Pickleball Glossary
Every pickleball term you need to know, from A to Z
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A
Ace
A serve that is not returned by the receiver, resulting in a point for the serving team.
Around the Post (ATP)
A shot hit around the outside of the net post rather than over the net. It is legal as long as the ball lands in the opponent's court.
B
Backhand
A shot hit on the non-dominant side of the body, with the back of the hand facing the net during the swing.
Backspin
Spin applied to the ball by brushing the paddle underneath it, causing the ball to rotate backward and bounce lower.
Backswing
The backward motion of the paddle before swinging forward to strike the ball.
Baseline
The line at the back of the court, 22 feet from the net. Serves are made from behind the baseline.
Bert
An advanced shot similar to an Erne, but performed by crossing in front of your partner to volley the ball on their side of the court near the net post.
C
Carry
An illegal shot where the ball rests on the paddle and is slung or thrown rather than cleanly struck.
Centerline
The line that divides each side of the court into left and right service areas, running from the kitchen line to the baseline.
Crosscourt
A shot hit diagonally from one side of the court to the opposite side.
D
Dead Ball
A ball that is no longer in play after a fault or other stoppage.
Dink
A soft, controlled shot hit from near the kitchen line that arcs gently over the net and lands in the opponent's non-volley zone. A fundamental skill in competitive pickleball.
Double Bounce Rule
Also called the two-bounce rule. The ball must bounce once on each side of the net before either team may volley. The serve must bounce, and the return of serve must bounce.
Down the Line
A shot hit straight along the sideline, parallel to the edge of the court.
Drive
A hard, flat shot hit with power, intended to move through the court quickly and pressure the opponent.
Drop Serve
A serve where the ball is dropped (not tossed) from any natural height and hit after it bounces. There are no restrictions on the height or manner of the drop.
Drop Shot
A soft shot that arcs over the net and lands near the kitchen, used to neutralize an opponent's position or transition to the net.
E
Erne
An advanced shot where a player moves outside the sideline to volley the ball near the net post, bypassing the kitchen restrictions. Named after player Erne Perry.
F
Fault
A rule violation that results in a dead ball and ends the rally. Examples include hitting the ball out of bounds, into the net, or volleying from the kitchen.
Foot Fault
A fault called when the server steps on or over the baseline before making contact with the ball on the serve.
Forehand
A shot hit on the dominant side of the body, with the palm of the hand facing the net during the swing.
H
Half-Volley
A shot where the ball is struck immediately after it bounces, while it is still very low to the ground.
K
Kitchen
The informal name for the non-volley zone (NVZ), the 7-foot area on each side of the net where volleying is prohibited.
Kitchen Line
The line marking the boundary of the non-volley zone, located 7 feet from the net on each side.
L
Let
A serve that hits the top of the net and lands in the correct service area. In pickleball, lets are played (the ball remains in play and is not re-served).
Lob
A high, arcing shot hit over the opponent's head, intended to push them away from the net and toward the baseline.
M
Midcourt
The area of the court between the kitchen line and the baseline, sometimes called no-man's-land because it is a weak defensive position.
N
Net Post
The vertical poles that hold up the net, positioned at the sidelines. The net is 36 inches high at the posts and 34 inches at the center.
No-Man's-Land
The midcourt area between the kitchen line and the baseline, considered a weak position because players are vulnerable to shots at their feet.
Non-Volley Zone (NVZ)
The 7-foot area on each side of the net where players are not allowed to volley the ball. Also called the kitchen.
O
Overhead
A shot hit above the head with a downward motion, similar to a tennis smash. Used to put away high balls and lobs.
P
Paddle
The solid-faced racket used to hit the ball in pickleball. Made from materials such as graphite, carbon fiber, fiberglass, or composite materials.
Passing Shot
A shot hit past an opponent who is positioned at the net, usually down the line or at a sharp angle.
Poach
In doubles, when a player crosses into their partner's area to intercept and hit a ball, usually at the net for an aggressive volley.
Punch Volley
A firm, compact volley hit with a short, punching motion rather than a full swing. Used to return hard-hit balls at the net.
R
Rally
A continuous exchange of shots between players after the serve until a fault occurs or the ball is otherwise put out of play.
Rally Scoring
A scoring system where a point is awarded on every rally, regardless of which team served. Games are typically played to 21 with rally scoring.
Ready Position
The athletic stance a player takes between shots: knees slightly bent, paddle up in front of the body, weight on the balls of the feet.
Reset
A defensive shot that absorbs the pace of a hard-hit ball and returns it softly, usually as a drop into the kitchen, to regain a neutral rally position.
S
Serve
The underhand shot that begins each rally. Must be hit below the waist with an upward arc, diagonally to the opponent's service area.
Server Number
In doubles side-out scoring, the designation of first server (1) or second server (2). When the first server loses the rally, the second server serves. When the second server loses, service goes to the other team.
Service Area
The area behind the kitchen on each side of the centerline where serves must land. Each service area is 10 feet wide and 15 feet deep.
Side-Out
The transfer of serve from one team to the other after both players on the serving team have lost their serves (in doubles) or the server has lost the rally (in singles).
Side-Out Scoring
The traditional scoring system in pickleball where only the serving team can score points. Games are played to 11, win by 2.
Sideline
The lines running the length of the court on each side, marking the boundary of in-play area.
Skinny Singles
A singles variation played on only half the court (one service area per side), useful for practice and for players who find full-court singles too demanding.
Slice
A shot hit with backspin by brushing under the ball, causing it to stay low after bouncing.
Speedup
A sudden hard shot hit from a soft dinking rally, intended to catch the opponent off guard and win the point with pace.
Split Step
A small hop or step that a player takes just as the opponent hits the ball, allowing them to react quickly in any direction.
Stacking
A doubles positioning strategy where both players line up on the same side of the court before a serve or return, then move to their preferred positions once the ball is in play.
T
Third Shot Drop
A strategic soft shot hit by the serving team on the third shot of the rally, aimed to land in or near the opponent's kitchen, allowing the serving team to advance to the net.
Topspin
Spin applied by brushing the paddle up and over the ball, causing it to rotate forward, dip faster, and bounce higher.
Transition Zone
The area between the baseline and the kitchen line where a player moves during a rally to get to the net. Also called no-man's-land.
Tweener
A shot hit between the legs, usually as a last resort to return a lob that has gotten past the player.
V
Volley
Hitting the ball out of the air before it bounces. Volleys are not allowed while standing in the non-volley zone.
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