With the growth of popularity of pickleball in the U.S., especially among seniors, it’s prudent to understand some of the basic rules.
This way it will be much easier to play, understand, and make good decisions regarding the game in the longer run.
This article will help you to understand the non volley zone in Pickleball.
What Is The Non Volley Zone In Pickleball?
Some courts have an area called the non-volley zone, which is a 7-foot wide area surrounding the service line. In addition, there are other restricted areas such as the baseline, sidelines, and the net.
There are clearly defined white lines around the court that define the boundaries of the kitchen zone. These lines were designed to prevent players from smashing the ball over the line.
Understanding The Non Volley Zone
The non volley zone is a place where you are allowed to stand when serving and receiving. This is an important part of the game because if you are out of position your opponent could easily get a point.
Players should avoid stepping on the kitchen line or crossing over it. A player who steps on the kitchen line or crosses over it could get hurt.
If you reach for a low-ball and your paddle happens to scrape on the court surface before or after striking the ball, you commit a kitchen fault.
If your hat or other personal items fall off when hitting a volley, and land in the kitchen, then even though the ball is declared dead, you still commit a kitchen fault.
You should be standing on the baseline when serving.
Volley and follow-through are both faults. You must hit the ball in response or else you lose your turn.
What Does Volley Mean? A Volleying Definition
Volleys are strikes taken out of the air. Groundstrokes are shots taken after the ball has bounced once.
A volley is when you hit the ball before it bounces. Groundstrokes are hits after the ball bounces.
Volleys are usually thrown by a player standing behind the baseline. Groundstrokes are usually thrown by players standing near the net.
Volleying is an important part of the game because it allows players to move quickly and play higher shots.
No Volleys In The Non Volley Zone
You can volley the ball inside the non-volley zone, but you can’t volley the ball outside the non-volley-zone.
In a tournament, referees will call foot faults when players make contact with the non-volley zones.
You can make contact with the non-volley zone by stepping on or standing in the non-volley line during the act of hitting the volley.
This includes stepping or standing on the non-volley lines. You can also make contact with someone or something that is touching the non-volley zones by making contact with them.
Dropping your paddle, hat, or sunglasses into the non-volley zone during the act of hitting the volley is considered an illegal stroke. A player who does this may be penalized by being given a warning.
Players should never touch the non-volley line with their paddle.
You’re allowed to use your momentum to help you move forward. But once you’ve entered the non-volley zone, you must stop using your momentum to get back out.
What Is Permitted In The Non Volley Zone?
You must be allowed to volley the pickleball when hitting a ball. Volleying the pickleball is legal if the ball is hit out of the non-volley zone.
Volleys Outside Of The Non Volley Zone
Volleys are allowed anywhere on the pickleball court except in the non-volley zone. If you do strike a volley in the non-volley zone, you would commit a fault.
There can be some close calls about whether a player touches the non-volley zone line. If a player’s shoes curl up in the front but don’t actually touch the non-volley line, there wouldn’t be a fault.
But if a player’s shoes are very close to touching the non-volley line, then a referee may call a foot fault.
Pickleballs that bounce in the non-volley zone are legal.
How To Reestablish Outside Of The Non Volley Zone – Jumping Is Not Enough
Before he or she hits a volley, a pickleball player must reestablish both of his or her feet on the ground outside of the non-volley zone.
Otherwise, the pickleball player commits a foul by hitting the ball out of the air.
A pickleball player who stands in the non-volley zone jumps to hit a volley but does not re-establish his or her feet on the surface of the pickleball court before hitting the volley, commits a fault.
You may jump into the air over the non volley zone – without touching the court surface – to volley a pickleball.
This shot would be known as an erne.
Serves May Not Land In The Non Volley Zone Or On The Non Volley Zone Line
A pickleball may not be thrown into the non-volley zone. If it does, then the player who serves the ball would commit a fault.
But if the pickleball hits another line, such as the baseline, sideline, centerline, etc., then the server would not commit a fault.
What Is The Kitchen In Pickleball?
The kitchen is the non-volley zone. Non-volley zone is the area within which players are not allowed to strike the balls without them first bouncing.
Pickleball players should avoid hitting volleys in the kitchen because they could cause faults. Volleying in the kitchen results in a fault. Players who hit volleys without backing up might get a fault and lose points.
Kitchen Rules
You can’t volley while standing in the non-volley zone or touching the kitchen line.
A fault occurs when something the player wears touches the non-volley line. In this case, the player must execute another volley.
A fault will be called when a player hits a volley while in the Kitchen.
You can stand in the non-volley zone as long as you don’t hit a volley. Once you hit a volley, you must leave the non-volley area.
You must establish both your feet outside the non-volley zone before you can volley the ball.
Kitchen Rules And Momentum
Volleys must be played within the boundaries of the court. Players may not touch the net during the act of volleying.
Volleys are allowed if both players are out of the non-volley zone. Players may not be held back by their partners.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article has helped you to understand the non-volley zone in Pickleball!