The Kitchen Is Not Just For Cooking
The non-volley zone, affectionately known as “the kitchen,” is where pickleball games are won and lost. It’s also where friendships are tested and egos are shattered. Welcome to the most important 14 feet on any court.
If you’re new to pickleball, here’s the deal: the kitchen is a 7-foot zone on each side of the net where you cannot volley the ball. Step in there and swat it out of the air? That’s a fault. Your opponent gets the point. Your partner gives you The Look.
Why the Kitchen Matters
The kitchen forces patience. In a sport that rewards quick reflexes and aggressive play, having a no-volley zone is like putting a speed bump in front of a drag strip. It’s what separates pickleball from tennis and what makes the dink game so crucial.
The Art of the Dink
A dink is a soft shot that arcs over the net and lands in your opponent’s kitchen. It’s not flashy. It won’t make highlight reels. But it wins games. The best dinkers in the world can keep a rally going for 30, even 40 shots, waiting for their opponent to make a mistake or pop one up.
Three Kitchen Commandments
- Thou shalt be patient. The kitchen is not the place for heroes. Wait for the right ball before attacking.
- Thou shalt keep thy feet behind the line. This includes your momentum. If you volley and momentum carries you in, that’s a fault.
- Thou shalt practice thy dinks. Spend 15 minutes every session just dinking. Your future tournament self will thank you.
Master the kitchen, and you don’t just become a better player. You become a dinker. And around here, that’s the highest compliment.
