Many of the most commonly misunderstood rules of pickleball are centered around "the kitchen".
What is the "Kitchen" in pickleball?
In pickleball, there is technically no such thing as the "kitchen"! What people usually refer to as "the kitchen" is actually the "Non-Volley Zone" (NVZ).
Rule 2.B.3. Non-Volley Zone (NVZ)
The area of the court, specific to each team, on either side of the net bounded by a line between the two sidelines (nonvolley zone line) parallel to and 7 feet (2.13 m) from the net. All NVZ lines are part of the NVZ.
pickleball non-volley zone or kitchen
When are you NOT allowed to be in the kitchen?
The name of the zone kind of gives it away. You're NOT allowed to touch the "non-volley" zone when you're in the act of volleying the ball.
Rule 9.B.
It is a fault if the volleying player or anything that has contact with the volleying player while in the act of volleying, touches the non-volley zone.
So if you hit the ball out of the air (a "volley") while touching the non-volley zone, it's a fault. That's it! Simple!

Well... not exactly. The actual rule specifies that "The act of volleying the ball includes the swing, the follow-through, and the momentum from the action." Although that might not seem like a big deal, it makes all the difference when understanding the rule.

That additional verbiage means that if you volley the ball, and your momentum causes you to touch the NVZ, that is also a fault. Or, if your paddle touches the zone as you're swinging to hit the ball, even if you touch the ground BEFORE you hit the ball, that's also a fault, since it was part of "the swing".
When are you ALLOWED to be in the kitchen?
Any time other than what's mentioned above! You could theoretically play (and win) an entire game all while standing inside the non-volley zone! Pickleball Rules 9.E., 9.F., 9.G., and 9.E. all confirm that you're allowed to be in the kitchen at any time except when volleying the ball.
Why do people always stand near the kitchen?
You'll very often see players playing close to the non-volley zone. If you're standing IN the kitchen, (as we've learned you're allowed to do), your opponent could just hit the ball hard at you. The only thing the you could do is get out of the way. If you hit the volley while still in the kitchen, is a fault.
Can I jump OVER the kitchen as I hit the ball?
Yes! There's even a name for it - the "Erne", named after Erne Perry who is thought to have popularized the shot. As long as you don't touch the kitchen (including the lines, of course) as you jump or land, there is no non-volley zone fault. It's not the easiest shot, but many people use it to great effect, as it can catch opponents offguard, and give them less reaction time to block the shot.
How long after I've touched the kitchen do I have to wait until I can volley the ball?
If you've made contact with the non-volley zone, both feet must make contact with the surface OUTSIDE of the NVZ before you're allowed to volley a ball.
Rule 9.D.
If a player has touched the non-volley zone for any reason, that player cannot volley a return until both feet have made contact with the playing surface completely outside the nonvolley zone. A maneuver such as standing within the nonvolley zone, jumping up to hit a volley, and then landing outside the non-volley zone is a fault.
Additional NVZ rules to know
If you understand the rules above, you're 99% of the way there. But there are a few minor "gotchas" that you'll want to know.
  • If you volley the ball, and the swing or momentum causes anything you're touching to contact the non-volley zone, it's a fault. For instance, if your hat falls off and lands in the non-volley zone or you drop your paddle into the NVZ while in the act of volleying, it's a fault.
  • Your partner MAY pull you back to help you not fall into the kitchen, but if they are touching the NVZ when they do, it's a fault. That's because the rule mentions that "anything that has contact with the volleying player" cannot touch the non-volley zone.
  • If you swing for the ball and contact your partner's paddle, then hit the volley, it's a fault if EITHER of you were touching the kitchen.
Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen) Myths
  • MYTH 1: "Once the ball is dead and the rally is over, it doesn't matter if you touch the kitchen." Wrong. Even if the rally was over 30 seconds prior, if you're still teetering, then fall in and touch the NVZ, that counts as your "momentum" and is still a fault.
  • MYTH 2: "After touching the NVZ, you must exit the kitchen before hitting another ball." This just isn't true and is not part of the rules. In fact, rule 9.G. specifies that "There is no violation if a player does not exit the non-volley zone after hitting a ball that bounces."
  • MYTH 3: "Your swing can't go over the non-volley zone." False. The kitchen is a 2-dimensional space on the court and does NOT include the area above it.
  • MYTH 4: "You can't step into the kitchen until after the ball bounces." Nope! There is no rule against being in the kitchen even before your opponent hits the ball, let alone before it bounces.
  • MYTH 5: "As long as you're not touching the kitchen at the moment you hit the ball, it's not a fault." Incorrect! As we learned above, the "act of volleying" includes the swing, the follow-through, and the momentum.
  • MYTH 5: "Only one partner can be in the kitchen at any time." False. There is no rule against how many players can be in the non-volley zone.
Pickleball Addict
Pickleball Cafe Referee
Asked on
Dec 3rd, 2022