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.
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 |
MAGAZINE
47