Products and Clothing Used in Official Pickleball Tournaments:

The Importance of the Surface Structure, Dimensions and Weight of the Racquets Used in Official Pickleball Tournaments in Providing a Fair Competition Environment:

Pickleball is an entertaining sport that provides equal opportunity in competition, where players of all ages and skill levels can participate. In order for pickleball to be played in a fair and balanced competitive environment, the equipment used must comply with certain standards. Especially the surface structure, dimensions and weight of pickleball rackets are important factors that directly affect the game performance.

In pickleball sport, rackets are produced with a wide variety of brands, but not all rackets and balls have been approved by official tournaments.

As in every sports branch, Pickleball has standards for the materials used in official matches and tournaments. In accordance with the philosophy of fairness and gentlemanliness of Pickleball, the use of products in accordance with the standards provides a fair competition environment.

How Should the Materials Used in Pickleball Official Matches and Tournaments Be?

What is the Surface Structure of Pickleball Racquets?

The surface structure of pickleball racquets has a big impact on the spin and control applied to the ball. The texture and material of the racquet surface can create differences in the players’ strokes. Therefore, in order to ensure fair competition, it is necessary to maintain certain standards in the racquet surface structure:

Texture: The racquet surface should be smooth and hard and should not be designed to apply excessive spin to the ball. Excessive spin can give some players an unfair advantage.
Material: The racquet surface should not be made of materials that affect the speed and control of the ball. Pickleball rackets should be made of carbon fiber and fiber glass materials.

Racket Dimensions

Racket size has a direct impact on a player’s hitting power and control. For this reason, rackets to be used in official tournaments must comply with certain size standards:

How Should Pickleball Rackets Measure Length and Width?
Pickleball Racket Size:

39-42 cm in length

Pickleball Racket Hitting Area:

18-20.5 cm wide.

Pickleball Racket Handle Length:

13-15 cm long.

Pickleball Racket Weight:

It should weigh 180 – 250 gr.

Pickleball Racket Sizes Standards:
Pickleball racket total length 39-42 cm
Pickleball racket thickness 10mm-16mm
Pickleball racket head (hitting forehead) 18-20.5 cm
Pickleball racket handle length 13-15 cm
Pickleball is a sport where rackets are not too long or wide.

Surface Area: The racquet surface can affect players’ performance by increasing the ball striking area. The standard surface area is set to ensure fair competition.

Racket Weight:

Racket weight has a significant impact on a player’s speed, maneuverability and hitting power. The choice of weight may vary according to the player’s physical abilities and playing style, but racquets used in official tournaments must conform to certain standards of weight range to ensure a fair match:

Ensuring Fair Competition:

Standards for the surface structure, dimensions and weight of rackets used in pickleball tournaments are essential to ensure fair competition. These standards ensure that every player can compete on equal terms and showcase their skills to the best of their abilities. The production and use of rackets in accordance with certain rules improves the quality of the game and preserves the enjoyable and competitive spirit of the sport.

Things to Consider in Pickleball Equipment:

Quality: Quality is an important factor in both racket and ball selection. Long-lasting and performance-oriented products should be preferred.
Approved Equipment: The rackets and balls to be used in official matches must be approved by the USAPA, the world pickleball tournament authority, and the International Pickleball Federation (IPF).
Personal Preferences: Players’ playing style, experience level and physical characteristics should be taken into consideration when selecting equipment to ensure that the game is fair.

The thickness of the racket head should be minimum 12mm and maximum 16mm.
Racket surfaces must not be of such a nature as to give the player an unfair advantage.
Ball specifications: Although all pickleball balls are similar in structure, the balls to be used in national and international tournaments must meet the standards set by USAPA and IPFTT.

Pickleball balls should have a smooth surface.
Balls should have suitable specifications for infield and outfield games (infield balls with 26 holes and outfield balls with 40 holes).
Balls must be in a single color combination but may bear the name or logo of the manufacturer so as not to interfere with the appearance of the ball.
Pickleball balls must be between 7cm and 7.5cm in diameter.
The weight of the balls may vary between 22.7gr or 25.5gr.
Depending on the conditions of the tournament field, the balls can be used in both fields, regardless of whether it is an infield or outfield.

How to choose clothes and shoes:

Apart from this, players will use clothes:

Clothes to choose and their features: Choosing the right clothes in pickleball can give players more advantages. According to the criteria set by USAPA and IPFTT, players who use clothes that disrupt the flow of the game are authorized to intervene.
It is not allowed to wear top and bottom clothing in the same color as the balls.
T-shirts, shorts, skirts, tracksuits or long-sleeved clothes that the player is comfortable in may be used.
It should be preferred that the clothes to be used are comfortable so as not to adversely affect the game performance.
Clothing may have brand or club names or logos printed on them.
Clothing must not contain any political or ideological message in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Turkey. Sport should be a neutral space for all participants and political messages can undermine the unifying and universal nature of sport.
Shoe specifications: Shoes should be suitable for sports, with soles that do not mark or damage the field surface.
Players should choose shoes that are comfortable for their feet.
Players should be aware of injuries caused by shoes and should choose shoes accordingly.
Shoes may have brand or club names or logos printed on them.
You can access the list of officially approved rackets that can be used in national and international tournaments from the link below.

 

Racket Sizes Available for Official Pickleball Tournaments