If you live in an area with extreme temperatures during different seasons, playing pickleball outdoors can be hard. But what are the differences between playing pickleball indoors vs outdoors? From the court to equipment to elements, here is what you need to know.
The Court
While the dimensions of the pickleball court remain the same whether you’re playing indoors or outdoors, the court surface can be totally different. Many pickleball indoor courts are temporary courts taped over smooth courts. They’re usually at public rec centers that share badminton, basketball, or indoor volleyball courts.
Since there are lines from other sports, it can get pretty confusing to watch your kitchen and sidelines. If you’re playing in one of these courts for the first time, you may find it hard to keep up. You do eventually get used to it with regular play.
Another noteworthy part of the court is the pickleball net. Many pickleball outdoor places have permanent pickleball nets that are more sturdy. So when a ball hits the top of the tape, the ball may not go over.
But many indoor pickleball nets are portable nets that are overall lighter in the material. You may find that the pickleball may go over the other side when it hits the top of the tape.
Indoor Vs Outdoor Pickleball Balls
The pickleball used in indoor vs outdoor courts is different. Unless the indoor court has an outdoor surface, the pickleball used for smooth indoor surfaces is made of thicker plastic as shown. Therefore the weight and bounce will be slightly different. Applying spin will also be slightly different.
Because of the thicker material of the ball, fewer environmental factors such as the cold, and the smoother surface of an indoor court, the indoor pickleball is also less prone to crack.
Environmental Factors
The biggest difference when it comes to playing pickleball indoor vs outdoor is the environmental factors. When you’re playing pickleball outdoors, you have to deal with the outside elements. The sun can affect your lobs and overheads.
In indoor courts, you may also have basketball baskets that are folded up toward the ceilings. If you’re lobbing and the ball hits the basket or any permanent object, the point is over in your opponent’s favor. The sounds of the ball bouncing against an outdoor court will also be different than the echoes that can often be present on indoor courts.
But the one factor that makes the biggest difference is the presence of wind when playing outdoors and the lack of presence of wind when playing indoors. Whether you’re serving, returning, or dropping the ball, you may need to constantly adjust when you’re playing outdoors. However, you don’t have to worry about this when playing pickleball indoors.
If you’re regularly playing in one and are entering a tournament that uses the other type of court, these are points to keep in mind. You will want to get to the tournament early to get used to the way the ball bounces and how it feels on your paddle.
Indoor Vs Outdoor Pickleball Shoes
While you do want to make sure that you’re wearing proper court shoes to play any racquet sport, indoor and outdoor court shoes are slightly different. The rubber of indoor soles is made softer for smooth floors. They are normally advertised as volleyball shoes.
Meanwhile, court shoes that are designed for outdoor have harder soles to last longer on concrete.
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