50 Pickleball Terms Every Player Should Know

“Every game has its language. Learn it, and you’ll play with confidence.”– Unknown

Pickleball, like any sport, has its own set of unique terms and phrases that players use during matches. Whether you're new to the game or looking to expand your knowledge, understanding these terms will not only help you communicate better on the court but also improve your strategy and gameplay.

Below is a list of the 50 most common pickleball terms every player should know.

Pickleball Court Terms

1.        Baseline: The baseline is the back boundary line of the court. A serve must be made behind this line, and balls landing beyond it are considered out.

2.        Centerline: The centerline divides the service courts and must be respected when serving and returning.

3.        The Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone): The “kitchen” refers to the non-volley zone (NVZ), the 7-foot area on both sides of the net where players cannot volley the ball (hit it out of the air). If you step into the kitchen, you must let the ball bounce before hitting it.

4.        Paddle: The piece of equipment used to hit the pickleball ball. Pickleball paddles are a solid surface and are typically made of composite, graphite, or wood. A paddle is smaller than a tennis racket and larger than a ping pong paddle.

5.        Net: The net separates the two halves of the court and must be cleared by the ball during play. If a serve touches the net and lands in the correct service box, play continues.

6.        Sideline: The sidelines mark the left and right boundaries of the court. If the ball lands beyond these lines, it is considered out.

Basic Pickleball Terms

7.        Backhand: A stroke where the paddle is swung across the body with the back of the hand facing forward. Backhand shots can be more challenging and often require wrist control or two-handed grip for better accuracy and power.

8.        Dead Ball: A dead ball occurs when a rally ends due to a fault, out-of-bounds shot, or other rule violation.

9.        Fault: A fault occurs when a player commits a rule violation, resulting in the loss of a rally. Common faults include hitting the ball out of bounds, stepping into the kitchen during a volley, or failing to clear the net.

10.   Forehand: A stroke in which the player swings the paddle across their body with the palm facing forward. The forehand is typically the stronger and more controlled shot compared to the backhand.

11.   Groundstroke: A groundstroke is a shot made after the ball has bounced once on the court, typically hit from the baseline or midcourt.

12.   Hinder: A hinder is any situation where an outside factor, such as a stray ball rolling onto the court, interferes with play. In such cases, the point is usually replayed.

13.   Rally: A rally refers to a continuous exchange of shots between teams until a point is won or a fault is committed.

14.   Volley: A volley is when you hit the ball before it bounces on your side. Volleys are not allowed while standing inside the kitchen.

Serving Terms

15.   Ace: An ace is a serve that the opponent fails to touch or return, resulting in an immediate point.

16.   First Serve: The first serve is the initial serve of a match or a rally, usually performed by the right-side player in doubles.

17.   Service Courts: The service courts are the two boxes on each side of the centerline where a serve must land to be considered valid.

18.   Second Serve: In doubles, the second serve happens when the first server loses a rally, allowing their partner to serve before the other team gets the ball.

Shot Terms

19.   3rd Shot Drop: The third shot drop is a strategic soft shot hit after the serve return. It is designed to land in the opponent’s kitchen, allowing the serving team to move forward and establish control at the net.

20.   ATP (Around the Post): An Around the Post (ATP) shot is when a player hits the ball outside the net post and lands it inbounds. This is a legal shot that requires precision and timing.

21.   Banging: Banging is a powerful, fast shots rather than strategic soft play. Bangers try to win rallies by overwhelming their opponents with speed and force.

22.   Carry: A carry occurs when the ball is not cleanly hit but instead dragged or lifted with the paddle. This is considered a fault in most cases.

23.   Dink: A dink is a soft, controlled shot that lands in the opponent’s kitchen. This shot is used to slow down aggressive play and force a rally based on patience and precision.

24.   Drive: A drive is a fast, low shot aimed at putting pressure on opponents. It is often used in contrast to soft dinking play.

25.   Erne: An Erne is an advanced shot where a player steps outside the court near the kitchen sideline to volley the ball. This allows for an aggressive attack while avoiding a kitchen fault.

26.   Half Volley: A half volley is a quick, low shot where the ball is hit immediately after bouncing, just before it rises.

27.   Overhead Slam (Smash): An overhead slam or smash is a powerful shot hit downward, often used to finish off a point when the ball is high.

Game and Strategy Terms

28.   Cross-Court: A cross-court shot is a ball hit diagonally from one side of the court to the opposite side.

29.   Passing Shot: A passing shot is a fast, well-placed shot that goes past an opponent at the net, making it impossible to return.

30.   Poach: Poaching occurs when a player moves into their partner’s area to intercept and hit a shot, usually to take advantage of an offensive opportunity.

31.   Reset: A reset is a controlled defensive shot used to slow down the pace of a rally, bringing play back to a neutral state and allowing a team to regain positioning.

32.   Shake and Bake: The Shake and Bake is a doubles strategy where the server’s partner moves aggressively to the net after a deep serve, looking to smash the opponent’s weak return.

33.   Stacking: Stacking is a positioning strategy in doubles where partners switch sides after serving or receiving to maintain a preferred player alignment.

34.   Switching: Switching is a movement tactic where partners trade court positions during a rally, often to keep a stronger forehand or backhand in play.

Scoring Terms

35.   Double Bounce Rule: The double bounce rule states that both teams must allow the ball to bounce once on each side before volleys are permitted.

36.   Double Hit: A double hit is when a player hits the ball twice on a single shot, whether intentionally or unintentionally. This is usually considered a fault.

37.   Let Serve (Obsolete as of 2021): A let serve was when a serve hit the net but still landed in the correct service box. Previously, let serves were replayed, but USA Pickleball removed this rule in 2021—so now, if a serve hits the net and lands in, play continues.

38.   Line Calls: Line calls refer to determining whether a ball is in or out. In recreational play, players are responsible for making their own line calls honestly.

39.   Golden Pickle: A golden pickle occurs when a team wins a match without allowing their opponents to score a single point.

40.   Side Out: A side out happens when the serving team loses the rally, and the serve goes to the opposing team.

Court Positioning and Movement Terms

41.   Drop Shot: A drop shot is a soft shot hit just over the net into the kitchen, forcing opponents to move forward.

42.   Lobbing: A lob is a high, arching shot hit deep into the opponent’s court, used to push players back and reset a rally.

43.   No-Man’s Land (Transition Zone): The transition zone refers to the area between the baseline and the kitchen. This is often called “No Man’s Land” because players are vulnerable here, making it harder to control the rally.

44.   Split Step: A split step is a quick hop or pause a player takes just before reacting to a shot. This movement improves balance and reaction time.

45.   Transition Zone (No Man’s Land): The transition zone refers to the area between the baseline and the kitchen. This is often called “No Man’s Land” because players are vulnerable here, making it harder to control the rally.

Fun and Unique Pickleball Terms

46.   Dillball: A dillball is a legal shot that lands in play and follows all the rules of pickleball.

47.   Falafel: A falafel is a weak or dead shot that has little power and does not travel far.

48.   Paddle Tap: At the end of a game, players often tap paddles instead of shaking hands as a show of sportsmanship.

49.   Pickle! Some players say “Pickle!” to announce the start of a game, similar to how tennis players say “Love-All” before the first serve.

50.   Pickled: Getting “pickled” means losing a game without scoring a single point (similar to a “bagel” in tennis).

Game Point

Pickleball has its own unique language, and learning these terms will help you communicate better, understand strategy, and enjoy the game even more. Whether you’re perfecting your dinks, avoiding faults, or mastering the third shot drop, knowing the lingo will make you a more confident and prepared player.

Next time you're on the court, test out some of these terms and maybe even call out “Pickle!” before you start your next game.

See you on the courts!