Beginner
Volley
A volley is any shot hit out of the air before the ball bounces. In pickleball it must be struck while standing outside the kitchen.
Volleys keep pressure on opponents by taking time away, but the non-volley-zone rule restricts where they can be hit. A compact punch volley with a firm wrist and minimal backswing is the technique; long swings produce errors at close range. Volleying is also fundamental in tennis and padel, with the same air-before-bounce meaning.
Example
Standing just behind the kitchen line, a player punches a firm volley at the opponent’s feet.
Related terms
- Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)The kitchen is the 7-foot non-volley zone on each side of the net. You may not hit a volley (a ball out of the air) while standing in it — you must let the ball bounce first.
- ResetA reset is a soft, absorbing shot that takes pace off a hard-driven ball and drops it into the kitchen, neutralizing an attack and restoring a neutral rally.
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