What are the exact height and tension specifications for a pickleball net?

Under USA Pickleball standards, the net posts are anchored 22 feet apart (1 foot outside each sideline). The net cord is tensioned until the net reaches 36 inches (0.91 m) at both outer posts. A heavy-duty polyester center strap is affixed to a center anchor ring embedded in the concrete slab to pull the net down to precisely 34 inches (0.86 m) in the middle. Proper cable tension is critical: a slack net sags excessively at the middle and billows in crosswinds, while an over-tensioned cable puts immense strain on post sleeves and distorts the 2-inch drop required by international competition rules.