What are the Rules for the “Non-Volley Zone / Kitchen” in Pickleball?

The non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen, is one of the most important areas on a pickleball court. Understanding the rules around volleying and stepping into the kitchen is crucial for playing legal and strategic pickleball.

The main rule is that volleys must be taken outside of the non-volley zone. Stepping into the kitchen before hitting a volley is not allowed.

Below we will explore the non-volley zone rules in depth, looking at the purpose, dimensions, legal vs illegal volleys, and more.

Why is there a Non-Volley Zone in Pickleball?

The non-volley zone, or kitchen, was established to prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage by crowding the net. Volleying close to the net can be highly effective, so pickleball founders set boundaries to regulate volleying.

The kitchen limits volleying near the net and helps maintain balanced, strategic play. It forces players to think carefully about shot placement and positioning. Mastering the non-volley zone gives a tactical edge.

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What are the Dimensions of the Non-Volley Zone?

The non-volley zone is defined as the 7 feet area on each side of the net. It extends to the sidelines, creating a rectangle measuring 7 feet by 15 feet on each side of the net.

The exact dimensions are:

• Width (from sideline to sideline): 15 feet
• Depth (from net to back line): 7 feet

Lines mark the front and sides of the kitchen. There is no back line, but an imaginary line exists 7 feet from the net.

The total area of the kitchen is 210 square feet (15 x 7 feet) on each side of the court.

What Counts as the Non-Volley Zone?

The non-volley zone refers strictly to the court surface between the lines. The zone does not extend vertically upwards.

The kitchen only includes:

• The ground within the lined area
• The lines marking the non-volley zone

The non-volley zone does NOT include the air above it. Players are allowed to volley while standing in the kitchen as long as they don’t touch the ground inside the lines.

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What is a Volley in Pickleball?

A volley refers to hitting the ball out of the air without letting it bounce. Volleys are used to take the ball early, reducing reaction time for the opponent.

The official definition of a volley is “the shot where the player strikes the ball out of the air without first letting it bounce.”

Key aspects that define a volley:

• The paddle contacts the ball mid-air, before it can bounce
• The swing, follow-through, and momentum are continuous
• The player aims to hit the ball downwards into the opponent’s court

Shots where the ball bounces before being struck are not volleys. This includes groundstrokes, lobs, overheads smashed after the bounce, etc.

What Makes a Volley Legal or Illegal?

The central non-volley zone rule is that volleys must be initiated outside the kitchen lines. Failing to do so results in a fault.

Here are examples of legal vs illegal volleys:

Legal Volleys:

• Hitting a clear volley while standing completely outside the non-volley zone
• Jumping up from outside the kitchen and volleying the ball mid-air inside the zone
• Standing inside the kitchen but volleying a ball that bounced outside the lines

Illegal Volleys:

• Hitting a volley while standing on the non-volley zone line
• Stepping into the kitchen before finishing the volley swing
• Being inside the non-volley zone when initiating a volley
• Contacting the ball before it bounces while any body part is touching the kitchen

The key is that the volley motion must be completed outside the non-volley zone. A player can then step into the kitchen after legally volleying the ball.

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Can You Step Into the Kitchen After Hitting a Volley?

Yes, players are permitted to enter the non-volley zone after making legal contact with the ball during a volley.

Stepping into the kitchen is allowed because the volley itself was executed correctly outside the lines. A player is not penalized for momentum carrying them forward.

The sequence below demonstrates proper form:

1. Start outside the non-volley zone
2. Initiate volley swing and contact ball while still outside the kitchen
3. Follow-through and step into non-volley zone

As long as the volley execution begins and finishes outside the kitchen, a player can move into the zone afterwards. However, they cannot initiate a second volley from inside the lines.

Can Any Body Part Touch Inside the Non-Volley Zone During a Volley?

No body part can touch the non-volley zone during the act of volleying. Both feet must be fully outside the lines on the court surface when the ball is struck.

Players may not:

• Have any foot touching the kitchen line or ground inside it
• Lean a shoulder inside the non-volley zone
• Extend their paddle over the lines

The entire volley motion from windup to follow-through must be completed with full body clearance of the kitchen area.

The only exception is during a jumping volley, when a player is airborne over the non-volley zone. In this case, they can be over but not touching any part of the kitchen.

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What Happens If a Volley is Hit From Inside the Kitchen?

Volleying from inside the non-volley zone is a fault. The offending team loses the rally and a point is awarded to their opponents.

If players on the same team both touch the ball during an illegal kitchen volley, only the player that completed the improper volley is charged with the fault.

Here are scenarios where volley faults may occur:

• Hitting a volley while standing with both feet in the kitchen
• Rushing forward and contacting the ball in the air inside the non-volley zone
• Jumping into the kitchen and volleying the ball before landing outside the lines

Faults are enforced strictly, even if the foot fault or improper volley was accidental. Players need to be mindful of their positioning relative to the non-volley zone at all times.

What Happens if a Player Touches the Non-Volley Zone Line During a Volley?

Touching any part of the non-volley zone lines is considered the same as being inside the kitchen. If any body part contacts the line during a volley, it is a fault.

The lines are out-of-bounds during a volley. Players should keep a slight buffer between themselves and the lines when volleying near the kitchen.

Stepping on the line too early is one of the most common volley faults. Being aware of foot position and stance is key to avoiding this mistake.

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Does the Non-Volley Zone Extend Vertically Upwards?

No, the non-volley zone only exists on the flat court surface between the marked lines. It does not extend upwards into the air.

Players are permitted to stand or jump inside the kitchen while volleying, as long as no part of their body touches the ground or lines. The volley itself must still be initiated outside the non-volley zone.

Examples of legal volleys:

• Jumping into the kitchen and hitting an overhead volley mid-air
• Running into the zone but volleying the ball before stepping inside
• Reaching over the non-volley zone lines to return a volley

The non-volley zone has no vertical restrictions. However, players cannot contact any part of the marked zone when striking a volley.

How is the Non-Volley Zone Enforced and Disputed?

Players are expected to make their own non-volley zone and foot fault calls. If an illegal volley occurs, the offending player should declare “Kitchen” or “Foot fault” against themselves.

If a fault is disputed:

• In recreational play, the point is replayed without penalty
• In tournament play, the player(s) involved replay the point with the server starting from the left side

The ultimate decision lies with the players on the court. Spectators and coaches cannot call infractions or appeal calls.

If faults happen repeatedly without being called, the players should have a discussion and reset expectations. Intentionally concealing violations is considered poor sportsmanship.

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Why is Proper Non-Volley Zone Etiquette Important?

Being mindful of the non-volley zone shows respect for opponents and for the sport. Following the kitchen rules demonstrates integrity and honesty.

The system relies on players to self-officiate. Not playing by the established rules undermines pickleball’s culture of fair play.

Setting high expectations around volley faults encourages strategic, competitive play. Both teams should feel confident they are operating on a level playing field.

What Strategies Should You Use Around the Non-Volley Zone?

Understanding the non-volley zone rules allows players to develop tactics involving the kitchen:

• Move laterally along the non-volley zone line to cut off volley angles
• Hit down-the-line volleys to pressure opponents on their backhand near the kitchen
• Approach the non-volley zone for punch volleys when the ball is low
• Draw opponents into kitchen errors by lobbing behind them

With practice, players learn to exploit and avoid the “danger zone” around the non-volley lines. Mastering this area of the court gives a key competitive advantage.

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Tips for Properly Executing Volleys

Learning proper volley technique ensures players routinely stay outside the non-volley zone:

• Keep volleys compact with short backswings
• Use quick lateral footwork to get in position
• Keep shoulders square and side-on to the non-volley zone
• Split step to time volleys and explode forward or back
• Be ready to retreat; don’t crowd the kitchen too closely

Developing fast reaction time and foot speed helps avoid crossing the lines accidentally. Players should err on the side of caution near the kitchen.

Common Non-Volley Zone Mistakes to Avoid

While the kitchen rules are simple in theory, they can be tricky to consistently follow in gameplay. Here are some mistakes recreational players often make:

• Crowding too close to the non-volley zone lines
• Hitting volleys while leaning over the lines
• Misjudging position and stepping on the lines
• Having a foot in the air over the kitchen during a volley
• Not calling kitchen faults on yourself
• Getting into a “kitchen volley” rally pattern

Being aware of these common errors will help avoid them. Players should think proactively about proper positioning and footwork near the non-volley zone.

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Conclusion: Master the Non-Volley Zone to Up Your Pickleball Game

Understanding non-volley zone rules allows you to maximize your skills and strategy. By volleying legally and avoiding foot faults, you’ll build better habits as a pickleball player.

With the above guide, you now know the kitchen dimensions, legal vs illegal volleys, enforcement policies, and smart tactics. Applying this knowledge will help improve your precision and pickleball IQ.

The non-volley zone adds unique elements to the game. Embrace the skills required to master the kitchen area on the court. You’ll become a stronger, smarter, and more respected pickleball competitor.