If you’ve played or watched pickleball, you’ve probably heard players talking about "the kitchen." While it may sound like a casual term, the kitchen is actually one of the most important areas on a pickleball court. Understanding the rules and strategies surrounding this space can make a huge difference in your game, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player.
This guide breaks down what the kitchen is, the rules that apply to it, and how to use it to your advantage.
What Is the Kitchen in Pickleball?
The kitchen, officially known as the non-volley zone (NVZ), is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net. It extends from the net to a marked line parallel to it, spanning the width of the court.
The main purpose of the kitchen is to prevent players from standing too close to the net and smashing volleys. This rule helps keep the game fair and strategic rather than just favoring aggressive net play.
Kitchen Rules: What You Can and Can’t Do
The kitchen has a few key rules that every pickleball player needs to follow:
1. No Volleys in the Kitchen
- You cannot hit a volley (a shot taken out of the air before it bounces) while standing inside the kitchen.
- If your foot touches any part of the kitchen while volleying, it’s a fault.
2. Momentum Matters
- Even if you hit a volley from outside the kitchen, your momentum cannot carry you into the kitchen afterward.
- If this happens, it's considered a fault, and the opposing team gets the point or the serve.
3. You Can Enter the Kitchen—But Only Under Certain Conditions
- You can step into the kitchen to hit a ball, but only if the ball has bounced first.
- After hitting the shot, you should quickly move back to avoid getting caught in a bad position.
4. The Kitchen Line Is Part of the Kitchen
- If any part of your foot is touching the kitchen line while volleying, it counts as being in the kitchen and results in a fault.
These rules encourage strategic play and balance offense with defense, rather than allowing players to dominate with aggressive net smashes.
Strategy: How to Use the Kitchen to Your Advantage
While the kitchen has strict rules, smart players use it to control the pace of the game. Here are some strategies to help you make the most of this part of the court:
1. Master the Dink Game
- The kitchen is where dinking becomes crucial. A dink is a soft, controlled shot that lands in the opponent’s kitchen, making it difficult for them to attack.
- The goal is to force errors or set up a winning shot by keeping the ball low and difficult to return.
2. Stay Near the Kitchen Line (But Not Inside It)
- The ideal position in pickleball is just behind the kitchen line. This allows you to react quickly to dinks while being ready for volleys.
- If you stand too far back, your opponent can take advantage with drop shots.
3. Force Opponents Into Mistakes
- By consistently hitting soft shots into their kitchen, you can force opponents to step in and play from an awkward position.
- Many players instinctively volley near the net—if you bait them into doing this while standing in the kitchen, they’ll commit a fault.
4. Be Quick on Your Feet
- Since you can’t stay in the kitchen for long after a shot, practice stepping in and out efficiently.
- Try to return to a balanced, ready position just behind the kitchen line after playing a shot inside the NVZ.
Common Kitchen Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players sometimes slip up when it comes to the kitchen rules. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:
- Forgetting about momentum – Many players legally volley from outside the kitchen but accidentally step in afterward, resulting in a fault.
- Camping inside the kitchen – It’s tempting to stay close for dinks, but lingering in the kitchen puts you in a vulnerable position.
- Stepping on the line – The kitchen line is considered part of the non-volley zone, so even touching it during a volley is a fault.
- Ignoring foot positioning – Players sometimes focus too much on their paddle work and forget to check where their feet are, leading to unnecessary faults.
Final Thoughts
The kitchen is one of the most important tactical areas in pickleball. By understanding the rules and mastering dinking, positioning, and movement, you can turn it into an advantage rather than a limitation.
Next time you hit the courts, focus on controlling play at the kitchen line and using smart shot placement to keep your opponents off balance. With practice, you’ll find that good kitchen play can be the key to winning more games!
