The rules of the pickleball non-volley zone, also known as the pickleball kitchen or NVZ, says that all volleys must be initiated outside the non-volley zone.
What is a volley in pickleball? (Rule 3.A.46.)
- A pickleball volley is hitting the ball out of the air without allowing it to bounce first.
- The act of volleying the ball includes the swing, the follow-through, and the momentum from the action (Rule 9.B.1.).
Basic rules of the pickleball kitchen (Rule 9)
- It is at fault if the volleying player, or anything that has contact with the volleying player while in the act of volleying, touches the non-volley zone (Rule 9.B.), including:
- Your pickleball paddle.
- Your partner.
- Your clothing.
- The kitchen line is considered a part of the kitchen (Rule 2.B.3.).
- If the pickleball paddle touches the pickleball kitchen during the volley motion, before or after contacting the ball, it is a fault (Rule 9.B.2.).
- If a player touches the non-volley zone for any reason, the player cannot volley a return until both feet have made contact with the playing surface completely outside of the pickleball kitchen (Rule 9.D.).
- A player may enter the kitchen at any time, including including before and after returning any ball that bounces — except when volleying the ball (Rule 9.E.).
- A player may stay inside the non-volley zone to return a ball that has bounced (Rule 9.G.).
- There is no violation if a player does not exit the non-volley zone after hitting a ball that bounces (Rule 9.G.).
- There is also no violation if a player returns the ball while their partner is standing in the non-volley zone (Rule 9.H.).
Pickleball momentum rule (Rule 9.C.)
- During the act of volleying, it is a fault if the volleying player's momentum causes them to contact the kitchen or anything that is touching the kitchen, including the player’s partner (Rule 9.C.).
- There is no end time to the momentum rule (Rule 9.C.1.), meaning: if you volley a ball and your momentum causes you to hover over the NVZ and you eventually fall in, even if it’s minutes later, it is still a fault. This includes:
- If the ball is returned by your opponent.
- If a rally ends or a point is scored.
- If the ball is called dead.
- If the game ends.
Wheelchair pickleball non-volley zone rules (Rule 9)
- For players using wheelchairs, the front smaller wheels may touch the non-volley zone during a volley (Rule 9.A.).
- If the rear wheels of a wheelchair have touched the kitchen or kitchen line for any reason, the player using a wheelchair cannot volley a return until both rear wheels have made contact with the playing surfaces outside the non-volley zone (Rule 9.D.).
If you would like to learn more details about these rules refer to the official rulebook at USAPickleball.org.
Maddie Toren is a pro pickleball official and the first-ever teen-certified referee. This is Episode 5 of “10 Rules All Beginner Pickleball Players Should Know: Part 1.”