Racket Sports Archives - Page 6 of 6

Confused! When I heard the term "Kitchen" in pickleball for the first time, it confused me a lot! Do the players cook here? Not at all! Why is it called the kitchen in pickleball then? Meanwhile, I started playing pickleball with my friends at a local badminton court. On the very first day, I made an error out of ignorance! Luckily, it happened around the kitchen area. Then, researched as curiosity grew and finally, I am well acquainted with this unusual term and rules of the game by continuing to play pickleball. The kitchen, known as the non-volley zone, is the key area in pickleball. The new players may be hesitant about this, while the smart players can make the most of it using their paddles. Let's Clarify Why Is It Called The Kitchen in Pickleball: It is possible that the term “Kitchen” in pickleball is taken from the shuffleboard game. It has the same area called “10-off” and as a rule, if the pucks land in this location, you lose 10 points. Since pickleball holds the same rule of losing points around this zone, it’s likely that the sport borrows the same word “Kitchen” from shuffleboard. In a nutshell, The Kitchen is the nickname of the Non-volley zone in pickleball. Rules, Faults and Myths Explained: We should begin with the measurement of this zone. Even though I mentioned in another article, recapping with the information is crucial here. “The non- volley zone is seven feet on each side starting from the net.” As we move on to further details about the rules, myths, and faults, we need to have an idea on the following two queries: What is a Volley: A volley is hitting the ball before it bounces on the ground. What is the Non-volley Zone: The non-volley zone is only the flat surface of the zone, not the 3D space or the air above the area. Pickleball Non-Volley Zone Rules: You can make a volley while standing in most of the court, except in two positions. One is when you are standing in the kitchen and second is when you are touching the line of the kitchen. Both your feet must be on the playing surface and outside the non-volley zone before and after you hit a volley. No part of your body (Toe/Finger etc.)can contact the zone or touch the line when you are volleying. And no clothing or accessories can contact the zone when you are volleying. Faults In Pickleball Non-Volley Zone: While you are running into the non-volley zone and make a volley, it’s a fault. And It does not allow you to step into the zone as you hit a volley. It’s a fault if your paddle happens to touch the ground of the non-volley zone as you volley. Also if your paddle is dropped in the zone at the time of volley. You cannot drop snacks, sunglasses, keys or even sports shoes in the non-volley zone at the time of the volley. If you hit your partner’s paddle into the non-volley zone when you volley, it’s a fault. In a doubles game, if you touch your partner who is in the non-volley zone and at the same time you hit a volley, that is a fault. When volleying, you cannot use your other hand to touche the non-volley zone to keep balance. The same fault happens if you use your paddle to keep balance that touches the non-volley zone. If your momentum takes you to the non-volley zone even after the ball is out or dead, it’s a fault. If you were flying up to make a volley from inside the non-volley zone and then landing outside the kitchen area is still a fault. It’s a fault if you are staying on the non-volley zone but pushes you to make a volley and your foot contacts any part of the non-volley zone.If you were flying up to make a volley from inside the non-volley zone and then landing outside the kitchen area is still a fault. What Are Permissible In Non-Volley Zone: If your momentum takes you to the non-volley zone after the ball bounces, then it’s okay to return the ball. At the time of volley, your partner can help you not to enter the zone by grabbing you (in case your momentum was taking you to the zone) if both of you are outside the no volley zone. It’s okay if you can step over the corner of the non-volley zone without touching the non-volley zone. It’s also okay if you step through the kitchen area and make a volley after you reach the corner and outside the surface of the non-volley zone. Myths About Non-Volley Zone: There are some misconceptions or myths about pickleball kitchen areas. Let’s debunk those myths: 1. You cannot step into the kitchen until and before the ball bounces. Clarification: It allows you to step into the kitchen any time before the ball bounces. But it only allows you to make the volley after the ball bounces. 2. You must get out of the kitchen right away (How long can you stay in the non-volley zone?) Clarification: You need not get out of the kitchen right away. You can stay there as long as you want until breaking any rule (until hitting any volley). 3. Only one partner can stay in the kitchen at a time. Clarification: You and your partner both can stay in the kitchen at a time. But the matter is, no one of you can hit a volley until the ball bounces and also no one of you gets hit by the ball. Now let me share two great video tutorials on the above topics: https://youtu.be/xGfLXDTzJck https://youtu.be/QacxhVqHzvY Wrapping Up With Some Jokes: The answer to the question as to why is it called the kitchen in pickleball is still a controversy. People are still making yarns in the Pickleball Forum, and some of them are: “It’s where you shake and bake”! “Cause if you stay in there too long to make cookies, you get burnt”! “Because when somebody goes in there illegally, I always ask for a sandwich”! Funny but meaningful talks! See, people enjoy making jokes about it. According to my research and study, the most reliable source to call it “Kitchen” is from the game of shuffleboard so far. So, let’s stick with that. However, the jokes and the mystery behind the jokes are the only trivia. The more significant aspect of this article is to illuminate the kitchen area's rules, faults, and myths. Let's honor the rules and follow them. While playing, be vigilant about the faults of the kitchen or the non-volley zone. It will certainly keep you ahead in any pickleball play.