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 clothing.
Your pickleball paddle.
Your partner.
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.”
