In partnership with

PICKLEBACKCLUB

Finally serious about losing weight?

Ready to lose weight with a plan that actually works? MedVi provides highly effective GLP-1 treatments, personalized guidance, and everything you need to see real, consistent fat-loss results.

There are no membership fees, nothing confusing, and no insurance required. Just one simple, science-backed program that helps you get healthier each week.

Start today for only $179 and get free shipping.

Take the Assessment

_{Read all warnings before using GLP-ls. Side-effects may include a risk of thyroid c-cell tumors. Do not use GLP-1s if you or your family have a history of thyroid cancer. In certain situations, where clinically appropriate, a provider may prescribe compounded medication, which is prepared by a state-licensed sterile compounding pharmacy partner. Although compounded drugs are permitted to be prescribed under federal law, they are not FDA-approved and do not undergo FDA review for safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing quality.}

Hey Picklebackers! 🏓✨

Everyone knows the kitchen line is where pickleball magic happens. It’s where rallies turn, points end, and momentum shifts. But what separates strong players from truly consistent ones isn’t how fast they sprint forward — it’s when they choose to do it.

Rushing the kitchen at the wrong moment can undo an otherwise solid rally in a heartbeat. Patience, timing, and discipline matter just as much as speed. This week, we’re breaking down how to recognize the green lights to advance — and the red flags that tell you to stay back and reset.

Because in pickleball, the kitchen isn’t taken. It’s earned.

When to Hurry Up to the Kitchen Line — and When to Stay Back
The Picklebackclub Newsletter

If there’s one phrase you hear constantly in pickleball, it’s “Get to the kitchen.” And for good reason. The non-volley zone line is the most dominant position on the court. Points are won there, pressure is applied there, and mistakes are forced there.

But here’s the part that often gets overlooked: getting to the kitchen at the wrong time can be just as costly as never getting there at all. Smart pickleball isn’t about rushing forward blindly — it’s about recognizing when to advance and when patience is the better play.

Let’s break down the decision-making that separates solid players from consistently winning ones.

Why the Kitchen Line Matters So Much

The kitchen line allows you to:

• Take balls earlier and higher

• Hit sharper angles

• Apply constant pressure with dinks and volleys

• Reduce your opponent’s reaction time

Because of this, the team that controls the kitchen usually controls the rally. But control doesn’t come from speed alone — it comes from timing.

When to Hurry Up and Get to the Kitchen Line

1. After a Quality Third Shot Drop (or Drive That Earns a Weak Reply)

The most obvious green light is a well-executed third shot drop that lands in the kitchen or forces your opponents to hit up. If they’re reaching forward, popping the ball up, or hitting from below net height, it’s time to move in.

Key cue:
If your opponents are not set and balanced at the kitchen, you should be advancing.

The same applies to a third shot drive that results in:

• A floating block

• A ball that lands mid-court

• A rushed or off-balance return

In both cases, your shot has earned you the right to move forward.

2. When You’ve Forced a High or Neutral Ball

Not every approach happens on the third shot. Sometimes rallies evolve. If you’re at the baseline or transition zone and hit a shot that:

• Pushes opponents deep

• Forces a defensive dink

• Produces a ball above net height

That’s your invitation forward. Move with purpose, split step, and be ready.

Advancing after you’ve created neutral or advantageous positioning keeps pressure on your opponents and prevents them from resetting the point.

3. When Moving Together With Your Partner

One of the most underrated concepts in pickleball is moving as a unit. If your partner advances and you stay back, gaps open and confusion follows.

If your partner has earned their way to the kitchen:

• Move with them

• Maintain side-by-side spacing

• Close the middle

Even if the ball hasn’t been perfect, moving together is often better than leaving one player stranded.

4. After Opponents Are Pushed Wide or Off Balance

When your opponents are stretched laterally or scrambling to recover, they’re less likely to hit an aggressive passing shot. This is a great moment to close the distance.

Think of it this way:
If they’re focused on survival, you should be focused on advancement.

Easy setup, easy money

Your time is better spent creating content, not managing ad campaigns. Google AdSense's automatic ad placement and optimization handles the heavy lifting for you, ensuring the highest-paying, most relevant ads appear on your site.

Earn with Google AdSense

When It’s Smarter to Stay Back

1. After a High, Attackable Ball

This is the most common mistake players make — rushing forward after a bad drop.

If your shot sits up:

• Above net height

• Too deep in the kitchen

• Or lands mid-court

Charging the net is asking to get passed, body-bagged, or forced into an awkward half-volley.

Rule of thumb:
If your opponent can attack downward, you should not be moving forward.

2. When You’re Stuck in the “No Man’s Land” Trap

The transition zone (that area between the baseline and kitchen) is the most dangerous place on the court. Hanging out there without purpose is a recipe for pop-ups.

If you can’t:

• Volley confidently

• Block with control

• Or move forward safely

It’s often better to reset the point from deeper rather than inch forward and get punished.

3. Against Strong Drivers and Speed-Up Players

Some opponents thrive on passing shots and speed-ups. Against them, rushing the kitchen without setting the point can backfire.

If opponents are:

• Crushing drives

• Speeding up aggressively

• Passing consistently

Take an extra shot or two to neutralize them with depth and shape before advancing.

4. When Your Partner Is Clearly Stuck Back

As tempting as it is to sprint forward solo, doing so can leave massive open lanes. Unless you’ve clearly won the point, staying back and maintaining balance may be the smarter play.

Pickleball rewards discipline over impatience.

The Big Picture: Earn the Kitchen

The best players don’t rush the kitchen — they earn it.

They understand that:

• Advancing is a consequence of quality shots

• Patience creates opportunities

• Timing beats speed

At higher levels, the kitchen isn’t taken — it’s granted by your opponent’s mistakes.

@pickleballwithtyler

Never Stay Back At Baseline After Return! #pickleball

The kitchen line will always be the most powerful spot on the court — but only if you arrive there on your terms.

When you learn to wait for the right ball, move with your partner, and advance with intention, the game slows down. Errors drop. Pressure rises. And suddenly, you’re not reacting — you’re controlling the point.

Next time you play, resist the urge to rush. Let your shots do the work. Earn the kitchen, and let your opponents make the mistake.

See you at the line. 🏓

Compare Car Insurance Rates in Minutes

Stop overpaying for car insurance. Compare.com lets you check real quotes from top carriers in minutes—fast, simple, and free. See personalized rates side by side and find the best price for your coverage needs today.

Secure Your Savings

_{This is an advertisement. You are receiving this message because you opted-in to receive emails from a third-party publisher. This email was delivered by a third-party, on behalf of Compare.com. To stop receiving email advertisements from Compare.com affiliates please click here or write to us at 201 Broadway, 6th Floor, Cambridge MA 02139.}

Dill-lighfully yours,
Your PICKLEBACKCLUB Team 🥒🎾

_{Check out our previous posts…}