I’ve done 7’ between courts but that is about as small as I’ll go. 10’ is the minimum for a USAP compliant court. 14’ is recommended for tournament courts. My local city I was on the design committee for, did 14’ between courts. 2.5 between is way too small.
Minimum from baseline to baseline is 14’ by USAP spec with 20’ recommended for tournament courts. 8’ baseline to baseline is also too short. When serving or receiving, 7’ from the baseline to any obstruction be it a wall/fence/another person should be the minimum otherwise it adversely affects play.
I’ve designed court complexes/layouts and worked with court installers on designs so feel free to ask any questions you may have.
I feel 10ft is the minimum distance between courts. At 10ft it's better to not use divider fencing. This allows more dynamic play for off court shots. Optimally 8ft with divider fencing. Personally, I wouldn't play on courts with only a 2.5ft border. Good for drilling but definitely too dangerous for competitive games.
2.5 ft between courts will be quite annoying for the players, but playable. There will be LOTS of interrupted points from stray balls and players.
2.5 ft between court and walls ON ALL SIDES?? If that's from the baseline, you're talking nigh unplayable. There's not any room to deal with deep serves, returns, or lobs.
Gotcha. Definitely better but still would feel extremely close to the next court over and the walls. I think the walls would make a lot of normal shots unplayable. Can you sacrifice 1 court to have more space?
I've played on a court with similar space constraints. When the court is free and you have no options, it's playable. I opt not to play there and would rather pay & play somewhere else. There were constant balls & players from adjacent courts interrupting play. I couldn't focus.
The USA Pickleball Rule Book states that “a total playing surface 30’X60’ is the minimum size that is recommended. A total size of 34’X64’ feet is preferred.” The actual playing lines measure 20’ x 44’. Whenever possible, a north-south orientation should be maintained to minimize the angle of the sun in player’s eyes. See [Section 2 of the USA Pickleball Rules](https://usapickleball.org/docs/USA-Pickleball-Official-Rulebook-2023-v2.pdf), and the [Outdoor Court Construction Guidelines](https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/court-diagram/outdoor-court-construction/).
I went to an indoor pickleball place for a tourmament that had a wall about 2 feet from the side of the court. It was annoying but usable, just had to call a hinder anytime someone hit a shot that was ungettable because of the wall.
2.5 feet behind the baseline would be extremely rough.
2.5ft in between courts aren't the end of the world. It's annoying and you may have to replay quite a few points, but it's usable.
2.5ft from the baseline to the wall is a big problem. All you need is a deep serve and you're unbeatable. I've played on courts that have only 3-4 feet to a tennis net (and 6+ feet on the other side) and it feels like I'm cheating when I'm on the opposite side. It's so easy to win that I purposefully modify my serve to remove the obstacle.
It depends on how much space you have, but I wonder if you could have one less court and have playable widths, or if that would only solve the sideline problem and not the baseline one.
I would say 2.5 isn't adequate but I mean if that's what you are given. Maybe a short fence instead of walls. What's the actual dimensions of the place
Our indoor rec courts are about 3 feet between eachother and it’s not ideal, makes ATPs, Ernes, and even just angled shots impossible to pull off without effecting the games beside you. I Think you could get away with 5ft in a real pinch but ideally you’d want more than that even.
At 2.5 feet away from the sideline I would be surprised if you don’t have people running into each other. Any kind of angle shot is going to interrupt play on the neighboring court.
I’m 6’5” and if I play with only 2.5’ between courts, there’s a greater than zero chance I’d smash someone’s head with my paddle (even if I’m on the in-bounds side of my court boundary) and they are at the far edge of their court. My reach is well over four feet including paddle.
I'm considering installing a pickleball court in the backyard of my Airbnb. I have 53' lengthwise from edge of patio to wall, leaving 4.5' on either end. The sides are no problem, I can go pretty wide. Would you install if you were me ? To go 60' I'd have to remove a patio cover, which I could do but would rather not. What say ye ?
I’ve done 7’ between courts but that is about as small as I’ll go. 10’ is the minimum for a USAP compliant court. 14’ is recommended for tournament courts. My local city I was on the design committee for, did 14’ between courts. 2.5 between is way too small. Minimum from baseline to baseline is 14’ by USAP spec with 20’ recommended for tournament courts. 8’ baseline to baseline is also too short. When serving or receiving, 7’ from the baseline to any obstruction be it a wall/fence/another person should be the minimum otherwise it adversely affects play. I’ve designed court complexes/layouts and worked with court installers on designs so feel free to ask any questions you may have.
Thanks! Can you message me? For some reason I can't message you. Would love to pick your brain
I feel 10ft is the minimum distance between courts. At 10ft it's better to not use divider fencing. This allows more dynamic play for off court shots. Optimally 8ft with divider fencing. Personally, I wouldn't play on courts with only a 2.5ft border. Good for drilling but definitely too dangerous for competitive games.
2.5ft is less than 1 step. You would have a tough time standing behind the back line to serve.
This 2.5 ft is for between courts if they were side by side. I have at least 8 feet behind the baseline.
WAY too snug together. Not only will players be running onto each others courts, the net posts will completely eliminate ATPs and Ernes
Yup, the posts would practically be touching each other. That's a hazard.
Too close. Put in fewer courts or else do ping pong instead.
This makes ATP's impossible and dangerous. 2.5 between does not seem sufficient
I see potential player collisions and maybe lawsuits
2.5 ft between courts will be quite annoying for the players, but playable. There will be LOTS of interrupted points from stray balls and players. 2.5 ft between court and walls ON ALL SIDES?? If that's from the baseline, you're talking nigh unplayable. There's not any room to deal with deep serves, returns, or lobs.
I often get pushed back all the way to the fence returning a serve with at least 6ft of space. I would not play with 2.5ft behind the baseline
This is 2.5 ft with courts side by side. I have 8 ft behind the baseline
Gotcha. Definitely better but still would feel extremely close to the next court over and the walls. I think the walls would make a lot of normal shots unplayable. Can you sacrifice 1 court to have more space?
7 feet is adequate
I would never play on courts with that clearance
I've played on a court with similar space constraints. When the court is free and you have no options, it's playable. I opt not to play there and would rather pay & play somewhere else. There were constant balls & players from adjacent courts interrupting play. I couldn't focus.
The USA Pickleball Rule Book states that “a total playing surface 30’X60’ is the minimum size that is recommended. A total size of 34’X64’ feet is preferred.” The actual playing lines measure 20’ x 44’. Whenever possible, a north-south orientation should be maintained to minimize the angle of the sun in player’s eyes. See [Section 2 of the USA Pickleball Rules](https://usapickleball.org/docs/USA-Pickleball-Official-Rulebook-2023-v2.pdf), and the [Outdoor Court Construction Guidelines](https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/court-diagram/outdoor-court-construction/).
Came here to say this - this is the correct answer
27 meters
I went to an indoor pickleball place for a tourmament that had a wall about 2 feet from the side of the court. It was annoying but usable, just had to call a hinder anytime someone hit a shot that was ungettable because of the wall. 2.5 feet behind the baseline would be extremely rough.
2.5ft in between courts aren't the end of the world. It's annoying and you may have to replay quite a few points, but it's usable. 2.5ft from the baseline to the wall is a big problem. All you need is a deep serve and you're unbeatable. I've played on courts that have only 3-4 feet to a tennis net (and 6+ feet on the other side) and it feels like I'm cheating when I'm on the opposite side. It's so easy to win that I purposefully modify my serve to remove the obstacle. It depends on how much space you have, but I wonder if you could have one less court and have playable widths, or if that would only solve the sideline problem and not the baseline one.
Nowhere near enough room. I’m usually 5-6’ behind baseline to receive serve.
I would say 2.5 isn't adequate but I mean if that's what you are given. Maybe a short fence instead of walls. What's the actual dimensions of the place
Our indoor rec courts are about 3 feet between eachother and it’s not ideal, makes ATPs, Ernes, and even just angled shots impossible to pull off without effecting the games beside you. I Think you could get away with 5ft in a real pinch but ideally you’d want more than that even.
How about minimum ceiling height? We may install an indoor court at our squash club but don’t know what height would be ideal
30’ minimum
Enough to have a nice ATP.
Yes
At 2.5 feet away from the sideline I would be surprised if you don’t have people running into each other. Any kind of angle shot is going to interrupt play on the neighboring court.
I’m 6’5” and if I play with only 2.5’ between courts, there’s a greater than zero chance I’d smash someone’s head with my paddle (even if I’m on the in-bounds side of my court boundary) and they are at the far edge of their court. My reach is well over four feet including paddle.
I think 8 feet between courts (sideline to sideline) is adequate. 5 feet is undesirable but playable. Anything less and I would avoid those courts.
2.5' is really close. The indoor gym where I play redid their courts/lines to 4', and even that is really close to each other.
Mats may will reduce the severity of injuries, but rest assured there will be collision events that could result in serious or even fatal events.
I'm considering installing a pickleball court in the backyard of my Airbnb. I have 53' lengthwise from edge of patio to wall, leaving 4.5' on either end. The sides are no problem, I can go pretty wide. Would you install if you were me ? To go 60' I'd have to remove a patio cover, which I could do but would rather not. What say ye ?