Category: AskAL

The total playing area is 20 feet x 44 feet. The lines should be 2 inches wide.

Let’s get into a few more specifics.

Non-volley Zone

The non-volley zone (NVZ) is 20 feet wide and 7 feet long. It runs the entire width of the court and measures exactly 7 feet on either side of the net, for a total length of 14 feet. Also called the kitchen, the NVZ should be painted a consistent color on both sides of the net, but usually contrasts slightly with the rest of the pickleball court. 

Left Service Area

The left service area is made up of the left sideline, the baseline, and the centerline. It also sits directly underneath the kitchen, however, the kitchen lines are not considered as part of the service area. Both the left and right service areas measure 10 feet wide and 15 feet long.

Right Service Area

The right service area is made up of the right sideline, the baseline, and the centerline. It measures 10 feet wide and 15 feet long, including lines. 

Both sides of the pickleball court are symmetrical and have the exact same measurements. Similar to tennis, it’s common for competing teams to switch sides of the court during a pickleball match to ensure no team has an advantage due to sun, wind, or other court factors.

A. Let’s clarify. The kitchen is a non-Volley Zone and it is a more accurate name for the kitchen, so from now on we will refer to the kitchen as the non-Volley Zone (NVZ).

As always, the ball must bounce on your side before you can step into the NVZ. You must get out of the NVZ before you can hit the next ball.

The answer to the question above: This is a foot fault.

From the rulebook: 9. D. If a player has touched the non-volley zone for any reason, that player cannot volley a return until both feet have made contact with the playing surface completely outside the non-volley zone. A maneuver such as standing within the non-volley zone, jumping up to hit a volley, and then landing outside the non-volley zone is prohibited.

A. Yes, court shoes improves your stability and reduces injury.

It is important to wear court shoes when playing pickleball. They have the right kind of grip for the surface and provide the proper support for the quick movements. Having the right kind of shoes are important for comfort and injury prevention. Most players are going to be using tennis shoes for indoor and outdoor play. The challenge is finding the right court shoes for you.

If you go to a department store to buy tennis or court shoes, you may be misled. The salesperson may think that a cross trainer or running shoe will suffice but they would be wrong. Many local sporting good stores don’t offer much better advice.

I have found students coming to a lesson in running shoes. They may be comfortable and often they are lighter. However, a running shoe is designed to move forward. It also often has a lip on the side. This design will snag when you make quick lateral movements, causing you to fall. Wearing running shoes when playing pickleball can lead to injury.

Wearing a high-quality court shoe makes it easier to move properly on the court and will minimize your risk of injury.

How Often Should You Replace Your Tennis Shoes? How often should you be buying new shoes? How do you know when it’s time to replace your tennis shoes? Well, one way you can tell is to look at the bottom of your shoe. If you are starting to wear through the different layers of rubber you will be losing traction. You are not going to get as good of a grip out on the court and you may slip. It may be time to go get a new pair of tennis shoes.

There is a rule of thumb on this and it is that, if you play tennis 2 to 3 times a week in one pair of shoes, you probably need a new pair of shoes about every six months. Also, you need to consider if you are walking on the outer or inner edges of the sole. Then you could be wearing out the support your shoe provides.