Whether you’re new to pickleball or just eager to learn pickleball rules, you’ve definitely heard about the NVZ - which stands for Non-Volley Zone.

The Non-Volley Zone—aka The The Kitchen—is one of the most important (and misunderstood) parts of the game. Master it, and you will be one step closer to improving your pickleball ratings. 

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What Is the Non-Volley Zone?

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The Non-Volley Zone (NVZ)—better known as the kitchen—is the 7-foot area on both sides of the net.

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Let’s be clear: It’s totally legal to stand in the kitchen—just not while hitting a volley, or if your momentum carries you into it after a volley.

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Thinking about hitting an Erne or attacking up at the net?

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Know the rules first—or risk giving up free points.

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Because when it comes to your DUPR pickleball ratings, every point counts.

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Why Is the NVZ Called "The Kitchen"?

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There’s no definitive origin story for why it’s called “the kitchen” in pickleball, but the most widely accepted theory links it to shuffleboard. In shuffleboard, the “kitchen” is a penalty zone—land there, and you lose 10 points. While the rules are different, the concept is similar: it’s a restricted space where bad positioning can cost you. In pickleball, stepping into the kitchen at the wrong time—especially during a volley—results in a fault. (Thankfully, it’s just one point, not ten.)

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The nickname isn’t officially documented, but it’s stuck—and for good reason. If you’re serious about your game (and your DUPR rating), you’ll learn to respect the kitchen.

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The Importance of the NVZ in Pickleball Tournaments

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Mastering your footwork around the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) is essential—especially in tournament play, where the pace is faster and margins are tight.

High-level players don’t avoid the kitchen—they use it. The NVZ becomes a tool to slow the game down, control tempo, reset points, and bait opponents into making mistakes.

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🏓 Key NVZ Tips:

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• Stay low and balanced—good footwork = fewer pop-ups
  
  
• Dink with purpose, not just to keep the rally going
  
  
• Use angles to pull your opponent wide and open up the court
  
  
• Know when to reset vs. attack—timing is everything

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🎥 Check out Bobbi Oshiro’s tips on using the NVZ effectively in singles play.

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NVZ Rules You Must Know

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Here are some core pickleball rules regarding the NVZ:

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• No volleying while touching the NVZ line: Your feet must be behind the line if you want to hit a volley.

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• Momentum counts: Even if you hit the volley outside the NVZ, if your momentum carries you into the zone afterward, it's a fault.

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• Dinking is legal: You can hit the ball inside the kitchen if it has bounced first. This opens up one of the most strategic plays in pickleball—the dink.
  
  

NVZ Strategy

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Players who use the NVZ effectively tend to:

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• Extend rallies
  
  
• Reduce unforced errors
  
  
• Win more dink battles
  
  
• Perform better in competitive environments

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Whether you call it the Non-Volley Zone or the kitchen, mastering this space is vital for players looking to excel in pickleball. From casual play to competitive pickleball tournaments, understanding how to move, position, and strike in relation to the NVZ can give you a strategic edge.

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Want to raise your pickleball rating? Start by mastering the NVZ—and let the numbers speak for themselves.

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