The Hardest Pickleball Rule for Tennis Players to Understand
Why This Rule Is Challenging
In tennis, players are encouraged to rush the net and volley aggressively.
In pickleball, volleying while touching the kitchen (or the kitchen line) is a fault.
Key Points That Create Confusion
No volleys in the kitchen
If any part of your foot touches the kitchen or its line during a volley, it’s a fault.
Momentum still counts
If you hit a volley and your momentum carries you into the kitchen afterward — even one step — it’s still a fault.
You can enter the kitchen only after a bounce
You may step into the kitchen to hit a ball that has already bounced, but you must exit before volleying again.
Tennis Habits That Interfere
Tennis players rely on fast forward movement and instinctively charge the net after hitting a volley.
In pickleball, this movement is punished — meaning patience, balance, and controlled footwork are far more important than in tennis.
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