101 Pickleball Terms and Their Definition

Pickleball is a game with basic rules. It is easy to learn but hard to master. If you’re a beginner, you might encounter some common pickleball terms that may be uncommon.

Do you usually hear the word dink or kitchen? Are they confusing? Like why would a pickleball have a kitchen, right? Don’t worry, we made a comprehensive guide of common and uncommon pickleball terms and definitions to help you. Here are the 101 pickleball terms you need to learn. Don't worry, you don't have to memorize them. Just familiarize yourself with these pickleball terms and as you keep on playing, you'll eventually know them by heart.

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Basic Equipment and Playing Areas

Baseline

The baseline is the line at the back of the court is parallel to the net. You have to stand behind this when making a serve.

Court

A pickleball court is a rectangular area where you play the game in. It consists of a net and different lines to separate areas in the court. This usually measures 44 feet long and 20 feet wide.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the ability of a pickleball paddle to help the player execute a shot properly even if the ball is off-center.

Kitchen

The kitchen in pickleball is the area in the center of the court where you can’t do volley shots. This is also called a Non-Volley Zone or NVZ and measures 7 inches on each side of the net.

Net

The net is what divides the court between you and your enemy. You must successfully let the ball pass the net to your opponent during the game. This measures 36 inches on the sides and 34 inches in the middle.

Non-Volley zone

The Non-Volley Zone is called a kitchen and NVZ for short. The part in the middle of the court where you can’t do volley shots.

Paddle

A paddle is a flat object that is used to hit the ball in pickleball. It can be made of wooden or composite materials. It has a sweet spot where the ball has to land during contact. There are different pickleball paddle size and shapes depending on its performance and feel.

Pickleball

Pickleball is what the game is called. This is also what the game’s perforated plastic ball is called.

Pickleball Bag

A pickleball bag specifically made to carry your pickleball essentials like your paddle, spare paddle, pickleballs, pickleball apparel, water, and snacks.

Pickleball Court Marker

A pickleball court marker is a tool used to mark the lines of a pickleball court. This is to ensure that the court is properly lined or to make a temporary court. You can use chalk or tape, or there are pickleball court marker kits that are sold for this purpose.

Pickleball Paddle Cover

A pickleball paddle cover is a tool used to protect your pickleball paddle from damage.

Sweet Spot

The sweet spot is the area in the pickleball paddle where the ball is hit with maximum power and control.

Gameplay and Scoring

Doubles

Doubles is a category in the game where each team has two players each. There are Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles, and Mixed Doubles categories in tournaments and leagues. 

Fault 

A fault is anything that violates pickleball’s rules. Once you or your partner commits a fault, the serve will go to your opponent and they will have the chance to get a score.

Non-Volley Zone Violation 

The non-volley zone violation happens when players volley in the kitchen or NVZ or they step into it accidentally because of momentum.

Return 

Return is the act of returning the ball to your opponent. You can use any shot for this.

Return of Serve

The return of serve is the act of returning the serve. Not to be confused with a return.

Serve

The serve is the first shot to start a pickleball game. If a team commits a fault, the seve will be given to the other team and the game will begin again. This can be done as an underhand or drop shot and the ball has to travel diagonally across the court. Only one serve is allowed per team and if you do it incorrectly, it will result in a fault and the serve will go to the opponent.

Sideout

Sideout is when the serving team makes a fault and the serve is given to the opponent. It literally means that your “side” is “out”.

Singles

Singles is a category in the game where only two people are playing, one of each team. There's a Women's Singles and Men's Singles category in tournaments and leagues. 

Two-Bounce Rule

The two-bounce rule happens after a serve only. The opponent must let the ball bounce first before hitting it. After the return of serve, the serving team must also let the ball bounce first before hitting it.

Underhand serve 

An underhand serve is a type of serve where you hit the ball without letting it bounce and in an upward motion below the waist.

Shots and Strategies

Accuracy

Accuracy is the ability to place the ball where you want it “accurately”. There are pickleball paddles that focus on accuracy.

Backhand

Backhand is a technique where the back of your hand faces the net when you’re hitting the ball. In this technique, you place your hand across your body to the other side to hit the ball.

Banana Shot

A banana shot curves around your enemy and lands behind them, making it difficult for them to hit. This shot resembles a banana’s shape, hence the name. This is a more advanced shot and was made famous by Rafael Nadal.

Block 

The block is a defensive shot that is used to stop your opponent’s powerful or aggressive shot without hitting the ball. You “block” the ball by putting your paddle in front of you and letting the ball bounce off.

Control

Control is the ability to precisely manipulate where the ball is placed. This involves hitting the ball properly using different shots. This is usually used when putting a spin on the ball.

Defensive

A defensive play is a strategy in pickleball where you play to neutralize your opponent’s aggressive shots and create opportunities for yourself or your team to transition to offensive play.

Dig

The dig is a low shot that is done by doing a “digging” manner. This is when the ball is about to drop near your feet.

Dink

The dink in pickleball is a soft shot that goes just over the net. This is usually done to neutralize your opponent.

Drive 

The drive is a  powerful groundstroke that has a low trajectory. This is an offensive shot that aims to land near your opponent’s feet to force them backward.

Drop Shot

The drop shot is an offensive shot that should land softly in your opponent’s kitchen or NVZ to make it harder for them to hit.

Forehand 

Forehand is a technique where your palm faces the net when you’re hitting the ball. This is usually how you would hit the ball.

Groundstroke 

A groundstroke in pickleball is a shot that is hit after the ball bounces.

Lob 

A pickleball lob is a high, arcing shot that goes over the net and is intended to land near your opponent’s baseline.

Offensive

Offensive strategy is where you play aggressively until your opponent makes a fault and you either get to serve (if you’re not the serving team) or you get a point (if you’re the serving team).

Poaching

Poaching is a strategy where you go to your opponent’s side of the court to “steal” the shot that is intended for them. This is usually done during offensive play. Sidenote: Your partner should be aware of what poaching is and you have to talk about this first before playing. 

Power

Power is the ability to hit the ball with force. 

Slice

Slice is a technique of putting a backward spin on the ball.

Smash

A smash in pickleball is a powerful or aggressive overhead shot. This is usually done to disrupt your opponent.

Spin

Spin is the rotation of the ball.

Third Drop Shot

The third drop shot in pickleball is the shot you make after your opponent returns the serve.

Topspin

Topsin is a technique of putting a forward spin on the ball.

Tweener

The tweener is an advanced shot that is made by hitting the ball between the legs.

Volley

A volley is an essential shot where the ball is hit before it bounces off the ground. This can only be made outside the Non-Volley Zone or kitchen.

Organizations and Leagues

DUPR

The Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating, or DUPR, is the most accurate rating system in the world.

MLP

The Major League Pickleball is one of the biggest leagues for pickleball in the USA. 

PPA Tour

The Professional Pickleball Association Tour is another biggest league for pickleball in the USA.

Rating

A player’s skill level. The higher your rating is, the more skilled you are.

USAPA

The USA Pickleball (USAP), usually referred to as USAPA, is the governing body of pickleball in the USA. It also hosts annual tournaments.

Other Pickleball Types

Adaptive Pickleball

Adaptive pickleball is pickleball for disabled people where the rules are slightly modified to cater to the players’ disabilities. It can be for wheelchair-bound people, hearing and visually impaired, or mentally disabled.

Para Pickleball

Para Pickleball is also called wheelchair pickleball where people in wheelchairs play the sport. 

Other

Clinic

Clinic is a training session where pickleball players gather to share lessons and tips about the game.

Pickleball Elbow

A pickleball-related injury caused by repetitive stress on the elbow.

These are the common (and uncommon) terms in pickleball. Knowing these terms can help you in getting better at the game. Some terms can be confusing at first, but as you learn about them, you’ll find that they’re easier to understand and remember.