Pickleball Court Dimensions

The non-volley zone (NVZ), universally called "the kitchen," is the 7-foot area on both sides of the net. You may not volley the ball (hit it in the air without letting it bounce) while standing inside the kitchen or on any of its lines.

You CAN enter the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced inside it. After playing the shot, you must reestablish both feet outside the kitchen before volleying again. You also cannot carry momentum from a volley into the kitchen; even if your body enters the kitchen after the ball is dead, it is a fault if your momentum was generated by the volley swing.

The kitchen is the defining feature that separates pickleball from tennis and badminton. It forces most play to be decided at the net through soft dinking exchanges rather than hard drives and volleys, creating the strategic depth that makes the game unique.

You can set up a temporary pickleball court on any flat hard surface, including a driveway, parking lot, or gymnasium floor. Here is what you need:

• A flat, hard surface at least 30 x 60 feet (recommended playing area including safety zones)
• A portable pickleball net system (sets typically cost $80-$200)
• Court boundary tape or chalk to mark lines
• Optional: a tape measure and corner markers to ensure accurate dimensions

Start by marking the 20 x 44-foot boundary. Then mark the kitchen lines 7 feet from each side of the net. Add a centerline from the kitchen line to the baseline on each side. The net posts should be positioned 22 feet apart, centered on the width of the court.

For driveway courts, blue painter's tape is gentle on concrete and comes up cleanly. For gym floors, use approved court tape rated for hardwood surfaces.