When it comes to pickleball, we all know that players can certainly run around the field, but can you jump in pickleball?

Pickleball requires a number of skills, including fluid body movement, quick reflexes, and exceptional hand-eye coordination. With any jump shot in pickleball, it's crucial to avoid touching the non-volley region after the shot has been made because doing so will result in a fault.

Jumping is allowed in pickleball. In order to make the most of an overhead smash or an Erne, you must jump. A player is allowed to jump across the Kitchen zone as long as they don’t touch any portion of that area after hitting a volley.

Jumping could give your pickleball game an additional degree of offensive choices. Pickleball, a racquet sport, allows you to jump in certain situations. However, for the jump to work in your favor, timing is a key factor.

After speaking with various pickleball players and understanding the rules of the game, we have put together this guide to help you learn more about the rules of jumping in pickleball.

Can You Jump In Pickleball?

A ball is volleyed when you strike it in the air without bouncing. The player's feet must always be in the no-volley zone when volleying. A player may hop across the non-volley line provided that they don't touch any portion of the no-volley zone, even the lines after hitting a volley.

A player will be at fault and lose the point if their momentum compels them to step over or on the no-volley line once they hit a volley. A player loses a point if their paddle, attire, hat, or any other part of their body contacts the no-volley zone while they are striking the ball or as a result of their forward momentum after striking the ball.

Jumping in Pickleball

If your suspension still has some spring, use it to move around the pickleball court and catch your opponents off guard with a well-timed jump. It can be challenging to jump and play a shot at the same time, so you might need to practice them a little.

Smash Jumping Overhead

When used correctly, the overhead smash is a pickleball shot that is quite effective and can net you a lot of points. Our favorite way to play this shot is to jump and smash the ball in midair, but you can also play it from a fixed position while sliding backward and changing your body throughout the shot.

Any overhead smash must be performed with the knowledge that no part of your body must touch the kitchen when it comes to a stop or you will lose the point, regardless of how spectacular your shot was.

The Erne Jump

The Erne is a different super-attacking shot used in pickleball. It has been given this name after Erne Perry, who used it to dominate rallies at the 2010 USAPA National Pickleball Tournament in Arizona. The phrase was created by videographer Jeff Shank after seeing Erne's dominance.

During a game, you may opt to execute one of three permitted Erne shots:

• The Around-the-Kitchen Erne Jump is when you round the kitchen (also known as the "No Volley Zone") and set your feet up prior to playing a smash, dink, or volley.
• The Through-The-Court Erne requires you to cross the kitchen area, set up shop outside the No Volley Zone, and then play your shot.
• The Jumping-Across-The-Kitchen Erne includes jumping from outside the kitchen's playing area, playing the ball while in the air, and landing outside the kitchen without touching the Non-Volley Zone.

The ball must be played above your side of the court while playing any Erne shot since you cannot hit it before it crosses the plane of the net. After serving the ball to your side, your racquet may cross the net. It won't be seen as a mistake as long as communication was established on your end.

Pickleball and Jumping

Most pickleball players unknowingly have a small natural leap in their game on average. A natural jump occurs as you get ready for a shot to get your body and feet ready to return a ball.

When the opportunity arises, some players choose to jump and volley; a high floating ball can prolong this movement; some refer to it as a smashing volley rather than an overhead smash. Jumping assists in the shift of weight and can give your shot more momentum, even if it's a small one.

The non-volley zone restrictions for playing volleyball close to the kitchen are rather straightforward. Before you enter the non-volley zone, if you hit and jump a volley, your force needs to be under control. Regardless of how deliciously successful your volley was, a fault will be called if your jumping momentum causes you to contact any portion of the kitchen area.

If you touch the no-volley region before jumping, play an overhead smash or a volley, and land beyond the kitchen after firing the shot, it will still be considered a fault. Your feet should initially make contact with the ground outside the kitchen while entering the no-volley zone before jumping and playing a shot.

After making a jumping or stationary shot, be careful not to let your paddle touch the non-volley zone because doing so will result in losing or at least an immediate fault. Jumping and playing a shot requires precise landing techniques because a simple touch of the kitchen might ruin all of your hard work.

In pickleball, you are free to jump around as much as you wish. While some players like to be stationary with particular strokes, it is your right to develop your own playing style, which will help you become the finest pickleball player possible. So go ahead and jump all you want if that’s what it takes!

Imagine if jumping were prohibited in tennis. Pete Sampras "flying" into the air before smashing the ball in an act of sheer authority would never have been something we would have had the ultimate pleasure of witnessing.

Jumping and smashing a shot not only shows your skill but also adds a fun element to pickleball, so you can include it into your game. However, you must keep in mind that it should enhance rather than detract from your game.