Pickleball is a paddle sport that over the last 50-plus years
When using a tennis net to play pickleball, it has to be lowered to 34 inches at center. Pickleball nets are also 36 inches high at the baselines. The net is 20 feet long, and the mesh size has to be small enough to prevent a pickleball from going through it. A center strap located in the middle of the net is used to easily adjust the net to the proper height and hold it in place.
The net must also be constructed with a two-inch white binding edge, as this will provide a clear visual outline of the barrier. The cable that holds the net in place will run through the binding. Holding the cable up are posts, which should be placed one foot outside of the sidelines.
3.1. Material
The net may be made of any mesh fabric material that will not allow a ball to pass through it.
3.2. Posts
Net posts should be 22 feet (6.71 m) from the inside of one post to the inside of the other post. The maximum diameter of the net post should be 3 inches (7.62 cm).
3.3. Size
The net length should be at least 21 feet 9 inches (6.63 m) extending from one post to the other. The net height should be at least 30 inches (0.76 m) from top to bottom.
3.4. Edge
The top of the net should be edged with a 2-inch (5.08-cm) white binding over a cord or cable running through the binding. This binding must rest upon the cord or cable.
3.5. Height
The net shall be suspended over the center of the court and shall be 36 inches (91.44 cm) high at the sidelines and 34 inches (86.36 cm) high at the center of the court.
3.6. Center strap
A center strap is recommended for permanent nets, and should be placed at the center of the net to enable easy adjustment to the 34-inch (86.36-cm) requirement at center.
3.7. Bottom of the net
The net may touch the court but should not drape onto the court such that it could alter the play of the ball. Ties or other non-protruding apparatus should be used to prevent the bottom of the net from lying on the court. If such a configuration is not corrected by the tournament staff prior to the start of play and the referee deems a ball is affected by the draping net, it shall result in a replay.
