Can One Net System Really Support Tennis, Volleyball, and Pickleball?
It’s a conversation we often have with architects, builders, and facility planners:
“Can we install one set of posts and play tennis, volleyball, and pickleball on the same system?”
According to John Connors, SNA’s Technical Sales Specialist, the answer is yes. But doing so requires significant compromises and those compromises often affect how the games are actually played.
Let’s look at why.
Why These Sports Don’t Naturally Share One System
Each sport uses very different post spacing and net height requirements, which makes sharing one system challenging.
Post Distance
- Tennis: 42 feet
- Volleyball: 37 feet
- Pickleball: 22 feet
Net Height
- Tennis: 42” at the posts, 36” at center
- Volleyball (women’s): 7’ 4 ⅞” at the sideline, 7’ 4 ⅛” at center
- Pickleball: 36” at the posts, 34” at center
The “One System” Compromise
If a facility insists on using only one pair of posts, the best compromise is typically setting the post distance at 37 feet — the standard volleyball spacing.
This approach has a few consequences, however:
- Tennis: Can still be played, but the narrower distance means the court will effectively support singles play only.
- Volleyball: Works perfectly since the spacing is correct.
- Pickleball: Requires extensions to span the extra distance, which often results in a loose net with a noticeable sag, commonly referred to in the industry as a “smile.”
The Better Solution: Dedicated Sleeves for Each Sport
When possible, we recommend a slightly different approach that allows each sport to be played properly.
This involves installing:
- A volleyball system with floor sleeves
- Two additional sets of sleeves
- Convertible tennis/pickleball posts
- A dedicated tennis net
- A dedicated pickleball net
All sleeve cover plates remain aligned along the center line, maintaining a clean court surface when posts are removed.
This setup allows:
- Tennis to be played at the correct 42’ spacing
- Volleyball to be played at the proper 37’ spacing
- Pickleball to be played at the proper 22’ spacing
Yes, it requires two pairs of posts instead of one, but the payoff is a facility where each sport can actually be played the way it’s meant to be played.
A Small Investment for Much Better Play
In our experience, customers who choose the dedicated sleeve approach are far happier with the result. The added flexibility and proper gameplay far outweigh the small additional investment in equipment.
If your project is still in the planning stage, it’s the perfect time to think through how your courts will actually be used.
At SNA Sports Group, we work with architects, contractors and facility managers every day to help design systems that perform well long after construction is finished.
Planning a multi-sport court?
Our team can help you determine the best net system layout for your facility. Learn more about our tennis, volleyball, and pickleball systems at snasportsgroup.com.