If you have ever played pickleball then you have definitely heard of the kitchen. When you are first starting out with pickleball, you might find the Kitchen and its rules a bit confusing, and this is totally normal.
Understanding the Kitchen can take a little bit of time, but the more time you play and talk about pickleball, the faster you will understand all of the extra rules and areas.
Knowing how to interact with the Kitchen and knowing its size and rules will help you improve the way you play.
If you want to know how big the Kitchen is in pickleball then you have come to the right place! We will be going over exactly what the Kitchen is, how big it is, and some Kitchen rules you should be aware of for the next time you play!
What Is The Kitchen?
Before we get into how big the Kitchen is, let’s talk about what it actually is first. The Kitchen is officially called the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ). It is found 7 feet on either side of the net, which is in the center.
The Kitchen has a line that is drawn out to mark its location which is called the Kitchen line/NVZ line.
The most intense parts of pickleball usually happen in the Kitchen, so it is an area of the pickleball court you are going to want to familiarize yourself with! The best scoring opportunities usually happen in the Kitchen too!
You need to have quick reaction times when you are in the Kitchen and when you understand more about this area, you can really work it to your advantage in a match.
How Big Is The Kitchen In Pickleball
Now you have a better understanding of what the Kitchen is, let’s talk about its size!
Typically, the Kitchen zone in pickleball is 44 feet long by 20 feet wide. It covers an area within 7′ of the net and this is on both sides. It also extends from each sideline to the next.
The Kitchen covers a total area of 140 square feet. It is the smallest area on the pickleball court, but it is one of the best areas to score points!
Rules To Know About The Kitchen
As you play more pickleball, you will naturally find yourself in the Kitchen zone more often. Because of this, you need to make sure that you understand the rules of the Kitchen before you start aiming for points.
Knowing the rules and forming the right habits will make the game a lot easier and more fun for you and anyone you are playing with.
If you want to read the official rules for the Kitchen, you will find them in the USA Pickleball Rulebook for American players, and the IFP Rulebook for international players.
It is important to note that the term ‘Kitchen’ is not official, and you won’t find it in these rule books. Instead, you will need to look up the term ‘Non-Volley’ instead.
Until you get hold of a rule book, here are some need-to-know rules that can help you in the meantime!
No Volleying In The Kitchen
The first rule you should be aware of is that you cannot volley in the Kitchen zone.
Lots of people think that you can’t be in the Kitchen when the ball bounces, but the actual rule is that you can be in the Kitchen whenever you want, but you cannot hit the ball in the Kitchen until it bounces.
This can be quite confusing to new players, but once you get this rule down, it will make playing the game a lot easier and you won’t have to worry about breaking any rules.
Just remember, do not hit the ball until it has bounced if you are even a foot in the Kitchen!
No Item Of Clothing In The Kitchen When Hitting A Volley
Of course, you should be wearing your clothes when you are in the Kitchen. But if you are hitting a volley and any of your clothes or gear fall and hit the Kitchen floor, then it is classed as a fault.
To avoid this, simply make sure that you are not wearing any loose items, such as sunglasses or loose hats, and make sure that all of your clothes are secure.
Even a jacket that just falls from your waist can cost you when you are hitting a volley in the Kitchen!
Nothing You Are Touching Should Be In The Kitchen When You Are Vollying
Even if you are out of the Kitchen, there is still a chance that a fault can happen because of the kitchen. The simplest example of this is when you hit a volley, but you accidentally bump into your partner.
If their foot is even an inch in the Kitchen while this is happening, then it is classed as a fault.
This is one of many reasons why you need to be aware of your surroundings while you are playing pickleball!
The Kitchen Line Is A Part of the Kitchen!
The Kitchen line is a line that can be found on the edge of the Kitchen. It acts as an outline for the area. This line is 100% a part of the Kitchen, and you cannot volley if any part of your body is touching it.
If any of your gear or clothing falls onto the Kitchen line, this also still counts as a fault, so just be mindful of this if you find yourself close to the Kitchen Line.
Conclusion
The Kitchen, aka the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) in pickleball, is quite small and only measures about 140 square feet in total size.
There are lots of rules to take into consideration about the Kitchen, and it’s in your best interest to learn about them and memorize them so you don’t accidentally cause a fault when you are in the area.
Learn some of the rules we have provided here and get a handbook when you can!
Pickleball has been played for decades, and it is a great way to let off some steam, engage in friendly competition, and improve your fitness levels.
Hi, my name is Joe Polls and my family and I are keen pickleball players. My parents actually met on a pickleball court, and the rest is history.
I have always loved pickleball, no matter how many times I hear that it’s not a real sport. It has helped me get through some challenging times in my life - whether that be a breakup, finals, or even bereavement. The reason I made my website is so that I can teach more people about the wonders of pickleball, and maybe even get them interested in playing.
Pickleball could always use more players, so what are you waiting for?
Please, enjoy my website and I hope it teaches you something of use. Who knows, maybe I’ll catch you out on the court one day!
