The type of pickleball used for play and the impact it has on playability has a significant effect on the game as well as the universal characteristics of a pickleball more generally.

According to the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) and the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP), all pickleballs used in official play must pass a standardized bounce test to ensure they meet the game’s specifications. As outlined in Rule 2.D.8 of the USAPA Official Rulebook:

“A pickleball must rebound to a height of 30 to 34 inches when dropped from a height of 78 inches onto a hard, smooth surface (such as granite or concrete).”

This regulation of an average bounce height has implications that are important to note, which highly influence how pickleball should be played and approached, affecting strategies, shot selection, and overall gameplay dynamics. Understanding these general implications is important for any coach, as well as appropriately selecting the proper type of ball to match the playing surface to ensure playability, and staying within the bounce regulations across different play environments.

It is important to highlight that the average bounce height is regulated to stay at or below the height of the net. Clearly, the incoming trajectory, speed, and spin of the ball have a high degree of impact on the maximum bounce height of a given shot, but the buoyancy of the ball is designed to generally stay within a relatively low window. This lessens a player’s regular hitting zone to ease the difficulty of play and to ensure the required hitting angle over the net is upwards the majority of the time when the ball has bounced. This upward hitting angle has a significant impact on specific strategies, such as when to play the ball out of the air versus off the bounce, or the speed and margin required on attacks to keep the ball in-bounds.

In order to adhere to the rules and set players up for success, a coach should be able to quickly distinguish between balls designed for indoor or outdoor use and be able to communicate the reasons why one ball would be chosen over the other. The physical distinctions between the two ball types are typically rather obvious due to the composition of the material and the number and the size of the holes in the ball. The objective of using a particular type of ball is to get it to bounce within the legal average bounce window set in the rules and to give maximum playability by taking into account the type of playing surface.

An outdoor ball is typically composed of more plastic-based material and less rubber, while an indoor ball is typically composed of more rubber and less plastic. This is due to the surface the ball will be bounced on, as certain types of surfaces supply a higher bounce than others. For surfaces that supply a lower average bounce height, such as a gym floor, an indoor ball should be used to offset the lower bounce by providing more height through the buoyancy of the ball.

1. Pickleball Designed for Outdoor Use:

Outdoor pickleballs are the most common type since most pickleball play occurs outdoors on hardcourt surfaces. They can be recognized by the following characteristics:

• Material: Typically made of a harder plastic to resist wear and tear from outdoor surfaces. They contain more plastic and less rubber compared to indoor balls, providing a lower bounce height that is appropriate on rougher surfaces like asphalt or concrete. The more rigid plastic material maintains its form more effectively, even in extremely hot climates where the ball is liable to soften and threaten playability. The stiffer the makeup of the material, the faster the ball will play and increase the difficulty level to consistently execute shots.
• Surface and Holes: Outdoor pickleballs have smaller, more numerous holes (usually 40 holes) to help reduce wind interference and maintain consistent flight patterns.
• Durability: Built to be durable to handle variable weather, rough surfaces, and resist cracking despite the more rigid composition. While outdoor balls are built to withstand harsh conditions, they are more likely to crack in cold weather as the plastic material becomes more brittle.
• Weight: Slightly heavier than indoor balls to counteract wind effects.
• Sound: Generally louder when struck due to the harder material.
• Bounce Characteristics: Designed to bounce within the legal average bounce window when playing on a standard hardcourt surface, which supplies an adequate average bounce height.

Usage Recommendations:

• Use outdoor balls on any standard hardcourt tennis court surface.
• Different types of outdoor balls come in varying degrees of rigidity. Use softer outdoor balls when working with lower-level players as they are easier to control, making them ideal for skill development. Softer balls are also advisable to use in cold weather as they are less likely to crack prematurely.
• Outdoor balls are not recommended for smooth surfaces as they tend to slide and perform poorly on such courts.
• Outdoor balls are not recommended when playing on surfaces that provide a naturally low bounce, such as clay, since outdoor balls rarely provide a high enough bounce to reach the minimum bounce height on such surfaces.

2. Pickleball Designed for Indoor Use:

Indoor pickleballs are most commonly used on alternative surfaces that either have a lower average bounce height or are smooth surfaces that tend to make the ball skid more than normal. They can be recognized by the following characteristics:

• Material: Made of a more rubber-based material or softer plastic to provide a higher bounce height, reduce extreme skidding, create less impact noise, and prevent damage to indoor flooring.
• Surface and Holes: Indoor pickleballs have larger, fewer holes (usually 26 holes) to provide more control, increase bounce height, and offset the additional springiness and speed with increased air resistance.
• Durability: Optimized for smoother indoor surfaces, they crack at a much lower rate due to the rubber-based composition, which makes them more pliable.
• Weight: Slightly lighter to accommodate the lack of wind and different surface conditions.
• Sound: Quieter when struck due to the softer material.
• Bounce Characteristics: Designed to bounce within the legal average bounce window, optimized for indoor surfaces like gym floors that supply a lower average bounce height.

Usage Recommendations:

• Use indoor balls on smooth concrete, gymnasium floors, badminton court surfaces, and clay courts.
• It is important to note that an “indoor” ball can be a bit of a misnomer. If a court, even indoors, has a hardcourt tennis-like surface, an outdoor ball should still be used. The most indicative factor is the bounce characteristics of the playing surface, and the ball should be adjusted accordingly.
• Using for Low-Level or Poor Mobility Players: There are situations where using an indoor ball in an outdoor environment might be advisable, such as when working with very low-level players or those with poor mobility. The higher bounce of an indoor ball may provide the additional height needed for easier play, but this should be left to a coach’s discretion and used as a last resort.