nonvolley

Nonvolley is a term often used in pickleball to refer to the non-volley rule and the associated zone near the net. In typical usage, the nonvolley zone, sometimes called the no-volley zone, is a seven-foot area on each side of the net. The rule prohibits a player from hitting a ball in the air (a volley) while any part of their body or paddle is within this zone. The purpose is to prevent players from executing powerful net rushes and to encourage longer rallies and tecnical play.

Under the rule, a volley must be performed with both feet outside the nonvolley zone, meaning players may not stand inside the zone to volley. If a player volleys while inside the zone, or steps into it and then volleys, the shot is ruled a fault. Players are allowed to enter the zone to reach a ball that has bounced there, but they must let the ball bounce before returning a volley from inside or at the edge of the zone.

The nonvolley rule applies in both singles and doubles play and is a defining element of pickleball strategy. It encourages dinking and poaching around the kitchen while maintaining fair play at the net. The term nonvolley is commonly encountered in rulebooks and coaching discussions, where it is often described using the phrase non-volley zone or no-volley zone.

See also: No-volley zone, Pickleball rules, Dinking.