Pickleball has a set of slightly changed rules for players competing in wheelchairs. These adaptive pickleball rules increase the size of the court, add the ability for the ball to bounce twice on either side of the court before being returned, and slightly adapt the non-volley zone.
What is adaptive pickleball?
Adaptive pickleball refers to a version of pickleball that has been modified to accommodate players with disabilities, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, can enjoy the game.
This can include players with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or sensory impairments.
Can you play pickleball if you’re in a wheelchair?
Yes, players in wheelchairs can definitely play pickleball, and there are specific rules and adaptations in place to ensure they can enjoy the game fully and competitively.
Wheelchair pickleball is a form of adaptive pickleball that allows individuals with physical disabilities to participate in the sport.
Pickleball Wheelchair Rules
Pickleball is a sport for everybody, regardless of age, gender, or physical limitations. One of the fantastic ways pickleball opens itself up to be accessible to all is by having a discrete set of rules for wheelchair players compared to standing players.
Pickleball isn’t the only sport to offer adaptive rules for tournaments and casual play by players in a wheelchair. Basketball is possibly the most popular wheelchair sport, but wheelchair tennis, rugby, and badminton also have large player bases.
The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) has a set of rules specifically for adaptive/wheelchair pickleball. This full rulebook can be found here.
What’s the Difference Between Wheelchair Pickleball Rules and Standing Pickleball Rules?
| Aspect | Wheelchair Pickleball Rules | Standing Pickleball Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Court Size | Recommended: 44 x 74 feet for regular play, 50 x 80 feet for stadium courts. | 20 x 44 feet for both singles and doubles. |
| Net Height | 36 inches at the sidelines, 34 inches in the middle. | 36 inches at the sidelines, 34 inches in the middle. |
| Service | Serve with both rear wheels behind the baseline. Ball can bounce twice before returning. | Serve underhand, ball must bounce once before return. |
| Two-Bounce Rule | Allowed two bounces before returning the ball; the second bounce can be anywhere. | Ball must bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed. |
| Movement | Wheelchair is part of the player. Use wheelchairs for movement. | Move on foot. |
| Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen) | Front wheels may touch the non-volley zone during a volley. Rear wheels touching the zone restricts volleying until they touch outside the zone again. | Cannot step into the non-volley zone before hitting a volley. |
| Faults | It’s a fault if the ball bounces three times before being returned or if the wheelchair rules for the non-volley zone are not followed. | Standard faults apply, such as ball hitting out of bounds or not clearing the net. |
| Playing Categories | Can play in singles, doubles (with standup or wheelchair partners), and special categories for wheelchair users. | Played in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles without specific modifications for mobility. |
| Equipment | Wheelchair considered part of the player’s body. Must use sports-adapted wheelchairs. | Standard equipment with personal preference for paddle weight, grip size, and material. |
Court Size
The standard pickleball court size for both standing and wheelchair players is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long. However, the recommended playing surface for wheelchair pickleball is actually 74 feet by 44 feet for better mobility and safety. This adjustment provides players with more space to maneuver their wheelchairs, especially in doubles play.
The recommended pickleball court size for adaptive play in a stadium court is slightly bigger: 80 feet by 50 feet.
Double Bounce Rule
In standard pickleball, the ball must bounce once on each side before it can be volleyed (two bounce rule). For wheelchair pickleball, the rule is adapted to allow the ball to bounce up to two times before being returned.
This adaptation acknowledges the extra time it might take for a player in a wheelchair to reach the ball.
Non-Volley Zone
In standard pickleball, players are prohibited from making contact with the NVZ (non-volley zone) while executing a volley shot.
For wheelchair players, the specific adaptation allows the front wheels of the wheelchair to touch the NVZ during a volley shot, addressing the unique dynamics of wheelchair movement. However, the rule requiring both rear wheels to exit the NVZ before a player can volley a return ensures fairness and maintains the spirit of the non-volley rule.
Serving
In wheelchair pickleball, players serve underhand, ensuring the paddle hits the ball below waist level. When serving, both rear wheels of the player’s wheelchair must be behind the baseline, without touching it or going beyond the court’s side boundaries.
Unlike traditional pickleball, where the ball can only bounce once, in wheelchair pickleball, the “two-bounce rule” applies, allowing the ball to bounce twice on the receiver’s side, with the second bounce permitted anywhere on the court.
The serve must be diagonal, targeting the opposite service box, without the need for a second serve attempt if the first serve fails, except in the case of a let (the ball touches the net but lands in the service box).
Faults
Faults in wheelchair pickleball occur in situations similar to those in standard pickleball, but with adjustments for the players’ use of wheelchairs. Here are the key fault rules for wheelchair pickleball:
- Three-Bounce Rule Violation: Unlike in standing pickleball where the two-bounce rule applies, a unique aspect of wheelchair pickleball is that the ball can bounce twice before being returned. However, it’s a fault if the ball bounces three times before being returned by the receiving side.
- Non-Volley Zone Violations: Players in wheelchairs are allowed to have their front wheels in the non-volley zone (NVZ) during a volley, but it’s a fault if the rear wheels are in the NVZ at the time of a volley shot. To legally volley again after touching the NVZ, both rear wheels must touch the area outside the NVZ first.
- Service Faults: Service faults occur if the server’s rear wheels are on or inside the baseline or outside the court’s boundaries at the time of service. Additionally, a service fault is called if the ball does not land in the opposite diagonal service box or if the server serves before the receiver is ready (unless the receiver attempts to return the serve).
- Ball Out of Bounds: A fault is called when the ball is hit out of bounds, which means it lands outside the court’s perimeter lines.
- Net Faults: If the ball is served into the net and does not land in the correct service area, it’s a fault. During general play, if the ball hits the net and falls back into the hitter’s court, it’s also a fault.
- Wheelchair Movement Violations: Unlike in standing pickleball where foot faults can occur (stepping on the baseline before hitting a serve, for example), in wheelchair pickleball, similar faults occur for improper wheelchair placement or movement at the time of service or during play.
——–
It’s important to note that “adaptive pickleball” can encompass a broader range of modifications beyond wheelchair adaptations, including those for players with intellectual disabilities or other physical disabilities not requiring a wheelchair.
Adaptive pickleball underscores the sport’s commitment to inclusivity, allowing players of all abilities to participate in and enjoy the game. It promotes physical activity, social interaction, and competitive play in a welcoming environment.
