Pickleball

Quick answer: the "kitchen" is the 2.1m (7ft) non-volley zone on each side of the net. You cannot hit the ball out of the air (volley it) while standing in or touching this zone, or if your momentum carries you into it straight after the volley. You can stand in the kitchen at any other time — you just can't volley from it. Where is the kitchen on a pickleball court The non-volley zone runs the full width of the court, extending 2.1m back from the net on both sides. The line itself counts as part of the kitchen, so if any part of your foot, paddle or body touches the line while volleying, it's a fault — even if the rest of you is outside the zone. What actually counts as a violation A kitchen violation happens when a player volleys the ball while touching the zone, or when momentum from the volley carries them into the zone afterward, even if they haven't hit anything else. It's also a fault if your paddle touches the kitchen during a volley, even if your feet are clear. Standing in the kitchen and letting the ball bounce before hitting it, however, is completely legal. Common beginner mistakes The most frequent error is stepping forward to smash a volley and carrying that momentum over the line — it's an easy habit to bring over from tennis, where there's no such restriction. Another common mistake is not realising that touching the line itself, not just being inside the zone, counts as a fault. Why the rule exists The kitchen rule stops players from camping at the net and smashing every ball down, which would make the game far less balanced and far more about height and reach than strategy. It forces rallies to build through soft, controlled shots (known as "dinking") before anyone can attack, which is a big part of what makes pickleball different from tennis or padel. Tips for playing safely near the line Get in the habit of checking your feet before you volley, especially after moving forward during a rally. If you're not sure whether you're clear of the line, it's usually safer to let the ball bounce and play a groundstroke instead of risking a volley. With practice, judging the kitchen line becomes automatic. Shop this guide at Central Tennis All in stock now, with expert stringing and racket fitting available in store. AIXO CP03 Ghost Lucky Cat T700 Carbon Pickleball Paddle from £30.00 AIXO CP03 Ghost Prism Break T700 Carbon Pickleball Paddle from £40.00 Head Tour 40 Pickleballs 3 Pcs - Yellow from £10.00 Browse more: Pickleball · Aixo pickleball paddles · Grips and overgrips Not sure what suits your game? Talk to our team — we fit, string and demo rackets every day.

Quick answer: the biggest change under the 2026 rulebook is rally scoring on the return of serve — whoever wins the rally wins the point, even if they were receiving. Serve requirements are also tighter (the paddle head must stay clearly below the wrist, with contact below the waist), and kitchen-line foot faults are being called more strictly at sanctioned events. What actually changed for 2026 The 2026 rulebook, aligned with the official Pickleball England rulebook, brings in provisional rally-scoring trials at some sanctioned events: if you win the rally, you win the point, whether you were serving or receiving. This is a significant shift from the traditional side-out scoring most club players still use, so check which format your local venue or league is running before you turn up. Serve rules under the microscope The serve must be underhand, with the paddle moving in an upward arc as you strike the ball — no tennis-style overhead serves. Contact has to be below the waist, and officials are now looking closely at paddle position: the head of the paddle must be clearly below your wrist at the point of contact. It's a small technical detail but one that's increasingly called at competitive level. Kitchen line clarifications The non-volley zone rule itself hasn't changed, but enforcement has tightened. Momentum carrying a player into the kitchen after a volley, even without the paddle touching the zone, is now more consistently called as a fault. If you're used to relaxed club rules, expect referees at graded events to be stricter. What this means for casual players If you play socially or in a club league, most of these changes won't affect your game much yet — side-out scoring is still standard outside of trial events. It's worth knowing the changes exist, though, especially if you're moving up into more competitive or graded play where the updated rules are being trialled. Getting the right kit for how you play Whichever ruleset you're playing under, a paddle that suits your level matters more than chasing the latest spec. Beginners should prioritise a forgiving, mid-weight paddle with a larger sweet spot, while more competitive players may want a stiffer face for extra pop as the rules around fast play continue to evolve. Shop this guide at Central Tennis All in stock now, with expert stringing and racket fitting available in store. AIXO CP03 Ghost Lucky Cat T700 Carbon Pickleball Paddle from £30.00 AIXO CP03 Ghost Prism Break T700 Carbon Pickleball Paddle from £40.00 Aixo P14C Reaper Series Tiger King 18K Raw Carbon Pickleball Paddle from £70.00 Browse more: Pickleball · Aixo pickleball paddles · Grips and overgrips Not sure what suits your game? Talk to our team — we fit, string and demo rackets every day.

Quick answer: for most new players, a mid-weight paddle (7.3-8.0oz) with a polymer core and a slightly larger sweet spot gives the best balance of control and forgiveness. Weight and grip size matter more day-to-day than brand or price. Weight: the single biggest factor Lighter paddles (under 7.3oz) are easier to manoeuvre at the net and gentler on the arm, but give up some power. Heavier paddles (8.0oz+) hit harder with less swing effort but are slower to reset on fast exchanges. Most beginners do best in the middle, around 7.5-7.8oz. Core material Polymer cores are the current standard — quiet, forgiving, and durable. Nomex cores are louder and more powerful but harsher on off-centre hits, and aluminium cores sit between the two. Unless you already know you want extra pop, polymer is the safer starting point. Face material Fibreglass faces are more powerful and cheaper; carbon fibre faces give more control and spin and are grippier for spin-friendly play, but usually cost more. Carbon fibre is the more popular choice for players who plan to stick with the sport. Grip size and shape A grip that's too big restricts wrist snap and spin; too small causes over-gripping and arm fatigue. Most adult players fall in the 4 to 4.25 inch range — if between sizes, size down and add an overgrip. Our recommendation New players should look for: mid-weight (7.5-7.8oz), polymer core, and a grip that feels comfortable without excessive squeezing. Get comfortable with the fundamentals before chasing a lighter, more control-oriented or heavier, more powerful paddle suited to your developing style. Shop this guide at Central Tennis All in stock now, with expert stringing and racket fitting available in store. AIXO CP03 Ghost Lucky Cat T700 Carbon Pickleball Paddle from £30.00 AIXO CP03 Ghost Prism Break T700 Carbon Pickleball Paddle from £40.00 AIXO P11A Scorpion Supernature 3K Raw Carbon Pickleball Paddle from £45.00 Browse more: Pickleball · Aixo pickleball paddles · Grips and overgrips Not sure what suits your game? Talk to our team — we fit, string and demo rackets every day.