Equipment You Need To Play Pickleball Anywhere

You don’t need a lot of equipment to play pickleball. As long as you have the space for a court, you can take your friends and family for a day of fun. Here is all the equipment you will need to play if you’re looking to set up your own game of pickleball without looking for a public or private court.

Equipment For Pickleball

The Space

Before we get to the actual equipment, the first and most obvious thing you will need to play pickleball anywhere is the space. The pickleball court is only 44 feet by 20 feet. You will want to keep in mind that you will need additional space around the court for balls that may go out during play.

If you’re trying to set up a temporary pickleball court in your own backyard, you will need adequate fencing so that balls do not fly out to neighboring homes. Keep your ceiling height in mind if you’re in an indoor space.

The Pickleball Net

Next, you will need a portable net unless you’re already on a tennis court with a tennis net. Keep in mind that if you’re using a tennis net, it is higher than a pickleball net. A tennis net set by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) is 42 inches at the posts and 36 inches at the center.

A pickleball net on the other hand should be 36 inches at the side posts and 34 inches at the center. Since the width dimension of the pickleball court is narrower than a tennis court, lowering your tennis net by two inches at the center should be sufficient for a fun game.

Otherwise, a portable net is easy to put together and you can take it anywhere with you.

Line Markers

Next, you will need a way to line your courts. There are many ways to do this depending on where you are, what your court surface will be, and how temporary you want your court to be. You can use sidewalk chalk or painter’s tape on concrete. If you are on grass, you can use washable spray chalk.

But the easiest way to set up and remove boundaries no matter the type of surface you have is by using line markers. You will need a measuring tape long enough to know your dimensions for where to place the corners and lines.

Pickleball Paddles

There are a ton of pickleball paddles on the market. If you’re a beginner looking to play with your family, the easiest and best value is to buy a full set for under $100.

As a beginner, you may not be able to tell the difference in performance nor need the nuance of most premium pickleball paddles offered on the market. You may also not want to waste time researching the best paddle until you learn how to play the game and know you will play it often enough.

Pickleballs

While pickleball paddle sets do come with their own pickleball, it is important to keep in mind that there are outdoor pickleball and indoor pickleball. The Franklin X-40 Pickleball Ball is a commonly used ball for most outdoor games, including many tournaments. For indoor play, we recommend the Onix Pure 2 Indoor Pickleball Balls.