You can’t improve your pickleball performance if you practice with improper equipment. One of the questions you need to ask is, what ball is used in pickleball? Unlike tennis players, most pickleball professionals use plastic balls with holes.
However, you can use multiple types of balls in this sport. Let’s examine each one.
What Balls Can You Use in Pickleball?
Some believe pickleball players use the same or similar balls as tennis professionals, but that’s not the case. Unlike felt-covered tennis balls, pickleballs are made of plastic and have perforated holes.
They travel through the air much more smoothly than tennis balls because they’re lighter and have less drag due to the holes.
Wiffle Balls and pickleballs are sometimes used interchangeably, but this was prevalent before the invention of specific pickleballs. In fact, pickleball was originally played with Wiffle Balls. You can still play the sport with these balls, but there are differences.
Primarily, pickleballs are rarely white and are slightly larger than Wiffle Balls. Wiffle Balls have holes on one side, whereas the other is sealed. The design lets pitchers throw curveballs with incredible amounts of movement.
As previously mentioned, pickleballs have uniform holes that enable them to fly more consistently.
The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) has several official ball rules:
- Balls must have uniform colors and 26-40 evenly spaced holes.
- Balls must be manufactured of smooth molded materials.
- The diameter of the balls must be 2.87-2.97 inches, and the weight must be 0.78-0.935 ounces.
- The balls must bounce between 30 and 34 inches when dropped from 78 inches.
- The hardness of the balls must be around 40-50 according to a Durometer D scale.
These are the most critical factors to the USAPA in determining what ball is used in pickleball but meeting them isn’t enough. Balls must also be listed by the USAPA on their approved balls and have particular branding printed on the surface.
Regarding bounce requirements, pickleballs are typically tested on specific surfaces, such as granite. The area is typically 12x12x4 inches, and the temperature is approximately 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Official USAPA tournaments select approved balls and use them for all matches.
What Are the Different Types of Pickleballs?
There are three main types of pickleballs.
Indoor Pickleballs
Indoor pickleballs are soft and have large holes. They’re easier to control, but you may struggle to slam them due to greater drag. In addition, indoor balls have more texture, allowing you to incorporate more spin and extend your rallies.
Worn indoor balls generally have soft spots. But unlike outdoor balls, they rarely go out of shape or crack.
They’re slightly lighter and smaller, meaning wind affects them significantly. Fortunately, this shouldn’t be an issue since you’ll probably use indoor pickleball on indoor courts.
Finally, indoor pickleballs produce minimal noise upon contact with your paddle and hurt less than outdoor models.
Outdoor Pickleballs
Outdoor pickleballs are harder and heavier than indoor balls. They have about 40 holes and are manufactured from smooth plastic. Their construction and weight reduce the effects of wind and other elements.
Another standout feature of outdoor pickleballs is that they travel faster than lighter ones. This allows you to hit them harder, as you don’t have to worry about drag. The biggest problem with their design is that they’re harder to control, so you’ll need to put in a lot of finesse to place them accurately and extend your rallies.
Outdoor pickleballs are more resilient to elements but often become misshapen and crack. Their durability varies, with some products lasting for just a few rounds and others serving you well for numerous matches. Their longevity depends on your style, temperature, playing surface, and many other factors.
To check if your outdoor ball has become misshapen, hit a spin shot into the air and observe how it moves. You may need to replace your ball if the trajectory is highly uneven.
Lastly, due to the larger, heavier construction of outdoor balls, try to avoid getting hit by them. They hurt much more than indoor units.
Hybrid Pickleballs
The choice between indoor and outdoor balls depends on where you’re playing. You’re better off with an indoor ball if your court is indoors. Conversely, you can perform better on outdoor courts with an outdoor ball.
You shouldn’t use outdoor pickleballs indoors since they tend to skip off the surface and rarely bounce as high as indoor models. That said, some people play with indoor balls outside due to their forgiving design and higher potential for more extended volleys.
But hybrid models are your best option if you’re looking for a pickleball you can use indoors and outdoors. They give you the best of both worlds – more resistant than indoor pickleballs to cracks and less affected by winds than outdoor balls. This makes them perfect for beginners because they let you master the basics of the game without worrying about whether or not you have appropriate balls for a specific surface.
What Color Can Your Pickleballs Be?
The USAPA doesn’t specify any color for official pickleballs. The only rule is that the coloring must be uniform (except for any logos printed on the ball).
The most popular color is orange. It adapts well to various lighting conditions, allowing you to see the ball throughout the point. White and yellow are also great options. Some people prefer darker balls for indoor play because they’re easier to follow in gyms.
What Ball Is Used in Pickleball at Certain Skill Levels?
Selecting a pickleball depends on numerous factors, such as play style and environment. For instance, you should choose an indoor ball if you need to control your serve and have more time to prepare for the opponent’s serve.
Outdoor balls are a better option if you want more challenging matches. However, avoid playing with outdoor balls on wooden indoor courts because they may slip and hinder your performance.
You can also base your choice on your experience:
- Beginners – Pickleball newbies are better off playing with hybrid balls. They eliminate the need to account for various factors, such as weather.
- Enthusiasts – If you like pickleball but don’t play it frequently, you should stick to hybrid balls. They enable you to focus on critical parts of your game without worrying about external factors.
- Experienced player – If you’re a long-time pickleball player familiar with your strengths and weaknesses, outdoor balls might be your best option. They let you hit more complex shots in more challenging environments, allowing you to take your skills to the next level. These faster balls let you make the most of your reflexes and power when making soft placement shots and other challenging moves.
- Advanced player – If you’re a pickleball competitor, you need pickleballs that let you add spin and power. Again, outdoor balls are the right option. They enable you to be more creative with your shots, which is often necessary when you must prevail over fierce competition.
How Much Do Pickleball Balls Cost?
The price of pickleballs varies by manufacturer. High-end producers charge top dollar for their products, with some balls going for more than $150. These balls are worth it for professionals looking for specific dimensions and materials replicating tournament conditions.
You might not need expensive pickleballs if you’re a beginner or recreational pickleball player. An average six-pack of pickleballs at around $15 should do the trick in most cases. They have a relatively long lifespan and let you grasp the basics of the sport without denting your budget.
Find the Right Model for Your Needs
Understanding what ball is used in pickleball is essential for players of all levels. If you’re preparing for a competition, you need to know what balls you should use in practice to better prepare for your tournament.
If you’re a novice, knowing helps you determine what play style you want to choose, depending on whether you prefer indoor or outdoor conditions.
I hail from the picturesque landscapes of Denver, Colorado, where the pickleball scene is as vibrant as our city's sunsets. The game has changed my life in ways I never thought a sport could. You see, before I got hooked, my closest encounter with a racket was a fly swatter.
As far as my coaching credentials go, well, it's a classic underdog story. I was once the guy who couldn't tell a pickleball paddle from a pizza peel, and now I'm proudly sporting the title of Master Teaching Professional from the IPTPA. If that doesn't give hope to all my fellow klutzes, I don't know what will!
My love for pickleball goes far beyond the court. I run the In2Pickle YouTube channel, which is a blend of pickleball tactics, bloopers (mostly mine), and heartfelt stories from players whose lives have been touched by the sport. If you're more into listening than watching, you can catch me chatting about everything pickleball-related on my Pickleball Therapy podcast. And if that isn't enough, I've also penned a book titled "Play Pickleball", where I share everything from basic rules to advanced strategies, and of course, anecdotes of my own hilarious mishaps.
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