How to Set Up a Temporary Pickleball Court
As players all over the country flock to pickleball courts, you may find yourself in your actual kitchen more often than the kitchen you want to be in (or not in, really) on the court. This is unfortunate because it means you won't have ample time to practice those awesome new serves you just learned or get the workout you need.
You may be wondering how you are supposed to get better at pickleball if you never get to actually play pickleball?
The answer is simple:
It's time to set up your own temporary pickleball court.
First, let's explore the space you'll need.
Pickleball Court Dimensions
Whether for singles or doubles, the dimensions of a pickleball court are 20 feet wide by 44 feet long. The net is 36 inches tall at the sidelines and 34 inches tall in the middle. The total playing area is roughly 30 feet wide by 60 feet long. If you want it to be tournament size, you'll need a playing area of 34 feet by 64 feet.
What does this compare to? Well, the average car is about 5.5 feet wide. So, even a wide driveway probably won't do. However, the average residential street is about 24 feet wide. If you're fortunate to live on a very quiet street, this could be an option for you. Another great option is a backyard or public basketball court since those typically run around 30 feet by 50 feet.
Then, there are parking lots and schoolyards you could use, assuming you have permission or no one will care. Tennis courts make for an obvious great choice, but those will have likely already been converted.
As a last resort, you could build one in your basement if the space is large enough. Sure, you can't practice "sky ball" serves and you might crash into your holiday storage. But it might just be enough room to put your court in and help you get your game where you want it to be.
Whatever you choose, the goal is to have an area that is at least close to the right size, flat, and made of concrete or asphalt.
Why These Dimensions?
Without going into the history of pickleball too much, the creators of it originally played the game on a badminton court in their neighborhood. What’s the size of a badminton court? If you guessed 20 feet wide by 44 feet long…you’d be correct!
They also originally used Wiffle balls like we do today. Their paddles though, were ping-pong paddles, instead of the now-standard elongated ones.
Next, let's talk tools.
Tools Needed to Build a Pickleball Court
Assuming you have located a good space, you'll need some tools to mark the lines and build the net. There are online stores that sell portable net systems. For those, you'll simply need some pliers or other standard tools to put the net together, take it apart, and tighten it from time to time. Of course, if you want to make your own net, you may need a few extra tools like pipe saws, drills, and fasteners.
If you do want to create your own net, get enough PVC pipe to fit across the length of the court and make two poles at each end. Put the structure on some wheels and slide a net through it. Or you can go without a net since it's not an official court. Whatever you choose to make it out of, it'll be best if it's light, easy to take apart, and portable. Technically, you could also simply get some string and tie it to two poles. The court is temporary, so feel free to get creative.
Unless you own the space where you are placing the court, you'll want some white chalk, tape, or washable spray paint to draw the lines. You’ll also need a measuring tape.
And perhaps a big bag for all your supplies.
If you’re building a temporary court so that you can begin playing for the first time, you’ll need pickleball paddles and Wiffle balls as well.
Now, you have a space and you have some tools. Let's put it all together.
How to Set Up a Temporary Pickleball Court
Gather your gear and head to your space. Next, you'll need to measure and mark your lines.
To do that, measure each side of the court. From net to baseline, it should be 22 feet (44 feet total from the top of the court to the bottom), and side-to-side should be 20 feet. To mark the volley line, measure 10 feet from the baseline and draw a parallel line from side to side. From one adjacent corner of the court, all the way to the other should measure just over 48 feet.
If you need a diagram, check out this guide from USA Pickleball.
Stretch your net across the middle and place sandbags or weights on both sides to keep it from blowing away or falling over.
Feel free to build this net as technically sound and accurate as you wish. But remember, this is meant to be a temporary court that allows you an opportunity to play and practice more often. Unless you’re building a permanent pickleball court so that you can hold matches or really fine tune your game, then you just need to get close to what we’ve described above. Another thing that hasn’t changed since pickleball was created back in 1965, is that it’s meant to be fun and accessible to anyone and everyone.
Just like playing pickleball, the net doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to lead to a good time for all.
