Pickleball and badminton: what the federations coming closer together changes for clubs

This article, “Pickleball and badminton: what the federations coming closer together changes for clubs,” gathers the useful points in the order you will need them. The aim is to understand the federal context of pickleball in France and its effect on access to gyms and play. The sections, in order: what we observe, what explains it, and the criteria that decide. Audience: pickleball players in France, whether beginners or club members, who want to choose and organize their bag and travel with their gear.

What we observe

A basic point: only the serving player or team can score a point, and points go up one at a time.

A starting point: the rule of 10 to 15% of body weight for a school bag is often cited, but one doctor interviewed believes there is not enough evidence to make it a valid recommendation for everyone.

In numbers: the pickleball court measures 6.10 m wide by 13.41 m long, according to the Fédération française de tennis.

In numbers: the pickleball net is 6.70 m wide, with a height of 86 cm at the center and 91 cm at the posts.

What explains it

The applicable framework: shoes must not mark the court surface, and the patterns or graphics on clothing must remain in “good taste,” according to the USA Pickleball rules; the tournament director can enforce these rules.

The basis of the reasoning: the USA Pickleball rules allow two types of serve: the volley serve, and the “drop serve,” where the ball is hit after it has bounced. The drop serve places no limit on the number or location of bounces.

The applicable framework: the following are allowed on a paddle, according to USA Pickleball: edge protection tape, weighted tape, grip modifications, and face replacement.

The criteria that decide

A short list, to weigh against your own case rather than an ideal.

• The serve is made underhand, diagonally toward the opponents' service court, from behind the baseline.
• A ball in play that touches a line of the court is good. A ball that lands entirely outside the court is a fault.
• On the serve, at least one foot must remain on the ground behind the baseline, and no foot may touch the court on the baseline or inside it.
• The court has the same dimensions, 6.10 m by 13.41 m, in singles and in doubles, according to USA Pickleball.
• The USA Pickleball rules require a ball made of a durable material, molded with a smooth surface without texture and of a single uniform color, apart from identification markings.

Traps to avoid

Situations to watch for:

• Signs of a bag that is too heavy, as listed by the American Academy of Pediatrics: leaning forward to compensate, walking with difficulty, and straps digging into the shoulders.
• The non-volley zone fault also applies to momentum: if the volleyer's momentum makes them touch the zone, or touch their partner who is touching it, it is a fault, even if the ball is already dead.
• Faults include touching the net, the posts, or the opponents' court with the player, the clothing, or the paddle while the ball is in play, or stopping a ball in play before it is dead.
• A serve that touches the net and then lands in the opponents' non-volley zone or outside the service court is a fault.

Key takeaways

The bare essentials, if everything else slips your mind:

• The USA Pickleball rules allow two types of serve.
• Only the serving player or team can score a point.
• The following are allowed on a paddle, according to USA Pickleball.
• The non-volley zone fault also applies to momentum.

The last word

This article has gone over what we observe, what explains it, the criteria that decide, and the traps to avoid. Come back to the points above in the order that fits your situation.

Related articles

• Pickleball gear: what the FFT says and what to pack in your bag — FFT rules and the basic gear to carry. On this page: the guiding ideas, the full article library, and your best starting point.
• Pickleball: the vocabulary of the game for beginners (serve, non-volley zone) — Understand the basic pickleball terms to follow a first game and read the rules. In this article: how it works and the first steps.
• What the federation says about the paddle, ball, and court in pickleball — Find out in the federation rules what you need to bring to play. In this article: how it works in practice and the step-by-step walkthrough.
• Organizing your bag pockets: a checklist before you go play — Get your bag ready in a few minutes with a simple checklist to tick before every session. Reference publications: USA Pickleball.

References

• Les règles du pickleball — Rules of the game, court and net dimensions, general description of the paddle and ball. Accessed 2026-10-13.
• Des cartables lourds peuvent fatiguer les enfants : comment alléger la charge — Signs of a bag that is too heavy and features of a well-designed bag (straps, belt). Accessed 2026-10-15.
• 2025 USA Pickleball Rules – Section 2: Court and Equipment — Official rules of the American federation: paddle dimensions, ball, lines, net. Accessed 2026-10-13.
• 2025 USA Pickleball Rules – Section 4: The Serve, Service Sequence, and Scoring — Official rules: serve, service sequence, score calling. Accessed 2026-10-13.
• 2025 USA Pickleball Rules – Section 6: Line Call Rules — Official rules: ball in or out, responsibility for calls. Accessed 2026-10-13.
• 2025 USA Pickleball Rules – Section 9: Non-Volley Zone Rules — Official rules: non-volley zone. Accessed 2026-10-13.
• 2025 USA Pickleball Rules – Section 7: Fault Rules — Official rules: list of faults. Accessed 2026-10-13.

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