A unique aspect of pickleball that distinguishes it from other racquet sports is the inclusion of a special zone known as the "kitchen" or the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ). This area, marked 7 feet on both sides of the net, has specific rules which are integral to the game's strategy and overall play. Understanding the kitchen rules can help you maximize your advantage and minimize your faults, contributing to a superior pickleball game.
Defining the "Kitchen" in Pickleball
Pickleball's kitchen, technically known as the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), is a 7-foot area extending on both sides of the net. The term "kitchen" is a colloquial phrase that makes it easier to remember the rules – if you volley in the kitchen, you're "in hot water". The NVZ runs the width of the court, demarcated by lines parallel to the net.
Kitchen Rule: No Volleys Allowed
The central rule of the kitchen in pickleball is that you cannot volley the ball while standing within this zone. A volley refers to hitting the ball before it bounces. Violating this rule, known as a "kitchen violation" or "kitchen fault," results in the loss of a point for your team in a competitive match, or the loss of serve in a casual game.
Stepping Into and Out of the Kitchen
Stepping into the kitchen is allowed in pickleball as long as you are not volleying the ball. This means you can enter the NVZ to play a ball that has bounced, and you can also exit the NVZ at any time. However, it's important to know that if you step into the kitchen while volleying the ball, it is considered a fault even if you step out of the kitchen immediately after hitting the ball.
Understanding the Momentum Rule
A complex aspect of the kitchen rules in pickleball is the momentum rule. If your momentum from a shot carries you into the kitchen after a volley, it is considered a fault. Even if you volley the ball while standing outside the kitchen, you must ensure that your momentum does not carry you into the NVZ.
Double Bounce Rule and the Kitchen
The double bounce rule is another important rule in pickleball that involves the kitchen. This rule states that when the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce once before returning it, and then the serving team must also let it bounce before returning it. This rule often necessitates that the third shot of the rally, typically played by the serving team, lands in the kitchen.
The kitchen rules of pickleball add a unique dimension to the game, making it a combination of power and finesse. Whether you are an experienced player honing your skills or a beginner learning the basics, understanding these rules can significantly enhance your pickleball strategy and overall enjoyment of the game.
What is a kitchen violation in pickleball?
In pickleball, a kitchen violation, also known as a Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) fault, occurs when a player volleys the ball – that is, hits it without letting it bounce – while standing within the NVZ, or "kitchen". The kitchen is the 7-foot zone extending from both sides of the net.
A violation also occurs if a player's momentum carries them into the kitchen after hitting a volley from just outside this zone. If the player's foot is on the line or over the line that defines the kitchen, this also counts as a violation.
When a kitchen violation occurs, it results in a fault, causing the player or team that committed the fault to lose their serve or, in some cases, a point.
So what can you do in the kitchen in pickleball?
The "kitchen" or the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) in pickleball is a key part of the court where specific rules apply. Here's what you can do in the kitchen:
- Play the Ball After a Bounce: You are allowed to step into the kitchen to play a ball that has already bounced. You can hit the ball either soft or hard, aim for a drop shot or a groundstroke. The key point is that the ball must bounce once before you hit it while standing in the kitchen.
- Move Through the Kitchen: You're allowed to move through the kitchen at any time. For example, if you need to chase a ball that's heading out of bounds or if you're switching sides with your partner in a doubles game, you can pass through the kitchen. However, you can't hit a volley while you're moving through the kitchen.
- Stay Inside the Kitchen: There is no limit to how long a player can stay in the kitchen as long as they are not volleying the ball. After playing a ball that has bounced in the kitchen, a player may choose to stay there to return the next shot, especially if they anticipate another soft shot landing in the kitchen.
- Execute a Dink Shot: A dink shot is a soft shot that is intended to arc over the net and land within the opponent's kitchen. These shots are very strategic and often used in the game of pickleball to force the opponent to let the ball bounce (as they can't volley it in the kitchen), slowing down the pace of the game.
Remember, you cannot hit a volley shot (hit the ball in the air without letting it bounce) while standing in the kitchen. Doing so results in a fault, causing you to lose a point or serve. Also, you cannot let your momentum carry you into the kitchen immediately after hitting a volley shot, as this would also result in a fault.
Can you step in the kitchen in pickleball before the ball bounces?
Yes, you can step into the "kitchen", or Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), in pickleball before the ball bounces. The rule is not about when you can enter the kitchen, but rather about what kind of shot you can play when you're in the kitchen.
While standing in the kitchen, you can't hit the ball out of the air before it bounces, which is known as volleying. You can, however, hit the ball after it has bounced, regardless of whether you were in the kitchen before or after the bounce. Also, you can move through the kitchen at any time, as long as you do not volley the ball.
So, you can enter the kitchen before the ball bounces, but you must let it bounce before you hit it. If you volley the ball while standing in the kitchen, it's considered a fault and results in the loss of a point or serve.
Can your paddle across the kitchen in pickleball?
In pickleball, your paddle (or any part of your body, for that matter) can enter the kitchen (Non-Volley Zone) at any time, with one primary exception: you can't volley the ball – that is, hit it out of the air before it bounces – while you, or your paddle, are in the kitchen.
If you are standing outside the kitchen and reach into the kitchen to volley a ball, it would be considered a fault. However, if the ball has bounced in the kitchen, you can reach in with your paddle to hit it, whether it be a soft dink or a hard groundstroke.
It's also important to note that the momentum rule applies to the paddle as well. If your momentum carries you or your paddle into the kitchen after hitting a volley from just outside, it's considered a fault. Always be mindful of where you, your feet, and your paddle are in relation to the kitchen when you're volleying the ball.
