Stay out of the kitchen?
Pickleball is an exhilarating game that has taken the sports world by storm. One of the key rules that can confuse beginners is the concept of the “kitchen.” So, when can you step into the kitchen during a pickleball match? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the kitchen in pickleball, why it matters, and how it affects your gameplay.
Image: A diagram of the pickleball court showing the kitchen area.
Understanding the Kitchen in Pickleball
What is the Kitchen?
The kitchen is also known as the non-volley zone (NVZ), which is a 7-foot area on either side of the net. This zone is critical because it restricts players from hitting volleys (hitting a ball out of the air before it bounces on your side of the court) while standing in the kitchen. This means you must allow the ball to bounce before you can hit it if you are in the kitchen.
Image: A full view of a pickleball court highlighting the kitchen area.
Dink and Volley?
These are the two important shots at the kitchen. A DINK is when the opponent hits the ball into your side of the kitchen and it bounces up for you to hit back. A VOLLEY is when the opponent hits the ball into your side of the court but it doesn’t bounce into the kitchen. So the DINK ball bounces into the kitchen and the VOLLEY ball doesn’t bounce into the kitchen.
Why is the Kitchen Important?
The kitchen rule is designed to make players think more strategically and not just stand right next to the net and slam the ball into the other side of the court. By limiting volleys in this zone, players are forced to think about their positioning and shot selection. You will “dink” the ball when it bounces into the kitchen UNLESS you can reach only your paddle into the kitchen and hit it over the net. The best players will dink the ball as low as possible over the net to their opponent. They will go back and forth until their is a subtle mistake and one opponent hits the ball too high. Then you are able to reach your paddle into the kitchen to quickly slam in down, toward their feet, or at an angle or speed that they cannot return.
When Can You Step in the Kitchen?
This is often misunderstood by beginners because coaches will say “Stay out of the kitchen”. This is actually so wrong to teach. Instead the proper way to get it into your mindset is to say: “YOU CAN STEP INTO THE KITCHEN ANYTIME. BUT YOU CANNOT HIT A VOLLEY BALL WHILE STANDING IN THE KITCHEN”. That is the only time you must stay out of the kitchen.
1. After the Ball Bounces
You can step into the kitchen whenever you need to, but you must allow the ball to bounce before hitting it. Otherwise stay 3-4 inches away from the kitchen line so you don’t get a foot fault.
2. During a Rally
Once the ball has bounced, you can enter the kitchen. If you’re trying to return a ball that has bounced in the kitchen, you can step in, hit the ball, and then move out of the kitchen afterward.
3. Strategic Positioning
Many players will intentionally position themselves near the kitchen line (the edge of the NVZ, 3-4 inches away from the baseline) to prepare for incoming shots. You want to control this area of the court because you are in the perfect position to quickly return shots, and make it difficult for opponents to hit at your feet, AND reduce the angles they have to hit within your court.
Kitchen Violations
What Constitutes a Violation?
Stepping into the kitchen is allowed as long as you don’t volley the ball while inside it. A violation occurs if:
You hit a ball that hasn’t bounced while standing in the kitchen.
Your foot touches the NVZ line while hitting a volley.
Consequences of Violations
If you commit a kitchen violation, it’s considered a fault, and your opponent will receive a point or lose their serving position. Understanding these rules helps you make the proper decisions and shots to get you and your partner up to the kitchen line and stay there to dominate the point.
Tips for Mastering the Kitchen
1. Practice Your Footwork
To become more comfortable with the kitchen rule, practice moving in and out of the kitchen area. Good footwork allows you to be agile and responsive during matches.
2. Watch the Ball
Always keep your eyes on the ball and anticipate its trajectory. This awareness helps you decide when it’s safe to step into the kitchen and when to stay back.
3. Stay Calm Under Pressure
In intense rallies, it can be tempting to rush into the kitchen. Take your time, remember the rules, and make sure to let the ball bounce if you’re stepping in.
4. Use Drills
Consider practicing with a partner. Set up drills that focus on the kitchen area, allowing both players to practice entering and exiting the zone while ensuring they follow the rules.
Kitchen Strategy in Gameplay
1. The Kitchen Line
Positioning yourself near the kitchen line can give you a strategic advantage. It allows you to execute quick volleys if the ball bounces just outside the kitchen, putting pressure on your opponent.
2. Lobbing
When you see your opponent approaching the kitchen line, consider lobbing the ball over their head. This forces them to retreat, giving you time to position yourself better.
3. Dinking
Dinking is a soft shot intended to land in the kitchen. It’s an effective way to keep your opponent on the defensive and open up opportunities for more aggressive shots.
4. Understanding Your Opponent’s Patterns
Watch how your opponent reacts near the kitchen. If they struggle with low balls, focus on shots that force them into uncomfortable positions. Tip: Many “Bangers” struggle with their dink shots so you can quickly nuetralize a banger by forcing them into playing a dinking game at the net.
Conclusion
Understanding when and how to step into the kitchen is crucial for any pickleball player. If you are a beginner just remember: You can step into the kitchen anytime you want. The ONLY time you can’t step in the kitchen is when the ball doesn’t bounce on your side first before you hit it over. That is it. Pros will tell you that the single most important skill to learn that will move you to the next level is to develop your dink game at the kitchen. Practice and drill the soft/dink game AND when to speed it up. This is where most points are won.
As you continue to play and improve, remember that mastering the kitchen is a journey. Keep practicing, dink to neutralize a banger/reset a fast game, look for a ball to speed up across the court, and relax your grip in a dink so that you can continue dinking and not pop up the ball. It’s harder than it looks. Realize that once you have the basics down, you can then add spin, speed, and strategic ball positioning to win the point!