Indoor vs. Outdoor Pickleball: What are the Differences?
Pickleball is a sport that can be played indoors and outdoors, making it very versatile. Naturally, it’s safe to assume that there will be some critical differences between these two options. While both options have their respective advantages, they are not without disadvantages.
So, the next time you consider whether you would like to play pickleball indoors or outdoors, you may want to ask yourself:
What is the difference between playing pickleball indoors and outdoors, and which option is best for me?
There are several differences between playing pickleball indoors and outdoors. The court size and surface material of the courts differ; the size of the pickleball, noise level differences, vision differences related to glare versus the sun, and differences in weather conditions and temperature-controlled facilities.
The Rules of the Game
The first and most important factor we need to consider is whether any differences are related to the game’s rules. According to the Official Pickleball Rule Book, rules for indoor pickleball and outdoor pickleball remain the same. That is, the rules for play do not change.
However, some pieces of equipment may vary. The only pickleball equipment in the official rule book highlighted to be different for indoor pickleball versus outdoor pickleball is the pickleball size, weight, and design.
All other equipment, such as shoes, paddles, clothing, etc., only have general specifications applicable to indoor and outdoor play. Remember that some players have particular preferences that are echoed among others regarding paddles, shoes, and clothing for indoor and outdoor courts.
Pickleball Courts
Pickleball is undoubtedly rising in popularity all across the United States. And, with that, more and more facilities are being made available to game players. Outdoor pickleball courts can be found in public parks, while indoor courts are typically found in fitness centers, recreation facilities, schools, and churches.
Outdoor pickleball courts, as mentioned, are typically found in public parks. This means that playing on these courts is free of charge. And you can play as often as you like, depending on how busy the park is. It’s usually on a first-come, first-served basis, but courtesy is strongly encouraged.
Indoor pickleball facilities, on the other hand, are, more often than not, found in recreation facilities or fitness centers. Both options are generally run by an organization, and playing on these courts may cost you a small fee. In addition, in areas where there aren’t a lot of outdoor courts available, you may have long waits for an indoor pickleball court, and you may only be permitted one game at a time to allow other players time on the court.
Court Size
There are differences in court sizes between indoor pickleball and outdoor pickleball courts. But this is the exception rather than the norm. The rule book highlights that the total floor space for an outdoor pickleball court is 30 feet wide and 60 feet long. Keep in mind that the actual lines for the pickleball court are drawn within these parameters.
The actual size of an outdoor court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long. This space is the same for singles and doubles.
Indoor pickleball courts differ slightly in size and are smaller in some sports facilities and recreation centers. According to the official Pickleball Rule Book, there should be no difference between indoor and outdoor pickleball court sizes.
However, as mentioned, in some facilities, the singles court size is 18 feet wide by 36 feet long, while the doubles court size for an indoor pickleball court is similar to that of an outdoor court, 20 feet wide by 44 feet long. This means that in these facilities, there is a crucial difference: the game is much faster on an indoor singles court than on an outdoor pickleball court because there is less space to maneuver across.
Court surface
Another great feature of pickleball is that the game can be played on various surfaces, such as grass, clay, asphalt, rubberized flooring, and wood flooring.
Indoor facilities are generally played on a rubberized floor or wooden flooring. The disadvantage of these types of surfaces is that they produce a lot of noise pollution during play, which can cause a lot of distractions and make it difficult for some players to focus. The noise pollution results from tennis or court shoe soles rubbing or grinding against the rubberized flooring or wooden flooring.
This is why some players feel that shoes that are ideal for indoor pickleball may not be as practical on outdoor courts, and shoes that work on asphalt or cement surfaces may not work as well on indoor courts.
Outdoor pickleball courts are traditionally played on cement or asphalt surfaces. Some players may feel that the asphalt surface works better and offers better resistance against the rubber soles of the pickleball tennis or court shoes, as players need to move swiftly and suddenly from one side of the court to the other during play in lateral movements. This is a personal preference.
Some players have mentioned that indoor flooring is softer on the body during jumps and sudden moves, while extended play on asphalt surfaces can be harder on a player’s body over time.
Court markings
Outdoor pickleball courts are usually designated courts with designated markings, making it easy to play on these courts.
Indoor pickleball courts are usually shared with other indoor sports, such as basketball or tennis. These sports have their own designated markings on the court.
Keep in mind that all of these markings may be different colors. However, they still frequently overlap on the court, making it somewhat challenging for the pickleball players to identify their own lines.
This could significantly affect play and result in a few unintentional faults on the court.
General noise pollution
At any given point, several players/teams may play on adjacent courts in outdoor or indoor pickleball. But, there is a crucial difference: noise pollution.
When multiple players are playing on adjacent indoor pickleball courts, you may hear a lot of different sounds at the same time. Other players call out scores at different times. The shoes grind against the court as players move quickly to reach the ball and return it, making loud, screeching noises. These sounds are not as pronounced on an outdoor court as on an indoor one.
The reason is that indoor courts are confined within the facility’s four walls. The noise does not escape, resulting in a lot of noise pollution.
This type of pollution can be very distracting for players. Especially when there are players that try to communicate above the noise. With outdoor courts, you may have some noise pollution, but the sound quickly dissipates, and it’s easy to hear and communicate with other players and remain focused.
Outdoor weather conditions
Outdoor pickleball will always be weather permitting. And that is the most significant difference between these two game options. For example, candidates who live in an area that experiences much colder weather conditions during the winter will likely not be able to play unless they have access to an indoor pickleball facility.
On rainy days, games being played outdoors will need to be canceled. Similarly, if it snows, there is zero chance of playing outdoors. Consider places like Chicago, which is known as a windy city.
On days when the wind is gusty, you probably won’t be able to play. A light wind may not make too much of a difference. In fact, it could challenge you more as a player as your serves and returns need to be more determined to move the ball through the wind to your desired destination on the opposite side of the court. Light to moderate breezes may actually help your game.
However, strong gusts of wind will prevent you from playing.
Furthermore, if you are from a drier area that experiences higher levels of heat during summer or throughout the year, you may find it difficult to play outdoors. Take Arizona, California, or Florida, for example. These states are known for having brutal summers. This means that play is out of the question for most of the summer unless you can find an indoor facility.
Indoor facilities, however, are temperature-controlled and not weather permitting. This means that you can play in cool or warm conditions, whether it rains, snows, hail, or there is a possible heatwave. But, the disadvantage of playing indoors is that there is little to no resistance to the ball. This also makes the game a lot faster.
Wind resistance slows the game down and requires more effort from the player. This results in a better match and better practice. The wind, however, should not be so strong that it blows the ball away from the court.
When players play on outdoor courts with no north-south orientation, they may experience eye strain from having the sun in their eyes. When building outdoor pickleball courts, it is always advised that the courts should have a north-south orientation to avoid this from happening. But, not all courts comply with this rule.
This is not a problem with indoor courts as there is no glare from the sun. However, on indoor courts, some players have complained about the glare from the walls and ceiling, which affects their vision and makes it challenging to play.
Pickleball
Some adaptations make the game possible outdoors when the weather is not entirely on your side. The official Pickleball Handbook highlights the difference between a pickleball used for indoor play and a ball used for outdoor play.
Balls that are used for indoor play have larger holes. There is no wind inside the recreation center or fitness facility. This means that no wind can blow into the ball and sweep it across the court. An indoor pickleball has larger but fewer holes. Furthermore, indoor pickleball balls are generally lighter and made from a softer plastic. Indoor balls are also easier to manage and control than outdoor balls. These balls are great and allow longer rallies. Indoor pickleball balls are designed to be softer because they are played on different types of surfaces, such as rubberized surfaces or wood flooring.
The larger holes in indoor pickleball allow the player to predict the ball’s trajectory during play. However, these balls have less power, which means that the balls bounce off of the paddle with less force. This results in a less aggressive return or serve. But the game feels faster and more controlled because there is no wind interference.
On the other hand, outdoor pickleball balls have several smaller holes in the proliferated ball. These holes allow wind to pass through without affecting play too much.
Outdoor pickleball balls are made from denser and heavier plastics. This helps to make the ball more wind resistant as well.
Outdoor balls are designed for outdoor surfaces and bounce better on these surfaces than on indoor surfaces. These balls have more weight, produce more resistance when being hit, and result in a better, more predictable trajectory of the ball. The ball tends to bounce better on the outdoor court, and the game feels more strategic.
The holes in the pickleball balls give them their flight pattern.
There is a small side note to this and other pickleball equipment, whether for indoor or outdoor pickleball. The equipment used must be approved and listed on the USA Pickleball and IFP websites. If the balls are not listed, they are not appropriate for play.
Should I play pickleball indoors or outdoors?
This is up to personal preference. When weather conditions are a deterring factor in whether you can play or not, then indoor pickleball may be a better option for you. Additionally, if you are looking for a fast-paced game, you may opt to play in an indoor facility. As previously mentioned, when playing indoors, a few factors may make it feel as though the game is faster, and for the most part, it is.
The ball size and weight will affect the game’s speed in indoor pickleball. Some players have mentioned that this makes it seem like the game is faster. And, the smaller single-court sizes in some facilities mean less space needs to be covered in a tournament or competitive play, which may make the game feel faster.
However, if you are looking for a more challenging game, you may want to play outdoors, where you will be required to exert more effort on some game days when there is wind. In addition, the ball is heavier. This may also speed up the outdoor game as the ball travels further and can be hit much harder. There is much less noise pollution. Some players mention that outdoor court surfaces are better to play on, and the best part is that you will get some vitamin D!
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