As you dive into the world of pickleball, you’ll encounter a variety of terms unique to the sport. Understanding pickleball terminology will not only help you communicate effectively on the court but also enhance your overall enjoyment of the game. This beginner’s glossary covers the essential pickleball terms you need to know.
A
Ace: A serve that the opponent cannot return, resulting in a point for the server.
Approach Shot: A shot that a player hits while moving toward the net.
B
Backcourt: The area near the baseline, away from the net.
Backhand: A stroke made on the non-dominant side of the body. For right-handed players, this would be the left side.
Baseline: The line at the back of the court, marking the boundary of the playing area.
Bounce Serve: A serve where the ball bounces before being struck. This is not legal in pickleball as the serve must be made underhand without bouncing.
C
Centerline: The line that divides the service courts into left and right halves.
Crosscourt: A shot hit diagonally across the court from one side to the other.
D
Dink: A soft shot that just clears the net and lands in the non-volley zone.
Double Bounce Rule: A rule requiring each team to let the ball bounce once on their side before they can volley it.
Doubles: A game format with two players on each side.
E
Erne: A shot where a player, typically positioned near the net, leaps around the non-volley zone to hit the ball while airborne.
F
Fault: A violation of the rules, resulting in a loss of serve or point.
Foot Fault: When a player steps on or over the baseline while serving, or steps into the non-volley zone while volleying.
G
Groundstroke: A shot hit after the ball has bounced once on the court.
H
Half-Volley: A shot where the ball is hit immediately after it bounces, often with a short swing.
I
Inside-Out Shot: A shot where the ball is hit with the paddle moving across the body, creating an angle that sends the ball in the opposite direction of the player’s initial position.
K
Kitchen: Another term for the non-volley zone, the 7-foot area on either side of the net where volleying is not allowed.
L
Lob: A high, arching shot intended to go over the opponent’s head.
M
Match: A series of games, usually played in a best-of-three format.
N
Non-Volley Zone (NVZ): The 7-foot area on both sides of the net where players cannot hit the ball before it bounces.
O
Overhead Smash: A powerful shot hit from above the player’s head, often used to finish a point.
P
Paddle: The instrument used to hit the ball in pickleball. Paddles are smaller than tennis racquets and larger than table tennis paddles.
Passing Shot: A shot aimed to get past an opponent who is positioned at the net.
Pickleball: The perforated plastic ball used in the game, similar to a Wiffle ball.
R
Rally: A sequence of back-and-forth shots between opponents, ending when a point is scored or a fault is committed.
Receiver: The player who receives the serve.
Return: The shot made by the receiver after the serve.
S
Serve: The shot that begins each point. It must be hit underhand and diagonally cross-court.
Server: The player who initiates the point by serving the ball.
Sideline: The lines marking the side boundaries of the court.
Singles: A game format with one player on each side.
Slice: A shot with backspin, causing the ball to stay low and change direction upon bouncing.
T
Third Shot Drop: A soft shot usually played as the third shot of the rally, intended to land in the opponent’s non-volley zone.
V
Volley: Hitting the ball before it bounces. Volleys are not allowed in the non-volley zone.
W
Wrist Flick: A quick, flicking motion of the wrist used to generate power or spin on a shot.
Conclusion
Mastering pickleball terminology is an essential step for any beginner. This glossary provides a foundation that will help you understand the game better and communicate effectively with other players. Keep this guide handy as you continue to learn and play, and soon you’ll be speaking like a seasoned pickleball pro.
