SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pb-serve-kitchen-line

Your serve lands right on the kitchen line. Is it in or out?

Out. A serve on the non-volley zone line is short, a fault.

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  1. In, because lines are in
  2. Out, it is a fault ✔
  3. It is replayed

Why: The kitchen line is part of the kitchen. A serve must clear the whole non-volley zone, so a serve that touches that line is short and a fault.

Huh, didn't know that: This is the one time a line is out: other lines, like the baseline, are in on a serve.

The dad joke
My serve landed on the kitchen line. Guess it was hungry.
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References

Answer: Out, it is a fault. The kitchen line is part of the kitchen. A serve must clear the whole non-volley zone, so a serve that touches that line is short and a fault.

  1. USA Pickleball Rules Summary usapickleball.org/rules/summary
    A serve contacting the non-volley zone line is short and a fault.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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