Pickleball is a sport filled with unique and interesting terms that every player, new or seasoned, should know. Understanding these pickleball terms will not only enhance your enjoyment of the game but also improve your skills and communication on the court. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your knowledge, we’ve compiled a list of popular pickleball terms and definitions that are essential for any player. Here is a list of popular pickleball terms:
Common Pickleball Terms and Definitions
1. Dink: A soft shot hit near the net that lands in the opponent’s kitchen (non-volley zone). The aim is to make it difficult for the opponent to attack, forcing a more controlled and tactical play.
2. Kitchen: Also known as the “non-volley zone,” the kitchen is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net where players are not allowed to volley (hit the ball in the air without it bouncing first). Players must wait for the ball to bounce before hitting it when standing in the kitchen.
3. Volley: Hitting the ball in the air before it bounces on the court. Volleys are allowed outside of the kitchen area, but players must avoid stepping into the kitchen while hitting a volley.
4. Fault: Any violation of the rules that stops play, such as hitting the ball out of bounds, stepping into the kitchen while volleying, or not serving correctly. A fault results in a point for the opponent or a side-out.
5. Side-Out: When the serving team loses its serve. In doubles, both players on a team have the opportunity to serve before a side-out occurs (except for the first service of the game, where only one player serves).
6. Drop Shot: A soft shot, similar to a dink, but typically hit from the back of the court. The goal is to land the ball softly in the opponent’s kitchen, making it difficult for them to return.
7. Third Shot Drop: A strategic shot used by the serving team after the return of serve (the third shot in a rally). The ball is softly hit to land in the opponent’s kitchen, allowing the serving team to move toward the net and gain an advantageous position.
8. Drive: A powerful, fast-paced shot that travels low over the net and deep into the opponent’s court. Drives are typically used to pressure opponents and force them into a defensive position.
9. Lob: A high, arching shot that sends the ball deep into the opponent’s court, often over their heads. The lob can be used defensively to reset a point or offensively to surprise an opponent who is close to the net.
10. Erne: A shot where a player moves outside the court, around the kitchen, and hits the ball out of the air close to the net, often catching the opponent by surprise. This shot is named after Erne Perry, a well-known pickleball player.
11. ATP (Around the Post): A shot hit around the outside edge of the net post. This is allowed when the ball travels outside the court boundaries but still lands in the opponent’s court without crossing over the net.
12. Poach: When a player in doubles crosses over to their partner’s side of the court to intercept and hit a ball, often to catch the opponent off guard.
13. Serve: The starting shot of a point, hit underhand and cross-court into the opponent’s service court. The serve must be made with both feet behind the baseline and with the paddle making contact with the ball below the waist.
14. Ace: A serve that lands in the correct service court and is not touched by the opponent, resulting in an immediate point for the serving team.
15. Spin Serve: A serve where the player imparts spin on the ball, making it more difficult for the opponent to predict and return. Spin serves can be tricky to master and return.
16. Cross-Court: A shot hit diagonally from one side of the court to the other, usually aimed to move the opponent out of position.
17. Down the Line: A shot hit parallel to the sideline, staying on the same side of the court without crossing to the opposite diagonal side.
18. Paddle: The equipment used to hit the ball in pickleball. Paddles are made of composite materials such as graphite, fiberglass, or wood.
19. Rally: A series of shots exchanged back and forth between opponents until a point is won or a fault occurs.
20. Topspin: A type of spin where the top of the ball rotates forward, causing it to dip downward quickly after clearing the net. Topspin shots are often used to add control and depth to the ball.
21. Backspin: A type of spin where the bottom of the ball rotates backward, making the ball slow down or skid upon landing. Backspin can make returns more challenging for the opponent.
22. Let: A serve that hits the net but still lands in the correct service court. In some rules, a let results in a redo of the serve; in others, it may be considered a playable shot.
23. Double Bounce Rule: A rule that requires each team to allow the ball to bounce once on their side of the court before hitting it after the serve. This means the serving team must let the return of serve bounce before hitting it, and the receiving team must also allow the serve to bounce before returning it.
24. Foot Fault: A fault that occurs when a player steps into the kitchen while volleying or steps on or over the baseline during a serve.
25. Overhead Smash: A powerful, downward shot usually hit from a high position, often used to finish a point when the ball is returned high by the opponent.
26. Spin: A technique that adds rotation to the ball to affect its flight path, bounce, and how it is played. Different spins (topspin, backspin, sidespin) can create challenges for opponents.
27. Paddle Grip: The way a player holds the paddle. Different grips (e.g., continental, eastern, western) can affect how shots are executed.
28. Soft Game: A style of play that involves dinks, drops, and other controlled, less powerful shots. The soft game is focused on precision and positioning rather than power.
29. Punch Volley: A compact, controlled volleying technique often used close to the net to keep the ball low and maintain pressure on the opponent.
30. No-Man’s Land: The area on the court between the baseline and the kitchen line. It’s often a difficult position to defend, as players are too far from the net to control volleys effectively and too close to the baseline to play groundstrokes comfortably.
31. Pickler: A term for an enthusiastic pickleball player who is passionate about the game and often plays regularly.
Knowing these pickleball terms can significantly boost your confidence and performance on the court. As you play, these pickleball terms will become second nature, helping you to understand strategies, rules, and techniques better. Embrace the lingo, enjoy the game, and soon enough, you’ll feel like a seasoned “pickler” ready to take on any opponent!
