How Wide Is The Kitchen In Pickleball – The Astonishing Guide

When opposed to other sports, one important and unusual aspect of pickleball rules is that there is a region around the net known as the “kitchen.”

The non-volley zone is the correct term for this location.

While for some it is a terrifying nightmare that makes them shudder, for others it is a clever zone that presents several chances to win the game. 

In this article every question about how wide is the kitchen in pickleball will be cleared.

How Wide Is The Kitchen In Pickleball

The Pickleball Non-Volley Zone, which is sometimes known as the Pickleball Kitchen Size, is the area 7 feet on either side of the net.

The official measurements are as follows for those of you thinking about building your own pickleball court:

Size-wise, the pickleball kitchen is

• Each side of the net is 7 feet wide.  It is the non-volleyball area here.
• 20 feet wide

The dimensions of a pickleball court are

• 44 ft’ long
• 20 ft’ wide

As a result, you are given a 15-foot play space that is divided into a left and a right side.

What is the non-volleyball zone or pickleball kitchen?

The non-volley area on either side of the net is known as the pickleball kitchen. There is a specific area where volleys are not permitted.

This area is essential because it adds a strategic component and keeps the ball in play for a long time.

When creating a pickleball court, the size of the kitchen must be taken into account because it might impact the game’s tempo and intensity.

Nevertheless, kitchen regulations apply regardless of the size of your kitchen queue.

Kitchen Pickleball Rules

Players new to the sport may find the official pickleball regulations governing the kitchen bewildering.

Tennis players who train to approach the net specifically with the intention of volleying should be especially aware of this. When playing pickleball, it takes some time for this deeply entrenched behavior to disappear.

But only two special circumstances apply to having fun in the kitchen. Once you’ve mastered these two principles, managing the non-volley zone becomes much simpler.

Non-Volley Zone Rules

There are only two main situations on the court where you cannot volley the ball after making a shot.

As follows:

• If you strike the volley while standing in the kitchen or on the kitchen queue.
• If you hit the volley while standing behind the line, yet the force of the impact leads you to step into the kitchen to regain equilibrium.

The pickleball kitchen rules include the following additional requirements for volleying:

• Both feet must be in the following positions when volleying, Outside the kitchen (non-volley zone)
• Both before and after you’ve hit the volley, remain outside the non-volley zone.
• You are not permitted to use your fingers, toes or any other part of your body to touch the non-volley zone or the non-volley line.
• When you are volleying, you are not permitted to contact the non-volley zone or line with your paddle, your clothing, or any of your accessories.
• A ball that is struck immediately after it crosses the net and heads towards the receiving player is referred to as a volley.

What to do in Kitchen Zone

There are many controversies regarding what you can do in the non-volley zone, despite the fact that the rules are very explicit about what you cannot.

Here is a list of some activities you are allowed to do in the kitchen zone.

• After hitting a volley, you are permitted to enter the non-volley zone as long as your momentum does not carry you there.
• As long as you place both of your feet beyond the non-volley zone before making contact with the volley, you are permitted to step through the non-volley zone and volley outside the court.
• The non-volley zone can be crossed by stepping over it or jumping over it to make a volley and land beyond the court.
• As long as you don’t walk into the non-volley zone, you are permitted to volley a ball above it (legally reaching above the non-volley zone without touching it).
• You can enter the kitchen to play a ball that bounces inside the non-volley zone because the regulations only apply to volleys. 
• You may go inside the kitchen right away, without having to wait for the ball to bounce. This is a typical misunderstanding. 
• If you strike it after the bounce, you can enter before it has bounced.
• The non-volley zone is open for as long as you like. No restrictions apply. 
• The only restriction is that you may not hit a volley while in the kitchen, so you’d be wise to leave before your opponent’s next shot is returned.

Conclusion

The Pickleball Non-Volley Zone, also known as the Pickleball Kitchen Size, is the area 7 feet on either side of the net. It is essential for strategic purposes and keeps the ball in play for a long time. 

The size of the kitchen must be considered when building a pickleball court, as it may impact the game’s tempo and intensity. Kitchen regulations apply regardless of the size of the kitchen queue.

There are two main situations where volleys are not allowed: when hitting a volley while standing in the kitchen or on the kitchen queue, or when hitting a volley while standing behind the line. 

Players must be in the non-volley zone, remain outside the zone, and not touch the non-volley zone or line with their paddle, clothing, or accessories. A ball struck immediately after it crosses the net and heads towards the receiving player is referred to as a volley.

There are controversies regarding what can be done in the non-volley zone, but some activities are allowed: after hitting a volley, stepping through the non-volley zone before making contact with the volley, crossing the non-volley zone, volleying a ball above it, and entering the kitchen to play a ball that bounces inside the non-volley zone. 

The non-volley zone is open for as long as you like, with the only restriction being not hitting a volley while in the kitchen.

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