines fade: use chalk, or tape for a day, or repaint with permission.
• Not enough space: consider a smaller practice area and use the yard fit calculator to see what fits.
• Wind: use heavier balls designed for outdoor play, and turn the court to reduce the wind's effect.