Pickleball is a fun and exciting game that has been growing in popularity in recent years. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting, understanding the rules of the game is essential for safe and fair play. In this guide, we'll cover all the important rules of pickleball, including the rules related to the kitchen.

What Is The Kitchen

The kitchen is a 14-foot area on either side of the net that extends back to the service line. This area is also known as the non-volley zone. The purpose of the kitchen is to prevent players from hitting volleys too close to the net, which could result in unsafe play.

“Before explaining the rules, you need to know what is Volley.”

According to the USA pickleball, Volleys means a ball hit in the air before it bounces onto the court during a rally. It is often used when at the NVZ line to return a ball hit hard and low over the net. May be hit forehand or backhand; backhand is more common.

Pickleball Kitchen Rules

No Volleying: When a player is standing inside the kitchen, they are not allowed to hit the ball in the air before it bounces on their own side of the court, unless the ball has already bounced in the kitchen or their momentum carries them into the kitchen after hitting the ball. This is known as the ""no-volley"" rule, or the ""kitchen rule."" The purpose of this rule is to prevent players from hitting volleys too close to the net, which could result in unsafe play. Violating this rule results in a fault, and the opposing team is awarded a point.

Foot Faults: When a player is serving, both feet must be behind the baseline. When a player is volleying, both feet must be outside the kitchen. Stepping on or over the line while volleying is considered a ""foot fault."" If a player commits a foot fault, they lose their serve or the opposing team is awarded a point.

Staying Out of the Kitchen: After hitting a volley, players must quickly move out of the kitchen to avoid interfering with play or breaking the no-volley rule. Players can step into the kitchen to retrieve a ball that has bounced in the kitchen, but they must exit the kitchen before hitting the ball back over the net.

Exceptions: There are a few exceptions to the no-volley rule. For example, if a ball bounces in the kitchen, players are allowed to hit it while standing in the kitchen. Additionally, if a player's momentum carries them into the kitchen after hitting the ball, they are allowed to hit the ball while standing in the kitchen. However, they must exit the kitchen immediately after hitting the ball.

When Can You Go In The Kitchen In Pickleball

Here some wrong suggestions you might heard before.

• You must wait for the ball to bounce before entering the non-volley zone.
• If you hit the ball and enter the non-volley zone (regardless of the type of shot you hit), you have made a mistake.
• If the ball bounces outside the non-volley zone, you cannot enter the non-volley zone as part of the hit (I know this sounds obvious, but there is some debate over this ""interpretation"" ).

None of these is true.

In pickleball, a volley is when a player hits the ball in the air before it bounces on their side of the court.

Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when entering the Non-Volley Zone:

• Retrieving a ball: Players can enter the kitchen to retrieve a ball that has bounced in the kitchen, but they must exit the kitchen before hitting the ball back over the net, unless an exception applies.
• After a volley: If a player hits a volley, they must quickly move out of the kitchen to avoid interfering with play or breaking the no-volley rule.
• After the serve: The serving player can enter the kitchen after serving, as long as they do not interfere with play or break the no-volley rule.
• During a rally: Players can enter the kitchen during a rally, but they must be careful not to hit a volley while standing inside the kitchen, unless an exception applies.

It's important to note that the rules related to the Non-Volley Zone can be complex, and it's easy to accidentally violate them. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the rules and practice good court awareness to avoid rule violations.

What Can You Not Do In The Kitchen In Pickleball

In pickleball, the kitchen is a designated area on either side of the net that extends back to the service line. The purpose of the kitchen is to prevent players from hitting volleys too close to the net, which could result in unsafe play. To ensure safe and fair play, there are certain things that players cannot do while they are inside the kitchen. These include:

Hit the ball in the air: While standing inside the kitchen, players cannot hit the ball in the air before it bounces on their own side of the court, unless an applicable exception applies. This is known as the ""no-volley"" rule, or the ""kitchen rule."" The purpose of this rule is to prevent players from hitting volleys too close to the net, which could result in unsafe play. Violating this rule results in a fault, and the opposing team is awarded a point.

Interfere with play: After hitting a volley, players must quickly move out of the kitchen to avoid interfering with play or breaking the no-volley rule. If a player remains in the kitchen after hitting a volley and interferes with play, they may be penalized.

Step on or over the line: When a player is volleying, both feet must be outside the kitchen. Stepping on or over the line while volleying is considered a ""foot fault."" If a player commits a foot fault, they lose their serve or the opposing team is awarded a point.

In summary, players cannot hit the ball in the air while standing inside the kitchen, interfere with play by remaining in the kitchen after hitting a volley, or step on or over the line while volleying. By following these rules, players can enjoy the game of pickleball while minimizing the risk of injury and maintaining a fair and level playing field.