Categories: Kitchens

What Are the Pickleball Kitchen Rules?

Published by
James marcus

If you’re new to pickleball, you’re going to have questions about the pickleball kitchen rules. Pickleball used to be considered a sport for the retired. Now, rightfully so, it’s a sport for anyone looking for a good time! If you haven’t tried it before, you’re doing yourself a disservice. If you have, which is probably why you’re here, you’ve seen the light and want to know more about what it means to be “in the kitchen.” Well, grab your oven mitt and join us as we break down everything you need to know about the kitchen in pickleball.

A Breakdown of the Pickleball Kitchen Rules

1. Pickleball Kitchen Rules1.1. What You Can’t Do1.2. What You Can Do2. What Else Should You Consider for Pickleball?3. Prescription Pickleball Glasses at SportRx

Pickleball Kitchen Rules

We’re going to talk about the do’s and don’ts of the No-Volley Zone (NVZ), more popularly known as ‘the kitchen’. The kitchen is one of the first things you’re likely to hear about when you’re new to the sport because the pickleball kitchen rules are the easiest to break as a beginner. The kitchen is also a unique element in the world of racket sports. Something important to note which is a source of confusion: the pickleball kitchen is only the 2D space that is the ground; it does not include the air above it. Pickleball kitchen rules exist to prevent players from posting up at the net and slamming the ball over it. As straightforward as it may seem, there are many questions about the rules of the kitchen. It’s time we break them down so you’re never caught off guard on the court!

You Can’t:

  • Volley (hit the ball in the air before it bounces) while touching any part of the kitchen. That’s why it’s officially called the no-volley zone.
  • Allow any part of your body, including what you’re wearing or holding, to touch the kitchen during or after a volley. This may sound like the rule above, but there is a distinction. Note, these rules only apply to the player actively volleying:
    • Momentum carrying you into the kitchen after hitting a volley results in a fault.
    • Stepping on or over the line of the kitchen as you volley results in a fault.
    • Any part of your body touching the kitchen results in a fault. Even if it’s just your pinky grazing the surface of the zone while hitting the ball!
    • Any item on you, even your paddle, touching the kitchen during or after a volley results in a fault. This includes dragging your jacket sleeve or dropping your paddle, even if it was accidentally knocked out of your hand by your partner. This even includes dropping any item of clothing like a hat or your perfect pair of pickleball sunglasses into the kitchen during or after a volley!
    • Touching your partner – even to keep yourself from stumbling or falling into the kitchen – while they are in the kitchen during or after a volley results in a fault.
    • Placing a hand or even your paddle down into the kitchen to keep you from falling over after a volley results in a fault.
    • Touching the kitchen after a volley, even after the ball is dead results in a fault. For example, if you volley and your momentum carries you into the kitchen before you hit the ball again, it’s a fault. This is the case even if the ball has gone back and forth over the net and then goes out of bounds.
    • When any part of the body makes contact with the kitchen before a volley, the player needs to make contact outside of the kitchen with both feet or the result is a fault.

You Can:

  • Stand in the kitchen whenever you like and for as long as you like, as long as you’re not volleying!
  • Volley through the airspace above the kitchen.
  • Volley after leaving the kitchen and making contact outside of the kitchen with both feet.
  • Volley while your teammate is in the kitchen, as long as there is not contact made with your teammate.
  • Hit from the kitchen if the ball first bounces on your side.

What Else Should You Consider for Pickleball?

With the right pair of sunglasses, you can make sure you never lose track of the kitchen. Now that you’ve learned the particulars about the pickleball kitchen rules, make sure you don’t have the wrong pair of sunglasses. You don’t want to worry about your glasses falling into the kitchen when you start playing so hard!

What to look for in the right pair is something lightweight, durable, and with grip that won’t fail once you start to sweat. Lightweight frames won’t slow you down or slide down your nose compared to heavier frames. A durable frame stands up to impact from the ball or your teammate’s errant paddle. Proper grip keeps them securely on your face no matter how hard you’re running or how much you sweat. A wraparound design will give you the best coverage and visibility, but an athleisure pair is also a great option if you’re looking for a less sporty aesthetic.

When it comes to lenses, look for colors that boost contrast so you can easily spot and track the ball. This means either a brown or rose copper lens color. You can also get a mirror coating to help block more light transmission & give your lenses more personality! If you’re looking for something that offers more flexibility, a Transitions lens is a great pick. It’s best to avoid polarized lenses because they can affect depth perception. At SportRx, we offer lenses tailor-made by our opticians called Sport Optimized lenses. Great Sport Optimized lenses for pickleball would be the Over It lens for variable conditions use or the Start to Finish for a darker, solid tint for bright conditions.

For more information on what to look for in pickleball sunglasses, check out our Pickleball Eyewear Buyer’s Guide. And if you’re ready to start looking for frames, check out our blog on the Best Prescription Pickleball Sunglasses and Best Pickleball Safety Glasses.

Prescription Pickleball Glasses at SportRx

Need prescription pickleball sunglasses so you can up your dinking game? Done. When you shop with us, you’ll find video guides and tool tips throughout the build process as you customize the perfect pair. The answers to all your questions are at your fingertips, and if you want to chat with an expert, contact us. We’ll put you in touch with one of our friendly Sports Opticians, who can help you build your prescription pickleball eyewear.

Ditch risky online shopping with our See Better Guarantee. Try your pickleball sunglasses for 45 days and if you’re not satisfied, send them back. Get a full refund, exchange, or credit towards a better pair. And return shipping? Covered. Get your pair of prescription pickleball sunglasses at SportRx today!

James marcus

Garden Courte is a blog written by [James Marcus], a passionate gardener and writer. She has been gardening for over 20 years and has a deep understanding of plants and how to care for them. In her blog, she shares her knowledge and experience with others, providing tips and advice on gardening, plant care, and more.

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Published by
James marcus

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