Understanding the game of Pickleball can take time and the terminology can make it feel even more challenging. In this ‘learning the lingo’ blog, we’ll break down essential terms every player should know, helping you step onto the court with confidence.
| General | |
|---|---|
| Kitchen or Non-Volley Zone(NVZ) | The area within 7 feet of the net on both sides, where players cannot hit the ball in the air (volley) unless the player is standing outside this zone. However, a player may step into the kitchen to hit a ball if it bounces first. |
| Side Out | When the serving team fails to score a point and the serve goes to the opposing team. |
| Double-Bounce Rule | When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then the serving team must let it bounce before returning, thus two bounces. |
| Getting Pickled | When a team loses a game with zero points scored. For example, if the score is 11-0, the losing team was pickled. |
| Golden Pickle | A variant of "getting pickled" where the winning team beats the other team 11-0 without losing the serve (starting and finishing with the same server.) |
| The Shots | |
|---|---|
| Dink | A soft shot hit near the net to force an opponent into a delicate exchange. |
| Drive | A powerful, low shot aimed to keep opponents on the defensive. |
| Lob | A high-arching shot designed to push opponents back or reset a point. |
| Drop Shot | A controlled shot that falls softly into the opponent’s non-volley zone. |
| Volley | A shot hit before the ball bounces, often used in quick exchanges at the net. |
| Smash | A forceful overhead shot meant to finish the point. |
| Block | A defensive shot used to absorb an opponent’s power and control the ball. |
| Punch | A quick, compact stroke where a player pushes the ball forward with a firm wrist rather than a full swing - ususally from the kitchen line. |
| Erne | A unique, strategic shot where the player jumps near the sideline to hit the ball before it reaches the kitchen. |
| Nasty Nelson | When the server deliberately aims/hits the opponent positioned at the kitchen line instead of landing in the correct court quadrant – gaining a point. |
| ATP | Around the Post shot. This is an advanced shot where a player hits the ball around the net post instead of over the net. It’s usually executed when the ball is sent wide off the court |
| Spins | |
|---|---|
| Topspin | The ball rotates forward, causing it to dip quickly and bounce higher after hitting the court. It’s useful for aggressive shots that stay in play and force opponents into defensive positions. |
| Backspin (Slice or Underspin) | The ball rotates backward, making it skid and stay low after bouncing. This spin is great for slowing the game down, creating tricky returns, or forcing errors from opponents. |
| Sidespin | The ball rotates sideways, curving left or right in the air. Players use this to disrupt their opponent's positioning or create unpredictable bounces. |
| No Spin (Flat Shot) | A shot hit cleanly without spin. While it lacks movement, a well-placed flat shot can be effective for power and precision. |
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