30 Must-Know Pickleball Terms, Phrases and Slang

Step onto the pickleball court with confidence and flair!

Get ready to spice up your game and impress your friends with the slickest terms and slang from the world of pickleball.

From “dink” mastery to “smashing” victories, these 30 essential phrases are your secret sauce for becoming a court legend.

Serve’s up – let’s dive in!

Must-Know Pickleball Terms, Phrases and Slang:

1. Ace
2. Backhand
3. Baseline
4. Dink
5. Double bounce
6. Drive
7. Erne
8. Fault
9. Forehand
10. Groundstroke
11. Kitchen
12. Lob
13. No-volley zone
14. Overhead
15. Poach
16. Rally
17. Serve
18. Sideline
19. Smash
20. Spin
21. Stroke
22. Unforced error
23. Volley
24. Warning
25. Zone
26. Crosscourt
27. Dead ball
28. Drop shot
29. Foot fault
30. Non-volley line

#1 Ace

In pickleball, an ace is a serve that the opponent fails to return, earning the server a point. This term highlights both a strong serve and a moment of advantage in the game.

#2 Backhand

A backhand is a stroke where the player swings the paddle across the body with the back of the hand facing towards the net. Typically used when the ball is on the opposite side of the paddle hand, it is a fundamental skill in pickleball.

#3 Baseline

The baseline refers to the back line on a pickleball court that runs parallel to the net. Players serve from behind the baseline, and it defines the boundary for legal serves and in-play shots.

#4 Dink

A dink is a soft, controlled shot that barely clears the net and lands in the opponent’s non-volley zone, or ‘kitchen’. This strategic shot is used to make it difficult for the opponent to return with power.

#5 Double bounce

The double bounce rule in pickleball requires that each team must play their first shot off of the bounce. That means the serve and the return of serve cannot be volleyed but must bounce once before being struck.

#6 Drive

A drive in pickleball is a forceful, flat shot that travels fast and low over the net. Drives are often used to pressure opponents and create offensive opportunities.

#7 Erne

An Erne is a shot in pickleball where a player jumps from outside the non-volley zone (also known as the kitchen) to hit a ball in the air before it crosses the plane of the net. This advanced technique allows players to hit volleys aggressively close to the net without committing a foot fault in the non-volley zone.

#8 Fault

A fault in pickleball occurs when a rule is violated during a serve, rally, or play, resulting in the loss of a point or the serve. Common faults include hitting the ball out of bounds, failing to clear the net, or stepping into the non-volley zone while volleying.

#9 Forehand

A type of stroke in pickleball where the ball is hit with the palm side of the hand leading, typically on the same side of the body as the paddle-holding arm. It’s a fundamental shot used for powerful drives or precise placements.

#10 Groundstroke

A groundstroke is executed after the ball has bounced once on the court, usually hit from the back part of the court. This shot is a cornerstone of the baseline game, either as a defensive return or an offensive setup.

#11 Kitchen

Informal term for the no-volley zone; the area within seven feet on either side of the net where players cannot volley the ball. It’s a critical area for strategic play, especially when executing or defending against dinks.

#12 Lob

A high-arcing shot intended to go over an opponent’s head and land in the back of the court. Lobs can be defensive, to gain time to reposition, or offensive, to exploit a gap in the opponent’s court positioning.

#13 No-volley zone

Also known as the kitchen, this is a zone extending seven feet from the net on both sides where players cannot hit the ball out of the air. Mastery of play around this area is essential in pickleball.

#14 Overhead

An overhead is a powerful shot typically performed when the ball is hit high above the player’s head. It’s similar to a smash in tennis, used to drive the ball downward into the opponent’s court with great force, making it difficult to return.

#15 Poach

Poaching in pickleball refers to a player crossing over into their partner’s area to make a play on the ball. This aggressive move is often used in doubles play to take advantage of a strong forehand or to surprise opponents with a quick intercept.

#16 Rally

A rally in pickleball is the sequence of hitting the ball back and forth between opponents, starting with the serve and continuing until a fault is made or the point is won. Rallies can involve a variety of shots and strategic plays.

#17 Serve

The action used to start each point in pickleball, where the player hits the ball diagonally across the court to the opponent’s service zone. Successful serves must clear the non-volley zone and land within the bounds of the receiver’s court.

#18 Sideline

The lines that run parallel to the length of the pickleball court and define the lateral boundaries of the playing area. A ball that lands outside the sidelines is considered out of bounds.

#19 Smash

A powerful, aggressive overhead shot intended to finish the point, hit downward into the opponent’s court with high speed. Smashes are often difficult to return due to their velocity and downward trajectory.

#20 Spin

The rotation imparted on the ball by a player’s paddle to affect its trajectory and bounce, making it more challenging for opponents to return. Spin can be topspin, backspin, or sidespin, each affecting the ball’s movement differently.

#21 Stroke

A fundamental element of pickleball gameplay, it’s the act of swinging the paddle to hit the ball. Different types of strokes include the serve, volley, groundstroke, and dink.

#22 Unforced Error

A mistake made by a player during a rally that was not caused by the opponent’s good play, typically results in the loss of a point. Common unforced errors include hitting the ball out of bounds or into the net.

#23 Volley

A volley in pickleball is a shot made by hitting the ball out of the air before it bounces on the court. Volleys are typically executed near the net in the non-volley zone, but players must be careful not to step on or over the non-volley line while hitting a volley.

#24 Warning

A notification given by the referee for a minor infraction or to inform a player of their behavior that could lead to a penalty. It serves as a caution without immediate repercussion but reminds players to follow the rules.

#25 Zone

Refers to a defensive strategy where players cover a specific area or ‘zone’ of the court rather than guarding individual opponents. It focuses on protecting strategic spaces to prevent scoring opportunities.

#26 Crosscourt

A shot that travels diagonally across the court, from one side to the opposite sideline. It’s a strategic play that can catch opponents off-guard and create challenging angles.

#27 Dead ball

A term indicating that play has stopped and the ball is not in play. This pause can occur after a fault, between serves, or when a rule has been breached, signaling a break in the action.

#28 Drop shot

A softly hit ball that barely travels over the net, landing close to it in the opponent’s court. It’s a finesse shot designed to catch opponents out of position, especially if they’re playing deep.

#29 Foot fault

An infraction that occurs when a player’s foot enters the non-volley zone during a serve or steps on the baseline before hitting the ball. Foot faults result in the loss of serve or a point for the opponent.

#30 Non-volley line

The non-volley line in pickleball, often referred to as the “kitchen” line, is a boundary line located 7 feet from the net on both sides of the court. Players are prohibited from volleying the ball if they are standing within this zone, which is designed to prevent players from dominating play at the net.

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