Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing recreational sports in the world. Its fast-paced gameplay and social appeal attract players of all ages. One of the most unique and sometimes misunderstood aspects of the game is the “kitchen rule.” This rule is unique to pickleball, and when I started I didn’t even know of the rule, but people kept saying things about it. So whether you’re new to pickleball or looking to refine your strategy, understanding this rule is essential to improving your game.
What Is the Kitchen in Pickleball?
The “kitchen” is a term you will hear a lot when playing pickleball, and if you are like me, this term has porbably made you very confused. So the “kitchen” is a common term for the non-volley zone (NVZ) on a pickleball court. If you are new to pickleball, the non-volley zone is an area that extends seven feet from the net on both sides and runs the entire width of the court (below is an image of the kitchen). The kitchen rule is designed to prevent players from dominating the game by just smashing volleys from the net.
The Kitchen Rule Explained
The primary rule governing the kitchen is no volleying while standing in the kitchen or touching the kitchen line. If you are new to pickleball, a volley occurs when a player hits the ball before it bounces. If any part of your body or equipment touches the kitchen while volleying, it is considered a fault, and the opposing team wins the point. As you can imagine, since I didn’t know this rule in the beginning I got very frustrated not knowing why I was losing points.
However, something to remember is that you can step into the kitchen to hit a ball after it has bounced. Once the ball bounces inside the kitchen, players may enter the zone and return the shot back to the opposition.
Why the Kitchen Rule Matters
The kitchen rule prevents players from executing overly aggressive net play. The reason for this is to ensure fair and strategic rallies are the core of the game. Without this rule, skilled players could stand at the net and smash every shot, making the game far less enjoyable for opponents. Without this rule pickleball becomes a game solely based on who can smash the ball the earliest and not a game of strategy.
Common Kitchen Rule Violations
Now that you know the rule and how to follow the rule, you need to know what happens when you break the rule. Even experienced players occasionally violate the kitchen rule because games can get very intense, and it is so easy to forget the rule. Here are the most common mistakes:
- Foot Faults—This is when a player steps on or over the kitchen line while volleying the ball.
- Momentum Faults—This occurs after hitting a volley outside the kitchen; momentum carries the player into the kitchen. As you can see you can only enter the kitchen once the ball bounces in the kitchen.
- Reaching Over the Line – This occurs when a player’s paddle is allowed to cross the non-volley zone, but their feet cannot touch the line or the kitchen while volleying.
Strategies for Staying Out of the Kitchen
So now that you know the violations of the rule, here are some strategies to avoid breaking the kitchen rule. You need to keep these strategies in mind if you do not want to throw away points:
- Stay Behind the Kitchen Line—This may sound obvious but in the heat of the moment can be very difficult to remember. Try to maintain a position just behind the line to avoid accidental foot faults and momentum faults.
- Control Your Momentum—Try to move your momentum laterally to avoid going straight for the kitchen line. One way you can do this is after a volley, step back or to the side instead of moving forward into the kitchen.
- Use Dinking Strategies—Dinking is a method of controlling a rally, so instead of aggressive volleys, you should try and use soft shots (dinks) that land in the kitchen to challenge your opponent.
Final Thoughts
The kitchen rule is what makes pickleball unique, adding a layer of strategy and finesse to the game. Understanding and mastering this rule will not only help you avoid faults but also improve your overall performance. So next time you step onto the court, keep an eye on your footwork, stay out of the kitchen on volleys, and embrace the strategic advantage this rule provides!
