Pickleball Magazine 2-6 Courtesy of PickleballTournaments | Page 49

THE RULES GURU The Q | A Rules Guru BY CHRISTINE BARKSDALE, USAPA MANAGING DIRECTOR OF COMPETITION Q: My friends and I have always assumed we cannot go into the non-volley zone (NVZ) after hitting a ball outside the NVZ (whether it was on a fly or bounced). We know we cannot hit a ball on the fly and then step into the NVZ, but what happens if the ball bounces outside the NVZ, we hit it, then step into the kitchen on the follow-through? A: It is safe to enter the NVZ after hitting a ball that has bounced inside or outside the NVZ. For the answer, we would reference IFP Rule 9.E. “A player may step on the non-volley line or enter the non- volley zone at any time except when that player is volleying the ball... A player may enter the non-volley zone before or after returning any ball that bounces.” Q: Can the server begin his/ her service motion outside the left or right court imaginary line, then take a step or two into the court area behind the baseline, then strike the ball? A: The short answer is yes. The official reference is IFP Rule 4.B Server Position. “...At the time the ball is struck, at least one foot must be on the playing surface or ground behind the baseline and the server’s feet may not touch the playing surface in an area outside the confines of the serving area. The serving area is defined as the area behind the baseline and on or between the imaginary lines extended from the court centerline and each sideline.”  • Q: We have a few quick players who often move outside the sides of the NVZ line but strike the ball just after it clears the net. Is this permissible or must the ball clear the NVZ before it can be volleyed? A: According to the definition of the NVZ on page 13 of the IFP Rulebook, “...The NVZ is only two- dimensional and does not rise above the court surface.” This means that as long as the players’ feet are outside of the NVZ they can reach in to make a volley. SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS TO [email protected] FOR CONSIDERATION IN AN UPCOMING COLUMN. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | MAGAZINE 47