The "kitchen" in pickleball refers to the non-volley zone, which is a designated area on the court located immediately adjacent to the net. The kitchen is a rectangular area that extends 7 feet on either side of the net and runs parallel to it. It is sometimes also referred to as the "NVZ" (non-volley zone) or "no-volley zone."
The purpose of the kitchen is to prevent players from executing volleys (hitting the ball out of the air) while standing close to the net. This rule helps promote fair play, strategy, and balanced gameplay. By limiting volleys in this area, it reduces the dominance of the net and encourages players to engage in more strategic shots and use the entire court.
The kitchen rule states that a player cannot hit the ball out of the air (volley) while standing inside the non-volley zone. However, once the ball has bounced, players are allowed to step into the kitchen and play volleys from there. It's important to note that even if a player's momentum carries them into the kitchen while hitting a volley, it is still considered a fault.
The kitchen rule is one of the unique aspects of pickleball that adds a strategic element to the game, as players need to be mindful of their position relative to the kitchen while maintaining a strong position on the court.