Kitchen rules: the non-volley zone in detail

The non-volley zone (NVZ), or kitchen, is the area beside the net on each side where a player may not volley. In the 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook its rules are Section 11, "Non-Volley Zone Infractions"; in the 2025 edition they were Section 9. Rule numbers here follow the 2026 rulebook, and the official text always wins.

Key definitions

Non-volley zone

The 7-foot by 20-foot area on each side of the net where volleying is not allowed. Every line bounding it, including the kitchen line and the sideline segments beside it, is part of the zone. The zone is two-dimensional: it does not extend into the air above the court (Rule 3.A.4.c).

Volley

Any strike of the ball before it bounces.

Act of volleying

Starts when the ball is hit out of the air and ends when the follow-through movement stops (Rule 9.B.1 in 2025; a definition in 2026).

Momentum

The motion that keeps a player moving after contacting the ball. The rulebook says it ends when the player regains balance and control of their motion, or stops moving toward the NVZ.

Playing surface

The court plus the surrounding area designated for play, including the area outside the sidelines.

The rules in one table

1. Fault Toe on the kitchen line while volleying. The line is part of the zone (11.A.1, 3.A.4.c).
2. Fault Volley from behind the line, then momentum carries the player into the zone, even after the ball is dead (11.A.2, 9.B.1).
3. Legal Standing in the kitchen and hitting a ball after it has bounced (11.A).
4. Legal Erne: a volley from outside the sideline with both feet outside the NVZ (11.A, 11.A.3). The dotted white route around the corner never touches the zone.
5. Legal Around the post: a return that travels outside the net post rather than over the net (13.C).
6. Legal Feet behind the line, paddle reaching over the zone to volley. The zone doesn't extend upward (3.A.4.c); momentum still must not carry the player in (11.A.2).

Momentum: how a call is decided

Most kitchen disputes are momentum disputes. Work through the rules in this order:

1. Was it a volley? If the ball bounced first, there is no NVZ restriction and the player may be anywhere in the kitchen (11.A).
2. Where did the volley start? If the player, or anything touching them, was in contact with the zone at the moment of the volley, it is a fault under 11.A.1.
3. Is the act of volleying over? Not until momentum ends: balance and control regained, or no more movement toward the zone.
4. Did the player touch the zone before that point? A step, a fall or a stumble into a partner standing in the kitchen is a fault (11.A.2), even if the ball is already dead (9.B.1).
5. Who may call it? Only an opponent may call an NVZ fault in play without a referee (9.B.3).

Scenario boxes

Edge cases: the Erne and around-the-post shots

The Erne

"Erne" is a player term, not a rulebook term. Wikipedia's pickleball glossary defines it as a volley near the net by a player positioned outside the court or leaping outside it. Three rules decide whether one is legal:

• The NVZ is bounded by the sidelines. The area outside a sideline is playing surface, so a volley started there is started outside the zone (3.A.4.c, 11.A).
• The sideline segments beside the kitchen belong to the zone. Stepping on them, or through the kitchen, on the way to the Erne position means both feet must land outside before the volley (11.A.3).
• The player must not touch the opponents' end of the court while the ball is live (13.H), and may cross the plane of the net only after hitting the ball, as part of that stroke (13.I.1).

Around the post (ATP)

Rule 13.C allows a ball to be returned around the outside of the net post; hitting it between the net and the post is a fault (13.D.1). The glossary notes the path may be above or below net height. An ATP is usually hit off a wide ball that has bounced, so running through the kitchen to reach it breaks no NVZ rule: Section 11 restricts only volleys.

2025 vs. 2026 numbering

The 2026 rulebook also adds wheelchair and adaptive standing rules (25.A.10, 25.B.2) applying the same contact and momentum tests to large rear wheels and assistive devices. Events run by another governing body, such as UPA of America, may use their own rulebook.

Checklist before you volley near the kitchen

• Both feet are on the surface outside the zone, not on the kitchen line or the sideline beside it.
• If you were in the kitchen, both feet have landed outside it again.
• Your partner isn't touching you while either of you is in contact with the zone.
• Your follow-through can stop before the line; if not, let it bounce.

See also the rules summary and the exact court dimensions.