Pickleball Terms and Definitions

Ace: A legally served ball that the receiving team cannot return, resulting in an immediate point for the serving team. This often occurs due to a powerful, well-placed serve.

Advisory: A non-binding recommendation from the referee regarding a rule, often given to clarify a situation or prevent a future fault.

Aggressor: A player who consistently hits powerful, offensive shots, aiming to force errors or win points outright.

Alley: The extended area on either side of the singles court used to create a wider playing area for doubles matches. In pickleball, the alley is in bounds for all shots.

Andiamo!: A phrase professional pickleball player Julian Arnold exclaims on the court after executing an impressive play. In Italian, it translates to “let’s go.”

APP (Association of Pickleball Players): An organization established in 2020 that hosts a series of professional, senior professional, and amateur pickleball tournaments, all sanctioned by USA Pickleball.

APP Tour: An acronym for the Association of Pickleball Professionals Tour, one of the major professional pickleball tournament circuits.

Approach Shot: A shot typically hit from mid-court that allows a player to move forward to the non-volley zone (NVZ) to take control of the rally.

Around the Post (ATP): A creative and advanced shot hit from outside the sideline that travels around the net post and lands legally within the opponent’s court. This shot can be difficult to defend against.

Attackable Ball: A ball hit by the opponent that is high enough and deep enough in your court to allow you to hit an aggressive groundstroke or volley.

Backcourt: The area of the court near the baseline. Players typically move out of the backcourt to approach the kitchen line during a rally.

Backhand: A stroke hit on the side of the body opposite to the player’s dominant hand (e.g., for a right-handed player, a shot hit on the left side).

Backspin: Backspin: A type of spin applied to the pickleball that causes it to skid and remain low after bouncing. Also known as a slice.

Backswing: The preparatory movement of the paddle before striking the ball, moving it backward away from the net.

Baseline: The line at the very back of the pickleball court, 22 feet from the net. Players must stand behind the baseline when serving.

Banger (slang): A player who primarily hits hard drives and smashes rather than softer dinks or strategic shots.

Block Volley: A defensive volley, often executed from the backhand side, where the paddle is held perpendicular to the court to simply deflect the ball, typically into the opponent’s non-volley zone.

Body Shot: A shot aimed directly at an opponent’s torso, making it difficult to return as they have to move their paddle around their body.

Bounce It! (slang): A common verbal cue used by partners to remind each other to let the ball bounce, especially when an opponent’s serve or return is deep.

Bracket: A diagram illustrating the schedule and progression of teams or players in a tournament.

Bye: In a tournament bracket, a “bye” signifies that a team or player advances to the next round without playing a match, usually due to an uneven number of entries.

Carry: An illegal shot where the ball is held on the paddle for too long during the stroke, rather than a clean hit. This results in a fault.

Centerline: The line that divides the service court into two equal halves, extending from the baseline to the non-volley zone line.

Challenge: In tournaments with line judges, a request by a player to review a line call.

Chop: A shot hit with a downward cutting motion, imparting backspin on the ball. This can make the ball skid or drop quickly after bouncing.

Choking (slang): A player’s performance significantly declining under pressure, often leading to uncharacteristic errors.

Composite: Describes a pickleball paddle constructed from multiple distinct components, such as the handle, core, and paddle face.

Consolation Bracket: A secondary tournament bracket for teams or players who lose in the early rounds of the main bracket, giving them more playing opportunities.

Core: The inner material of a pickleball paddle, which contributes to its feel, power, and control characteristics (e.g., polymer, Nomex, aluminum).

Court: The playing area for pickleball, measuring 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, divided by a net and marked with specific lines.

Cross-Court: A shot hit diagonally from one side of the court to the opposite side (e.g., from the right service court to the opponent’s right service court).

Dead Ball: A ball that is no longer in play due to a fault, out-of-bounds hit, or the completion of a point.

Deep: Refers to a shot that lands near the opponent’s baseline or far back in their court.

Delamination: The loss of a pickleball paddle’s structural integrity, specifically when the carbon fiber layers (plies) in its facesheet separate. This condition is often detected by a distinct popping sound when hitting the ball, resulting in an unusually fast and potentially dangerous pace.

Defensive Shot: Any shot aimed at neutralizing an opponent’s attack or buying time to recover court position.

Delay of Game: A penalty assessed for intentionally stalling the match or taking too much time between rallies.

Dig: A defensive shot executed when a player’s paddle is low to the ground, typically in response to a ball hit at their feet. Players often crouch to absorb the shot’s power and attempt to reset the rally.

Dink Shot: A soft shot played from near a player’s non-volley zone line, intended to land within the opponent’s non-volley zone.

Dink Volley: A soft volley shot where a player intercepts an opponent’s dink out of the air and returns it gently into the opponent’s non-volley zone.

Dillball (slang): A playful slang term for a live ball that has bounced once in the non-volley zone (NVZ) after a serve return. “Keep playing, that dillball is live!”

Distraction: A physical action by a player that impedes an opponent’s ability or concentration when attempting to hit the ball.

Doubles: A game format in pickleball played with two players on each side of the net.

Double Bounce Rule: The fundamental rule stating that after a serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once, and then the serving team must also let the ball bounce once before either team can volley it. After these two bounces, players may volley or hit groundstrokes.

Double Elimination: A tournament format where a player or team must lose twice to be eliminated. After one loss, participants move to a “loser’s bracket” and continue playing until they incur a second loss.

Double Fault: When the serving team commits two consecutive faults on a serve, resulting in a side out or point for the receiving team.

Double Hit: An illegal shot where the paddle contacts the ball twice in a single, continuous stroke. This results in a fault.

Doubles: A match played with two players on each team (four players total) on the court.

Down the Line: A shot hit parallel to the sideline, landing in the opponent’s court on the same side from which it was hit.

Drills: Structured practice repetitions designed to mimic real game scenarios, helping players build muscle memory and improve their skills.

Drive: A powerful shot hit with significant pace, typically from the baseline or mid-court, aiming to push opponents back or past them.

Drop Shot: A soft shot, often hit from mid-court or the baseline, designed to land just over the net and into the opponent’s non-volley zone, similar to a dink but from further back.

DUPR: An acronym for “Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating,” a global rating system used to assess and track player skill levels across all pickleball players.

Edge Guard: The protective strip around the perimeter of a pickleball paddle that helps prevent damage.

Erne: An advanced shot where a player jumps over the non-volley zone (NVZ) line to hit a volley, or runs around the NVZ to hit the ball out of the air. The player must not touch the NVZ line or court before hitting the ball.

Error: A mistake made by a player that results in a fault or point for the opponent.

Even Court: When playing doubles, the right-hand service court is considered the even court. The server always serves from the even court when their score is even (0, 2, 4, etc.).

Face: The flat hitting surface of a pickleball paddle.

Fade: A shot that curves away from the opponent, often used to create difficult angles.

Falafel (slang): A humorous term for a shot, typically a dink or drop shot, that is hit too softly and fails to clear the net, often falling short into the NVZ or hitting the net.

Fault: Any infraction of the rules that stops play and results in either a side out or a point for the opposing team. Common faults include hitting the ball out of bounds, hitting the net on a serve, or violating the non-volley zone rule.

First Serve: In doubles play, this refers to the first server for a team when they gain the serve. If they commit a fault, the second server takes over.

First Server Wristband: A wristband worn to easily identify the player on a team who served first at the beginning of a game.

Flamingo: An offensive shot characterized by a player adopting a flamingo-like pose, with one leg raised behind and the body leaning forward to hit the ball. This posture is often used for balance, counterbalancing, and to facilitate an attacking shot.

Flat Shot: A shot hit with little to no spin, relying primarily on power and placement.

Follow Through: The continuation of the paddle motion after striking the ball. A proper follow-through is crucial for control and power.

Foot Fault: An illegal action during a serve where the server steps on or over the baseline before hitting the ball. This results in a fault.

Footwork: The coordinated movement and positioning of a player’s feet, essential for maintaining proper balance and executing shots effectively.

Forehand: A shot executed by swinging the paddle across the body with the palm of the hand facing forward, typically on the player’s dominant side.

Game: A distinct segment of a pickleball match, typically won by the first side to score 11 points, leading by at least two. In tournament play, game scoring can vary (e.g., 15 points in consolation brackets), and winning a match may require winning a best of multiple games.

Game Point: The point that, if won by the leading team, will end the game.

Getting Pickled (slang): A humorous term for losing a game with zero points, often referred to as a “Golden Pickle” if the score is 11-0 with no side outs.

Golden Pickle (slang): Winning a game 11-0 with no side outs. The ultimate “pickling” achievement.

Graphite: A lightweight yet highly durable material commonly used for the face of pickleball paddles, known for its strength and responsiveness.

Grip: The positioning of your hands on a pickleball paddle.

Grip Size: The circumference of a paddle’s handle, chosen based on player hand size for comfort and control.

Groundstroke: A shot hit after the ball has bounced once on the court. Groundstrokes are commonly hit from the baseline or mid-court.

Half-Volley: A shot hit immediately after the ball bounces on the court, typically as it is rising. It’s a quick reaction shot, often used when caught in mid-court.

Handicap: A system used in some informal games or tournaments to even the playing field between players of different skill levels, often involving starting with points or adjusting rules.

Hinder: An action by a player or an object outside the court that interferes with play, often resulting in a re-do of the rally.

Honeycomb Core: A paddle core design or configuration that resembles a honeycomb structure.

Hook: A shot hit with sidespin that curves sharply, often used to create angles or surprise opponents.

In Bounds: Refers to a ball that lands within the designated playing lines of the court, including the alleys in doubles.

Illegal Serve: A serve that does not comply with the official rules, such as a foot fault, hitting the net and not clearing, or serving above the waist. Results in a fault.

In Play: Refers to a ball that is legally in motion during a rally, from the moment it is served until a fault or point is scored.

Initiator: The player or team that starts an aggressive sequence in a rally.

IPTPA (International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association): Alongside the PPR, one of the two primary organizations that certify pickleball instructors.

Jail (slang): Being stuck in the transition zone (mid-court), a vulnerable position for players in pickleball.

Jamming: Hitting the ball directly at an opponent’s body, making it difficult for them to return the shot cleanly. Often used strategically to create weak returns.

Kamikaze: A player who charges the non-volley line with great speed while their opponent hits the ball.

King’s Side (slang): An informal term referring to the left-hand service court, often associated with strategic play in doubles.

Kitchen (slang): The common, informal name for the non-volley zone (NVZ). “Stay out of the kitchen!”

Kitchen Line: The line that marks the front boundary of the non-volley zone, seven feet from the net. Players cannot volley the ball while standing on or in front of this line.

Ladder: A visual depiction of a player’s ranking across a period of time. The steps on the ladder indicate a player’s current standing (ranking) in relation to other players.

Let Serve: A serve that hits the net but still lands legally within the opponent’s service court. Under current USA Pickleball rules, a let serve is played as a live ball and does not result in a re-serve.

Line Call: The verbal announcement by a player or referee indicating whether a ball landed in bounds or out of bounds.

Live Ball: A ball that is still in play during a rally.

Lob: A shot hit high and deep into the opponent’s court, designed to go over their head and land near the baseline, pushing them back.

Loser’s Bracket: In a double-elimination tournament, upon losing a match, a player/team is moved to the loser’s bracket where they will compete against other players/teams that have also been defeated.

Match: A complete competition, usually consisting of the best of three or five games.

Mid-Court: The area of the court between the baseline and the non-volley zone line. Often a dangerous place to be caught during a rally as players are vulnerable to drives or drop shots.

Mixed Doubles: Participating in a pickleball game with a partner of the opposite sex.

MLP (Major League Pickleball): Established in 2021, this professional tournament tour features top professional players competing in team play with rally scoring. The teams are owned by influential figures, and the players are under contract.

Momentum: Regarding the non-volley zone rules, a player is not permitted to touch any part of the non-volley zone – including momentum (which has no time limit) – after performing the act of volleying.

Nasty Nelson (slang): A deceptive serve hit intentionally very wide or close to the net post, hoping the opponent will miss or hit it out of bounds while trying to return it.

Net: The barrier that divides the pickleball court in half, standing 34 inches high at the center and 36 inches at the sidelines.

Net Post: The posts that support the net on either side of the court.

No-Man’s Land: This refers to the court area situated between the non-volley line and the baseline. It might also be more appropriately called the “transition area.”

Non-Volley Zone (NVZ): The seven-foot area on either side of the net where players are prohibited from hitting a volley (hitting the ball out of the air). Players can enter the NVZ to hit a groundstroke after the ball has bounced.

Odd Court: When playing doubles, the left-hand service court is considered the odd court. The server always serves from the odd court when their score is odd (1, 3, 5, etc.).

Offensive Shot: Any shot aimed at winning the point or gaining a strong advantage in the rally.

OPA! (slang): A common celebratory exclamation used by players after hitting a particularly good shot or winning a rally.

Open Paddle Face: This refers to angling the paddle at approximately 45 degrees relative to the court. When dinking, it is important to open the paddle face to help get the ball over the net.

Out of Bounds: A ball that lands outside the designated playing lines of the court, resulting in a fault.

Overhead Smash: A powerful shot hit overhead, typically from mid-court or the baseline, used to put away a high, attackable ball with force.

Overgrip: This refers to an additional layer of grip that is placed over a pickleball paddle’s original grip. It is used to enlarge the grip size, preserve the original grip, absorb sweat, and provide additional cushioning.

Overlap: In doubles, a situation where one player covers too much of the court, leaving their partner’s side exposed.

Paddle: The equipment used to hit the pickleball. Paddles are typically made of composite materials and have a solid hitting surface.

Paddle Face: This refers to the paddle’s smooth hitting surface.

Paddle Head: The main hitting part of the paddle, excluding the handle.

Paddle Tap: This is an act of sportsmanship where players tap the butt of their paddle handle with their partner and the opposing player/team after a game concludes.

Paddle Weight: The total weight of a pickleball paddle, affecting its power, control, and maneuverability.

Pancake: This refers to a shot executed with the Western grip, whose motion is visually compared to flipping a pancake with a spatula. Professional player Riley Newman is known for using this shot.

Passing Shot: This is a drive (groundstroke) that goes past an opponent positioned at or near the Non-Volley line.

Pickleball: The sport itself, or the lightweight, perforated ball used in the game, usually made of plastic.

Pickleball Brackets: This is software used for managing pickleball tournaments.

Pickleball Court: The designated playing area for pickleball, measuring 20 feet wide by 44 feet long.

Picklebility: Created by PickleballMAX.com, this term refers to “an embodiment of one’s passion, ability, and addiction to pickleball.”

Pickled: The state of having lost a game without scoring any points.

Pinch: A strategy where players position themselves closer to the centerline in doubles to cover the middle of the court more effectively.

Placement: The strategic direction or location where a player hits the ball on the court.

Point: A unit of scoring in pickleball. Points are only scored by the serving team.

Poach: In doubles play, when one partner crosses into their partner’s side of the court to hit a ball that was originally meant for their partner.

Pool Play: This is a tournament format where players or teams of similar skill levels are organized into separate groups, or “pools.” Within each pool, participants typically play round-robin matches against all other players or teams in that same group. Subsequently, the top “X” finishers from each pool advance to compete against each other to decide the ultimate winner.

Power Zone: The area of the court, typically around the baseline, where players can generate maximum force for drives and smashes.

PPA (Professional Pickleball Association): This refers to a series of professional and amateur pickleball tournaments that first appeared in 2020. Its professional players are signed to exclusive contracts.

PPR (Professional Pickleball Registry): It is, alongside the IPTPA, one of the two primary organizations that certify pickleball instructors.

PPA Tour: An acronym for the Professional Pickleball Association Tour, one of the major professional pickleball tournament circuits.

Proximity: How close players are to the net or to each other on the court.

Put Away: To hit a shot that directly results in a point or an unreturnable ball for the opponent.

Punch Volley: This involves hitting the ball with a paddle face positioned perpendicularly to the court, possibly slightly open, using a forward “punching” motion.

Queen’s Side (slang): An informal term referring to the right-hand service court, often associated with strategic play in doubles.

Quick Hands: Refers to a player’s ability to react quickly and precisely with their paddle during fast-paced dinking or volley exchanges at the net.

Rally: The continuous exchange of shots between players or teams after the serve and before a fault or point is scored.

Rating: A numerical value assigned to a player’s skill level (e.g., DUPR, UTPR).

Rally Scoring: A scoring system (not typically used in official pickleball, but common in some casual play) where a point is awarded on every rally, regardless of which team served.

Ready Position: This refers to your body’s posture while you anticipate your opponent hitting their next shot. An effective ready position entails standing with your feet approximately shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and your paddle held out in front of your body.

Receiver: The player or team positioned to return the serve.

Re-Serve: When a fault occurs on a serve and the serving team gets to serve again, either from the same server or the second server.

Reset: This refers to a soft, defensive shot designed to land harmlessly within the opponent’s non-volley zone, thereby preventing them from exerting offensive pressure without significant risk.

Return of Serve: The shot hit by the receiving team that sends the ball back over the net after the serve has bounced once.

Roll Volley: A volley hit with an upward, rolling motion, imparting topspin on the ball to make it dip quickly over the net.

Round Robin: This is a tournament format where all players or teams compete against each other.

Rules Violation: Any action that breaks the official rules of pickleball, resulting in a fault or penalty.

Sandbag: This term describes players who compete in a tournament at a level lower than their official ranking.

Score: In doubles, the score announced after each rally includes three numbers: your team’s score, your opponent’s team’s score, and the server number. In singles, the score is composed of only two numbers: your score and your opponent’s score.

Scorpion: This is a counter-attack shot performed by the attacked player at the non-volley line, who squats low, raises their paddle above their head, and then smashes the ball towards their opponent’s feet or into an open area of the court.

Second Serve: In doubles, if the first server commits a fault, the second server on the team gets to serve. If they also fault, it results in a side out.

Seed: A player’s or team’s ranking in a tournament, used to determine their placement in the bracket. Higher seeds are typically separated to meet in later rounds.

Serve: The initial shot that starts a rally. It must be hit underhand, below the waist, and contact the ball below the highest part of the paddle head.

Serve Number: In doubles play, a number (1 or 2) announced by the server to indicate whether they are the first or second server for their team in that serving rotation.

Service Court: One of the two rectangular areas on each side of the net from which the serve must be hit and into which the serve must land.

Service Motion: This refers to the server’s arm movement, including both the backswing and forward swing, performed to serve the ball.

Service Team: This refers to the team that is serving in doubles.

Shake-n-Bake (slang): An aggressive strategy where after the third shot drop, one player quickly rushes the net while their partner hits a drive to create an opportunity for a put away volley.

Shot: Any instance of hitting the ball with the paddle.

Side Out: When the serving team loses the serve (either by committing a fault or failing to score a point), and the other team gets to serve.

Sideline: The lines that mark the outer boundaries of the pickleball court on its longer sides.

Singles: A match played with one player on each team (two players total) on the court.

Skinny Singles: This pickleball drill or game is played on half of the court against one other person. It provides great practice for doubles.

Slice: A shot hit with a downward, cutting motion, imparting backspin on the ball. (See also: Chop)

Slide Step: This footwork technique, used at the non-volley line, involves leading with your outside leg, stepping out, and sliding. This technique is typically more effective than crossing over with your feet.

Smash: A powerful overhead shot hit with force, typically used to return a high lob or an attackable ball for a put away. (See also: Overhead Smash)

Soft Game: A strategy focused on dinks, drop shots, and other soft shots to control the rally and force errors, rather than power.

Spin: The rotation of the ball imparted by the paddle during a shot, which can be topspin, backspin, or sidespin, affecting the ball’s trajectory and bounce.

Split Step: A small hop or step taken just before an opponent hits the ball, allowing a player to be balanced and ready to move in any direction.

Stacking: A doubles strategy where players intentionally position themselves in non-traditional sides of the court during serving or receiving to keep a particular player on their preferred side (e.g., forehand side) throughout the rally.

Starting Server: The player who starts the game by serving for each team.

Stay Out (of the Kitchen): A verbal cue used to remind a partner or oneself not to step into the non-volley zone while hitting a volley.

Stroke: The act of hitting the ball with the paddle.

Sweet Spot: The optimal area on the paddle face that generates the most power and control when hitting the ball.

Tagging: This refers to hitting your opponent with the ball, which is typically done intentionally.

Tattoo: Refers to the “imprint” of the pickleball on your body after being hit by the ball.

Technical Foul: A penalty assessed by the referee for unsportsmanlike conduct, rule violations, or dangerous play, often resulting in a point awarded to the opponent or a side out.

Third Shot Drop: A crucial strategic shot hit by the serving team after the serve and return of serve. It’s a soft drop shot designed to land in the opponent’s non-volley zone, allowing the serving team to advance to the net.

Third Shot Drive: An aggressive alternative to the third shot drop, where the serving team hits a powerful drive instead, aiming to force an error or weak return from the opponent.

Timeout: A brief break in play requested by a team or player during a match, typically to strategize or rest.

Topspin: A type of spin where the ball rotates forward (from top to bottom), causing it to dip quickly after clearing the net and bounce higher and faster.

Transition Game: The strategy and execution of moving from the baseline to the non-volley zone effectively, often using third shot drops and resets.

Transition Zone: The area of the court between the baseline and the non-volley zone where players are often moving from defense to offense or vice versa.

Tweener: This refers to a shot hit between the legs. Players will occasionally use it to return the ball from an awkward position, although some also perform it for show. Professional player Christian Alshon is known as the “Tweener King.”

Twist Serve (slang): A serve hit with significant sidespin or topspin to make the ball curve or bounce unpredictably.

Two-Bounce Rule: This is a unique rule in pickleball that requires the ball to bounce twice—once on the serve and again on the service return—before a player can hit it out of the air.

Underhand Serve: The required method for serving in pickleball, where the paddle contacts the ball below the waist and the highest part of the paddle head is below the wrist.

Unforced Error: A fault or mistake made by a player that is not directly caused by the opponent’s strong shot, such as hitting the ball out of bounds or into the net on a relatively easy shot.

UPTPR (USAPA Tournament Player Rating): This player rating is determined solely by an individual’s win/loss match results, considering the relative strength of their opponents.

USA Pickleball: The national governing body for the sport of pickleball in the United States, responsible for rules, rankings, and promoting the sport.

Volley: A shot hit out of the air before the ball bounces on the court. Players are not allowed to volley while standing in the non-volley zone.

Volley Llama (slang): An illegal volley hit by a player while they are standing within the non-volley zone or on the NVZ line. This results in a fault.

Volley Return: An aggressive return of a serve that is hit out of the air before it bounces, but this is an illegal shot under the double bounce rule.

Volleying Up: Hitting a volley with an upward motion, often defensively, to lift the ball over the net.

Waist: The level at which the paddle must contact the ball or below during a serve. Defined as the navel level.

Weighted Paddle: A paddle that has had weight added to it (e.g., with lead tape) to adjust its balance, power, or feel.

Winner: A shot that results in an immediate point for the hitting player or team, typically because the opponent cannot return it.

X-Court Shot: This term is a less common, but sometimes used, alternative or descriptive way to refer to a cross-court shot, emphasizing the diagonal path “across” the court. A cross-court shot travels from one side of the court to the opposite side, often aiming for the opponent’s even court or odd court depending on the server’s position. Mastering cross-court angles is fundamental to pickleball strategy.

Yips: This term describes someone who is unable to get their serve into the service box.

Zone: A general term referring to a specific area of the court, such as the non-volley zone or transition zone.

Pickleball’s vocabulary is constantly evolving! If there’s a term you’d like to see added to our ultimate glossary, or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We appreciate your feedback as we strive to keep this resource as comprehensive and accurate as possible.

This “Pickleball Terms & Definitions” glossary has been meticulously compiled and reviewed by a team of certified pickleball coaches and experienced players. All definitions pertaining to rules, scoring, and court specifications align directly with the latest official USA Pickleball rulebook to ensure you receive the most accurate and trustworthy information available. We are dedicated to providing a reliable resource for the pickleball community.