Ever felt lost in a pickleball conversation? Trust me, we’ve all been there!
When I first started playing, I heard pickleball terms like “kitchen” and “dinking” being thrown around, and I thought my teammates were speaking a different language.
But don’t worry – I’ve got your back with this comprehensive guide to pickleball lingo.
Whether you’re a total newbie or just need a refresher, this list of 80+ pickleball terms will help you sound like a pro on the courts.
Let’s get started…
What Are Pickleball Terms?
Pickleball terms are the words, phrases, and slang players use to describe shots, court positions, scoring, equipment, and strategy. Learning common pickleball terminology helps new players understand the game faster, communicate more effectively with partners, and feel more confident on the court.
Some of the most common pickleball terms include the kitchen, dink, third shot drop, ATP (Around the Post), Erne, and side out. Whether you’re brand new to pickleball or have been playing for years, understanding these terms can make the game more enjoyable.
Court Terms
Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone): The 7-foot area on each side of the net where players cannot hit volleys.
Baseline: The back boundary line of the pickleball court.
Sideline: The boundary lines that run along the sides of the court.
Centerline: The line that divides each side of the court into two service areas.
Service Box: The area where a serve must land, diagonally opposite from the server.
Service Court: The portion of the court from which a player serves, behind the baseline.
Net: The barrier that divides the two sides of the pickleball court.
Non-Volley Zone (NVZ): Another name for the kitchen, the 7-foot area on each side of the net where volleys are prohibited.
Transition Zone: The area between the baseline and the kitchen where players often move through while advancing to the net.
Kitchen Line: The line marking the boundary of the non-volley zone.
Center Mark: The small mark located at the center of the baseline that helps players position themselves when serving.
Serving Terms
Two-Bounce Rule: The serve and return of serve must each bounce once before either team can volley the ball.
Let: A serve that touches the net and lands in the correct service area. (Note: Lets are now considered live balls in pickleball.)
Ace: A serve that is not successfully returned by the receiving team.
Fault: A rule violation that stops play or results in a loss of serve.
Double Fault: Two consecutive serving faults by the same server, resulting in a loss of serve. (Rare in pickleball but occasionally used in recreational play.)
Side-Out: When the serving team loses the serve and it switches to the opposing team.
Server Number: Either “1” or “2,” indicating which partner is currently serving in doubles play.
First Server: The player designated to begin serving for their team.
Second Server: The second player on a doubles team who serves after their partner loses a rally before the serve switches sides.
Basic Shots and Techniques
Dink: A soft shot hit near the kitchen line that lands in your opponent’s non-volley zone.
Drive: A fast, low shot hit with power to pressure your opponents.
Lob: A high, arching shot that travels over your opponents’ heads.
Volley: Hitting the ball before it bounces on your side of the court.
Groundstroke: Hitting the ball after it bounces.
Drop Shot: A soft shot designed to land in the opponent’s kitchen area.
Smash: An aggressive overhead shot used to finish a point.
Topspin: Forward spin that causes the ball to dip quickly and bounce forward aggressively.
Backspin (Slice): Backward spin that keeps the ball low and can cause it to skid after bouncing.
Roll Volley: A volley hit with topspin by brushing up on the back of the ball.
Speed-Up: An aggressive shot used to increase the pace of a rally, often during a dinking exchange.
Counter Attack: A quick offensive response to an opponent’s aggressive shot.
Attackable Ball: A ball that sits high enough above the net to be hit aggressively.
Body Bag: A shot that hits an opponent before they can return it.
Chicken Wing: A difficult shot where the ball jams a player near their body or armpit, forcing an awkward return.
Advanced Shots
ATP (Around the Post): A shot where the ball is hit around the net post instead of over the net.
Erne: An advanced shot where a player jumps or steps outside the sideline near the kitchen and volleys the ball close to the net.
Chainsaw Serve: A now-banned serve that used paddle spin to create additional rotation on the ball before contact.
Backhand: A shot hit on the opposite side of your dominant hand, typically with the back of the hand leading the motion.
Forehand: A shot hit on the same side as your dominant hand, usually generating more power and control.
Cross-Court: A shot that travels diagonally from one side of the court to the opposite side.
Down-the-Line: A shot that travels straight ahead and parallel to the sideline.
And then immediately after Down-the-Line, add:
Bert: An advanced shot where a player crosses in front of their partner and jumps outside the court to volley a ball near the net.
Nasty Nelson: A serve that hits an opposing player before the ball bounces, resulting in an immediate point for the serving team.
Shake and Bake: A doubles strategy where one player hits a hard drive and their partner moves forward looking to finish the point with the next shot.
Modern Pickleball Terms
Banger: A player who relies heavily on power shots and drives instead of soft dinks and drops.
Shake and Bake: A doubles strategy where one player hits a hard drive and their partner aggressively moves forward looking to put away the next ball.
Bert: An advanced shot where a player crosses in front of their partner and jumps outside the court to volley a ball near the net.
Nasty Nelson: When a server intentionally hits an opposing player with the serve before the ball bounces, resulting in an immediate point.
Body Bag: A shot that hits an opponent before they can return it.
Chicken Wing: A difficult shot where the ball jams a player near their armpit or body, forcing an awkward return.
Speed-Up: An aggressive shot used to increase the pace of a rally, often from a dinking exchange.
Counter Attack: A fast offensive response to an opponent’s attack shot.
Roll Volley: A topspin volley created by brushing up on the ball while hitting it.
Topspin: Forward spin that causes the ball to dip quickly and bounce forward aggressively.
Backspin (Slice): Backward spin that keeps the ball low and can cause it to skid after bouncing.
Attackable Ball: A ball that sits high enough above the net to be hit aggressively.
Pickled: Losing a game without scoring a single point.
Golden Pickle: Winning a game without the opposing team scoring a point while your team serves the entire game.
Paddle Tap: The pickleball version of a handshake where players tap paddles after a game as a sign of sportsmanship.
Strategy Terms
Stacking: A positioning strategy where doubles partners line up on the same side of the court to maintain their preferred court positions.
Poach: When a player crosses over to hit a ball that would normally be their partner’s responsibility.
Screen: An illegal action where a server or their partner blocks the receiver’s view of the ball during the serve.
Ready Position: An athletic stance with knees bent and paddle up, used to prepare for the next shot.
Split-Step: A small hop or bounce used to stay balanced and react quickly to an opponent’s shot.
Third Shot Drop: A soft shot hit by the serving team after the return of serve that lands in the opponent’s kitchen.
Fifth Shot: The shot hit after the third shot and fourth shot, often used to continue a team’s advance to the kitchen line.
Reset: A soft shot used to slow down the pace of play and return a rally to a neutral position.
Transition Zone: The area between the baseline and the kitchen where players move through while advancing to the net.
Shake and Bake: A doubles strategy where one player hits a hard drive and their partner aggressively looks to finish the point with the next shot.
Banger: A player who relies primarily on power shots and drives rather than soft dinks and drops.
Counter Attack: An aggressive response to an opponent’s offensive shot.
Game Flow Terms
Rally: The back-and-forth exchange that begins after a serve and continues until a point ends.
Dead Ball: A ball that is no longer in play due to a fault, out ball, or other stoppage.
Live Ball: A ball that is currently in play.
Time-Out: A break in play requested by a player or team.
Side Switch: When players change sides of the court, typically after a game or at specific score intervals.
Starting Position: The location where players stand before a point begins.
Reset: A soft shot used to slow down the pace of play and return a rally to a neutral position.
Point: A score awarded when a team wins a rally under the scoring format being used.
Match Point: A situation where one more point will win the match.
Game Point: A situation where one more point will win the game.
Winner: A shot that cannot be successfully returned by an opponent.
Unforced Error: A mistake made by a player that is not caused by significant pressure from the opponent.
Forced Error: A mistake caused by an opponent’s strong shot or strategic play.
Paddle Tap: The pickleball tradition of tapping paddles with opponents and partners after a game as a sign of sportsmanship.
Pickled: Losing a game without scoring a single point.
Golden Pickle: Winning a game without allowing the opposing team to score a point while your team serves the entire game.
Scoring Terms
Rally Scoring: A scoring format where either team can score a point regardless of who served.
Side-Out Scoring: The traditional pickleball scoring format where only the serving team can score points.
Win By Two: Games must be won by at least a two-point margin.
Match Point: A situation where one more point will win the match.
Game Point: A situation where one more point will win the game.
Zero-Zero-Two: The traditional starting score call in doubles pickleball, indicating the score is 0-0 and the second server is serving.
Server Number: Either “1” or “2,” indicating which partner is currently serving in doubles play.
First Server: The player designated to begin serving for their team.
Second Server: The second player on a doubles team who serves after their partner loses a rally.
Side Out: When the serving team loses the serve and it switches to the opposing team.
Serving Team: The team that currently has the right to serve.
Receiving Team: The team attempting to return the serve.
Score Call: The announcement of the current score before each serve.
Equipment Terms
Paddle: The piece of equipment used to hit the ball in pickleball. If you’re looking for a new paddle, check out my guide to the Best Pickleball Paddles.
Sweet Spot: The optimal area of the paddle face that produces the best combination of power and control.
Core: The internal material of a pickleball paddle that affects its feel, power, and control.
Face: The outer hitting surface of the paddle.
Edge Guard: The protective rim around the edge of many pickleball paddles.
Grip: The handle portion of the paddle that a player holds.
Grip Size: The circumference of the paddle handle.
Overgrip: A thin grip wrap applied over the existing grip to improve comfort and control.
Replacement Grip: A grip that replaces the factory-installed grip on a paddle.
Paddle Weight: The overall weight of a paddle, which can impact power, control, and maneuverability.
Lightweight Paddle: A paddle that typically weighs less than 7.3 ounces and offers increased hand speed and maneuverability.
Midweight Paddle: A paddle that generally weighs between 7.3 and 8.4 ounces, offering a balance of power and control.
Heavyweight Paddle: A paddle that typically weighs over 8.4 ounces and can provide additional power.
Elongated Paddle: A paddle shape that is longer and narrower, often providing extra reach and power.
Widebody Paddle: A paddle shape with a wider face that offers a larger sweet spot.
USA Pickleball Approved: A paddle that meets the equipment standards established by USA Pickleball for tournament play.
Edge-less Paddle: A paddle designed without a traditional edge guard to maximize paddle face size and aerodynamics.
Common Calls
“Out!”: Called when a ball lands outside the court boundaries.
“Bounce It!”: A reminder that the ball should be allowed to bounce before being played.
“No-Vol!”: A warning that a player is in the kitchen and cannot volley the ball.
“Switch!”: A call between partners indicating they should change court positions.
“Nice!”: A common acknowledgment of a good shot or point.
“Ball!”: A safety warning used when a ball from another court enters the playing area.
“Point!”: Called after a team wins a rally and earns a point.
“Mine!”: A call used to communicate that a player intends to hit the ball.
“Yours!”: A call indicating a partner should take the shot.
“Got It!”: A communication call letting a partner know the player will play the ball.
“Watch It!”: A warning that a ball may be heading out of bounds.
“Side Out!”: The announcement that service is changing to the opposing team.
“Second Server!”: The call indicating the second server on a doubles team is now serving.
“Kitchen!”: A reminder that a player is near or in the non-volley zone and must avoid volleying the ball.
Tips for Learning These Terms
- Don’t worry about memorizing everything at once. Start with the basics and build from there.
- Listen for these terms during games – context helps them stick!
- When in doubt, ask your fellow players. Most pickleballers love sharing their knowledge.
Remember, we all started as beginners! These terms will become second nature before you know it. Keep this guide handy, and you’ll be speaking pickleball language like a pro in no time.
Got any favorite pickleball terms I missed? Drop them in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you!
Happy playing! 🏓
Frequently Asked Questions About Pickleball Terms
What is the kitchen in pickleball?
The kitchen, officially known as the non-volley zone, is the 7-foot area on each side of the net where players cannot hit volleys. It is one of the most important areas of the court and plays a major role in strategy.
What is a dink in pickleball?
A dink is a soft shot hit near the kitchen line that lands in your opponent’s non-volley zone. Dinking is one of the most common strategies used in pickleball and helps create offensive opportunities.
What is an ATP in pickleball?
ATP stands for Around the Post. It occurs when a player hits the ball around the net post instead of over the net. ATP shots are legal as long as the ball lands in bounds on the opponent’s side of the court.
What is an Erne in pickleball?
An Erne is an advanced shot where a player moves outside the sideline near the kitchen and volleys the ball close to the net. The shot is named after legendary player Erne Perry.
What is a third shot drop?
A third shot drop is a soft shot hit by the serving team after the return of serve. The goal is to land the ball in the opponent’s kitchen and allow the serving team to move forward to the non-volley zone.
What does “pickled” mean in pickleball?
A player or team is said to be “pickled” when they lose a game without scoring a single point.
What is a Nasty Nelson in pickleball?
A Nasty Nelson occurs when a server intentionally hits an opposing player with the serve before the ball bounces. The serving team wins the point immediately.
What is the difference between rally scoring and side-out scoring?
In rally scoring, either team can score a point regardless of who served. In traditional side-out scoring, only the serving team can score points.
Why is it important to learn pickleball terms?
Understanding pickleball terminology helps players communicate more effectively, learn strategy faster, follow tournament broadcasts, and enjoy the game more confidently.
What are the most important pickleball terms for beginners?
Some of the most important pickleball terms for beginners include kitchen, dink, volley, third shot drop, side out, ATP, Erne, and rally scoring.
Having the right equipment can make learning these terms and strategies much easier. If you’re looking to upgrade your gear, check out my guides to the Best Pickleball Paddles, Best Pickleball Shoes, and Best Pickleball Bags.
Conclusion
There you have it—more than 80 pickleball terms every player should know.
When you’re new to the game, terms like kitchen, ATP, Erne, and third shot drop can sound confusing. The good news is that the more you play, the more natural this language becomes. Before long, you’ll be using these terms without even thinking about it.
Understanding pickleball terminology not only helps you communicate better with your partner, but it can also improve your strategy and overall enjoyment of the game.
If you’re looking to continue improving your game, be sure to check out my guides on the best pickleball paddles, pickleball shoes, and pickleball bags. And if I missed one of your favorite pickleball terms, leave a comment and let me know.
Happy Pickling!
