Pickleball Terms - The Kitchen

What is the Kitchen?

In pickleball, "the kitchen" refers to the non-volley zone (NVZ), which is the area on both sides of the net that extends 7 feet from the net. Players are not allowed to volley the ball (hit it before it bounces) while standing in the kitchen or on the kitchen line.

The term "kitchen" likely comes from a similar concept in badminton, where a "kitchen" area is sometimes used to refer to a zone where players are not allowed to hit certain shots. In pickleball, it's a critical area that influences strategy and shot selection.

• No Volleying in the Kitchen: Players cannot hit a volley while any part of their body or paddle is touching the kitchen line or inside the kitchen.
• Momentum Rule: If a player volleys the ball and their momentum carries them into the kitchen, it is a fault. This applies even if the player touches the kitchen line or ground after hitting the ball.
• Serving: The serve must clear the kitchen and land in the service box.

Understanding and utilizing the kitchen is fundamental to playing pickleball effectively.

• Dinking: The kitchen is often where "dinking" shots are played. A dink is a soft shot that lands just over the net and into the opponent's kitchen, making it difficult for them to hit an aggressive shot.
• Volleying from the Baseline: Players typically try to get to the non-volley zone line as quickly as possible to take advantage of volleying opportunities, but they must be outside the kitchen to do so.
• Forcing Errors: By dinking into the kitchen, players aim to force opponents to hit the ball up, allowing for an attacking shot.

The kitchen is a unique and essential aspect of pickleball that adds a strategic layer to the game. Mastering the rules and strategies related to the non-volley zone is crucial for success on the court.