What is the kitchen in pickleball?

In pickleball, the kitchen (formally called the non-volley zone) is the rectangular area that extends exactly 7 feet from the net on both the near and far sides of the court. This 14-foot-wide band runs parallel to the net and marks a restricted zone with a specific rule: players standing in the kitchen cannot hit the ball in the air (volley). The ball must bounce first before it can be struck.

The kitchen rule prevents players from camping at the net and volleying every shot, which would otherwise give them an overwhelming advantage in short-range rallies. Players can enter the kitchen after the ball bounces, but the moment they volley from within that space, they commit a fault and lose the point. Similarly, even if a player stands outside the kitchen and volleys, they cannot have any part of their body or clothing touch the kitchen line or zone during the volley, or a fault is called.

Understanding kitchen boundaries is essential for court strategy. Most pickleball courts in the Klang Valley mark the kitchen with a clear line, and observing this rule is fundamental to fair play. The kitchen encourages longer rallies and more dynamic net play, keeping the game balanced between attacking net players and baseline defenders.