The kitchen rule in pickleball, explained

What the kitchen is

The kitchen, officially the non-volley zone, is the area within 7 feet of the net on each side, 20 feet wide. Its line counts as part of the kitchen.

The rule exists to stop players camping at the net and smashing every ball. It is the reason pickleball has dinks and soft play.

The rule

• You may not volley, meaning hit the ball before it bounces, while touching the kitchen or its line.
• That includes anything you are wearing or carrying, such as your paddle or a hat that falls.
• If the momentum of a volley carries you into the kitchen, it is a fault, even if the ball is already dead.
• You may stand in the kitchen at any time. You just cannot volley from there.
• You may enter the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced, and stay there as long as you like.
• To volley again after being in the kitchen, both feet must first be back outside it.

The Erne

An Erne is a volley hit from outside the sideline, beside the kitchen, so you can reach the ball close to the net without touching the kitchen. It is legal as long as you do not touch the kitchen or its line on the way.

Common mistakes

• Toes on the line while volleying. The line is the kitchen.
• Hitting a high volley at the net and stepping forward to keep your balance.
• Thinking you must leave the kitchen after a dink. You only need to leave before your next volley.