Pickleball Kitchen Rules

The Kitchen. Pickleball’s most infamous element. On both sides of the court, seven feet from the net, the kitchen keeps the athletically and physically superior from dominating the game. Within the highly competitive game, it stands out as the area of the pickleball court that encourages finesse over power. The kitchen is what makes the game so beautiful. So, what’s the history behind it, and how did it get its name? The Paddle Experts at JustPaddles explain everything you need to know and more. Let's dive in.

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Pickleball Kitchen Explained

To play the kitchen effectively, it’s essential to understand, “What is the kitchen in pickleball?”For starters, “the kitchen” is a nickname given to pickleball’s non-volley zone. No player is allowed inside (or on the line) of the non-volley zone unless the ball has bounced. This includes stepping into the kitchen following a volley or after the ball has been ruled dead.

The following are pickleball terms to know when learning how to play the kitchen strategically:

• Groundstroke: A shot hit following a bounce.
• Volley: A shot hit in the air before the ball bounces.
• Dink: A soft shot used by experienced players to land just beyond the net, often within the kitchen, and force the opponent into a tight vertical angle on their return shot.
• Erne: A predictive shot where a player jumps or runs around the kitchen to hit a fast-paced return. Usually used to catch the opponent off guard.
• ATP: The “around the post” shot is exactly like it seems. A player hits the ball around the netting, and the ball lands in the opponent’s court. This is a legal (and often exciting) play in pickleball.

Why Is It Called the Kitchen in Pickleball?

Pickleball Kitchen Rules

According to the International Federation of Pickleball’s (IFP) official tournament rulebook: 

“A fault will be declared if, in the act of volleying the ball, a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying touches the non-volley zone or touches any non-volley line. For example, a fault will be declared if, in the act of volleying the ball, one of the player’s feet touches a non-volley line.”

The easiest takeaway here is to not hit a volley while in the kitchen. But there’s more to the rule than your first glance might see. Notice the verbiage around “anything the player is wearing or carrying.” This means that your hat cannot legally fall into the area, nor may your pickleball paddle touch the non-volley zone without a fault being declared. If you’re just playing a casual game with friends, you may choose not to invoke this rule, but know that others may call out this rule if you are in a serious league or tournament match.

If you are interested in learning more about pickleball rules, be sure to read our other blog posts.

When Can You Step into the Kitchen in Pickleball?

In pickleball, you can definitely step into the kitchen (the non-volley zone), but here's the catch—you can't return the ball until it bounces first. A lot of experienced players step into the kitchen to return a short dink shot. But don’t hang out there too long, or you’ll be left open to a shot from your opponent. If you're standing in the kitchen or on the line, your opponent can hit the ball wherever they want, and you can’t do anything about it until the ball bounces.

Can You Go into the Kitchen Before the Ball Bounces?

You can step into the kitchen before the ball bounces, but the key rule is you can’t hit a volley from there until the ball has bounced. While you can go into the kitchen to get in position for a shot, always make sure to wait for the ball to bounce before hitting it. Remember, no volleys in the kitchen!

What is the rule of dinking in the kitchen?

When it comes to dinking, you’ve got to wait for the ball to bounce in the kitchen before making your return. It’s pretty common for players to step into the kitchen to return a soft dink shot, but you’ve got to make sure the ball bounces first. Just like with any shot in the kitchen, you can't volley it—timing and patience are everything.

Key Takeaways for Mastering the Kitchen

Now that you know the pickleball kitchen rules, get to the kitchen as fast as you can, toe the line, and dominate your opponent. Avoid stepping into the kitchen unless the ball has bounced, and maybe try an erne or ATP at your next game. We’d love to hear how it goes.

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Don't forget, if you ever have any questions about pickleball paddles or pickleball in general, our Paddle Experts are always here to help. You can contact them via phone at 866-382-3465, email at experts@justpaddles.com, or live chat. We’re JustPaddles, and we’re with you from Click to Court!