what is a volley in pickleball?

A volley in pickleball is a shot where you hit the ball out of the air before it bounces on your side of the court. It’s most often played near the non-volley zone (the “kitchen”) line and is key for fast, back-and-forth exchanges at the net.

Quick Scoop

• A volley = striking the ball in mid-air before it touches the ground on your side.

• It’s usually hit close to the net, with your feet behind the non-volley zone line unless the ball has bounced first.

• Volleys let you take time away from your opponent, control the pace, and apply pressure during rallies.

• Common forms include soft “block” volleys for control and firmer “punch” volleys to finish points.

Simple example

Imagine you’re standing at the kitchen line and your opponent sends a ball that’s still high enough before bouncing—if you reach out and hit it in the air back over the net, that’s a volley.

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Learn what a volley is in pickleball, how it works near the non-volley zone, and why this in-the-air shot is so important for controlling fast exchanges at the net.

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