Pickleball Kitchen Rules

The pickleball court is divided into three main parts and one of them is the non-volley zone which is located between the net and the non-volley line. This area is also referred to as a pickleball kitchen. This area has its own pickleball kitchen rules that have to be followed by players while a pickleball game. These rules are a little bit complicated and are few in number. If you are a beginner and are unfamiliar with this set of rules then this guide will clarify everything you need to know.

What is Pickleball Kitchen?

Before getting started there are some basic terms that you must need to know about pickleball game structure.

Non-volley Zone

This is the main area of the pickleball court which is located 7 feet behind the net and between the net and the non-volley line. It is the area in which a player is allowed to take shots without committing a fault. The NVZ is the area deemed safe for players to volley, or make contact with the ball using a racquet. This zone is most effective in a game of pickleball, as it is the zone in which players need to hold their racquets to make a shot without committing a fault.

Volley

A volley simply means when you hit a ball out of the air before it has bounced back on the ground. This can increase the speed of the pickleball and is useful for a hard strike for backing up in order to let them bounce.

Groundstroke

The opposite of the volley is groundstroke it refers to the act of executing a shot after it has bounced. These shots are often made to sustain the long rally and run to the opposite competitor. Understanding these basic terms will help you to understand the rules of pickleball court. Also checkout the best pickleball books to understand the game.

Pickleball Kitchen Rules

Here are some rules that you need to know to participate and enjoy the game properly.

Non volleying

This is the simplest rule of the pickleball game that, within a non-volley zone the ball must bounce before hitting. Non volleying is when you serve the ball and instead of bouncing it back to your partner, you shoot it directly at the net, preventing your partner from returning the ball, and thus allowing your partner a chance to curve the ball back over the net and into play. This tactic helps players gain an advantage in doubles situations since it allows a player to shoot a higher ball than their partner.

Over The Line Rules

The non-volley line is referred to as part of the non-volley zone so the player’s foot cannot touch the non-volley line during the act of volleying. If any body part of the player touches the line then it will be considered a fault. So, any part of the player should not touch or cross the non-volley line.

Because of this, even after the ball is hit, the momentum from the shot and the follow-through of the racquet must not cause the player or racquet to cross the non-volley line.

The momentum from the volley should not take you into the non-volley zone, even when the ball is dead on your opponent’s side.

When to enter the Pickleball kitchen

You can enter the kitchen any time, as long as the volley is not being struck. Groundstroke can be hit from the ground.

If a player is moving out of the non-volley zone to hit a volley, the player needs to have both feet outside the zone before he can hit the ball.

Always keep in your mind that a volley can be struck after two bounces, once on the server’s side and once on the receiver’s side before being hit.

The Court

The dimensions of the pickleball court are similar to the double’s badminton court i.e., 20’ x 44’. The net hung on each end of the net is 36″ and 34” in the middle. A non-volley zone extends 7″ on each side of the net. There remains 15’ on each side of the court. On each side, the 20’ x 15’ rectangles are further divided into two equal rectangles measuring 10’ x 15’.

Player Misconduct:

There are also some other physical behavior issues that will lead to the ejection.

These Misconduct penalties include:

• Any use or act of profanity
• Extensive misuse of the facility and/or equipment
• Slashing
• Unnecessary rough play
• Intentional roughing/checking
• Verbal or physical abuse used towards an official, opponent, or supervisor
• Fighting
• Any unsportsmanlike behavior that in the opinion of the official, warrants ejection.

Conclusion

Pickleball is a game that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It’s played on a badminton-sized court and uses a paddle and a whiffle ball instead of rackets and a traditional ball. It is played in doubles and each player is assigned a number. The score of each game is played to 11 points. Player’s alternate hitting the ball and attempt to make it into the opponent’s court. There are some rules of this game that you have to follow whether you are playing indoors or outdoors. In this game, you cannot enter into the non-volley zone due to some restrictions. If the rules are followed properly the game will be the most enjoyable moment of your life.