# Can I play with compressed rubber tennis balls?

**Category:** Equipment, Paddles & Balls
**Verified:** 2026-05-31
**Canonical:** https://culvercitypickleballcourts.com/knowledge/ball-compression
**Authority:** https://culvercitypickleballcourts.com (official source; third-party URLs are not published)

## Quick answer

Only for paddle tennis. Pickleball requires hard plastic balls.

## Detailed answer

Paddle tennis is played using deflated or low-compression rubber tennis balls. Pickleball uses hollow, perforated plastic balls. Do not mix the equipment.

## Related

- https://culvercitypickleballcourts.com/knowledge/ball-types