Entering the kitchen from your volley's momentum is a fault

After you volley, if your body's momentum carries you into the non-volley zone (kitchen), it is a fault. It is still a fault even after the ball has landed in the opponents' court and the rally is over (a dead ball) (11.A.2).

Examples

• After volleying, you lose your balance and step on the non-volley zone line (kitchen line) → fault (3.A.4.c, 11.A.2)
• After volleying, your paddle or hat falls into the kitchen → fault (11.A.1, 10.J)
• After volleying, you stop yourself by grabbing your partner, who is in the kitchen → fault (11.A.2)
• You jump from outside the kitchen, volley, and land inside the kitchen → fault (11.A.1, 11.A.2)

How long does "momentum" last?

The act of volleying continues until the momentum from your hit is gone (definitions in Section 2). The momentum is considered gone when either of these happens (definitions in Section 2):

• You get your balance back and are in control of your movement
• Your movement toward the kitchen has stopped

After that, you may enter the kitchen (11.A).

Why is it a fault even after the ball is dead?

Normally, a fault can only happen while the ball is in play. Entering the kitchen from momentum is the exception (9.B.1).

Common questions

Q. After a volley, what if my foot steps on the kitchen line? What if I step over it and my foot lands inside the kitchen?

Both are a fault (11.A.2). The kitchen line is part of the kitchen, so just stepping on it counts as entering the kitchen (3.A.4.c). This is the same even after the ball has landed in the opponents' court and the rally is over (9.B.1, 11.A.2). Once your momentum has stopped, you may enter the kitchen (definitions in Section 2, 11.A).