The kitchen, officially the non-volley zone, is the 7-foot (2.1m) area extending from the net on each side. Players may not volley the ball (hit it out of the air) while any part of them is touching the kitchen or its line — doing so is a fault. You can enter the kitchen to play a ball that has already bounced, but you must exit before volleying again. This single rule shapes all of pickleball’s tactics: it prevents players from standing at the net smashing everything, forcing the patient, skilful ‘dinking’ game of soft shots that defines the sport at higher levels.
Key points
- 7ft non-volley zone from the net
- Cannot volley while touching it
- Can enter to play a bounced ball
- Forces the tactical dinking game
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