Pickleball Kitchen Rules – What you Should Know

Pickleball is a dynamic sport that blends different elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong. As one of the fastest growing sports, pickleball has captivated people in the United States and all over the world. Central to the game of pickleball is the “kitchen”, or the non-volley zone (NVZ), a distinctive area that impacts and shapes strategies to assure fair play of the game. Understanding the kitchen’s rules is pivotal for amateurs and professionals as they aim to play at a high level.

What Is the Kitchen in Pickleball?

In Pickleball the kitchen is a 7-foot deep designated area that extends from the net on both sides of the court, spanning the width of the sidelines. This results in a 7-20 foot rectangular on each side of the net. Officially called the non-volley zone (NVZ), this area prevents players from hitting volleys out of the air while standing within it. The essential purpose of the kitchen is to promote longer rallies and strategic play by preventing players from dominating the net with smashes.

As the kitchen’s official name is non-volley zone (NVZ), players are not allowed to volley the ball while any part of their body is touching the kitchen or its boundary lines. This rule includes a situation where a player’s momentum can carry them into the kitchen after a volley, which would constitute a fault. As mentioned earlier, this rule prevents players from gaining an unfair advantage of positioning themselves right at the net.

Entering the Kitchen

Although you cannot strike the ball while you are in the kitchen, players can enter at any time. It’s legal to step into the kitchen to hit balls that have bounced, but you should quickly exit the kitchen to be ready for returning plays from the opponent. 

Momentum and the Kitchen

The momentum rule in pickleball addresses the situation where a player’s movement carries them into the kitchen after a volley. Even if you execute a volley outside the kitchen, if the momentum forces them to step into the kitchen directly after, it is considered a fault. Because of this rule and the other kitchen rules, certain shots like dinking and the erne have been developed for strategic play.

Understanding Dinking

Dinking is a strategic shot in pickleball that involves hitting the ball softly so it lands in the opponent’s kitchen. Many use dinking as a technique to draw opponents forward, creating space and movement that enable opportunities for offensive plays. To execute dinking effectively it requires precision and control, making it a crucial skill in a player’s game.

The Erne Shot and the Kitchen

The Erne is a technically advanced shot where a player positions themself at the sideline near the net to volley the ball. To execute this shot, a player must leap into the air and strike the ball – and when you land you must be stepping outside the court boundaries to prevent a fault. This action allows aggressive net play without violating the rules of the kitchen. Lastly, the player must not touch the net or the post during the shot.

Origin of the Term “Kitchen”

The exact origin of the term “kitchen” isn’t specifically known, but the theory is the name was adopted from the game Shuffleboard. In Shuffleboard, the kitchen is an area where specific rules apply and because the non-volley zone is also a restricted zone, the name may have been adopted from that. Understanding the rules of the kitchen in pickleball promotes fairness and enhances the flow of the game. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, mastering the rules will elevate your strategy and performance on the pickleball court.