PickleTerms (Glossary)

Below are definitions of frequently used words or phrases in the game of pickleball.

Ace:  a serve that is not returned by the opponent.

Approach Shot:  a shot hit forehand or backhand while running up to the net.

Around the Post:  a shot hit from out-of-bounds that returns to the opponent's side by traveling around the net post, rather than over the net.

Banger:  a type of player who hits hard, fast drives. The opposite of a Dinker.

Baseline:  the line at the back of the pickleball court.

Bert: an advanced shot where the pickleball is volleyed (hit out of the air) as the player jumps through the Non-Volley Zone (AKA the Kitchen) from the opposite side of the court, i.e., from the left side and landing outside the right sideline or vice versa. See also: Erne

Bounce It:  a directive from your partner to let the ball bounce – because your partner thinks it will land out of bounds.

Carry:  hitting the ball in such a way that it skims along the face of the paddle during its forward motion.

Centerline:  the line bisecting the service courts that goes from the non-volley zone line to the baseline, extending past the baseline by imagination (for legal serves).

Crosscourt:  the opponent’s court diagonally opposite yours.

Dead Ball:  a ball ruled unplayable after a fault.

Dink:  a soft, low shot initiated from within or just behind the non-volley zone that lands in the opponent’s non-volley zone.

Dinker:  a player who hits soft, low shots to slow the pace of the game.

Double-Bounce Rule:  After a serve, each team must play their first shot off a bounce, after which the ball can be returned off a bounce or volley. See also: Third-Shot Drop/Drive

Down The Line:  a shot hit near a sideline that travels close and parallel to the same line.

Drive:  a hard, low fast-paced offensive shot.

Drop Shot:  a soft shot, usually initiated from mid to backcourt, that arcs just over the net and lands within the opponent’s non-volley zone.

Drop Serve: a legal serve where the player drops the ball and strikes it after it bounces. (Note: The ball must be dropped. Player cannot force the ball by throwing down or up into the air.)

Erne : an advanced shot where the pickleball is volleyed (hit out of the air) as the player jumps around or through the Non-Volley Zone (AKA the Kitchen). See also: Bert

Fault:  an infringement of the rules that ends the rally.

Follow-through:  the continuous motion of your swing from the strike of the ball toward the direction you wish the ball to travel.

Foot Fault:  occurs when a player steps on or past the baseline or outside the boundaries of the imaginary extensions of the sideline or centerline during a serve before striking the ball. Also occurs when player steps into the non-volley zone (or touches the non-volley line with their foot/feet) during a volley or after. (See NVZ/Kitchen Fault)

Ground Stroke:  a stroke made after the ball has bounced.

Half-Volley:  a shot when the player hits the ball immediately after it has bounced in an almost scoop-like fashion.

Kitchen:  an affectionate name used for the non-volley zone (NVZ).

Let Serve:  A serve that sees the ball touching the top of the net and landing in the proper service court. As of 2021, the USAPA has removed the let serve from pickleball.

Lob Shot:  a shot that sends the ball high overhead and deep, forcing the opponent back to the baseline.

Mid Court:  the area between the non-volley zone and the baseline.  Also called “No Man's Land."

Non-Volley Line: the line surrounding the Non-Volley Zone. (Note: Serves that fall short and touch the Non-Volley Line are considered out.)

Non-Volley Zone (NVZ):  the 7' x 20' box between the net and the start of mid court, inclusive of the Non-Volley Line.

NVZ / Kitchen Fault:  occurs when any part of a player (or their equipment) touches the NVZ and the surrounding lines during or after volleying a ball. (Note: Fault can occur when player drops paddle or their hat falls off into the NVZ after volleying.)

Overhead Shot:  a shot made with the paddle over head-height.  Often synonymous with a smash or a slam, although it can refer to any shot made at that height, whether hard or soft.

Passing Shot:  a shot that passes beyond the reach of the player and lands in bounds.  Typically played against an opponent who is advancing on the non-volley zone or who is already there.

Poach:  in doubles, when a player crosses over into their partner’s area to play a ball.

Put-away (aka Winner, aka Finishing Shot):  an un-returnable shot.

Rally:  hitting the ball back and forth between opponents.

Serve / Service:  a forehand or backhand upward stroke that is hit below the waist (bellybutton) to put the ball into play at the beginning of a point.

Serve Number:  in doubles play, either “1” or “2” depending on whether you are the first or second server for your side.  This number is appended to the score when it is called.

Service Area:  the 15' x 20' area between the back of the baseline to just before the Non-Volley Line, including the sidelines, but not including the Non-Volley Line.

Sideline:  the line at the side of the court, starting where the Non-Volley Zone Line ends, continuing to the baseline, and extending past the baseline by imagination (for legal serves).

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Smash or Slam:  a hard, overhead shot.

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Stacking:  an advanced team posture in doubles, where players stay in their preferred side-by-side formation.

Technical Foul:  follows a technical warning by the referee of a rule or behavioural infraction by a player. The referee will dock a point. If the player has no points, a point will be awarded to the opposing player.

Technical Warning:  a warning given by the referee that a player has committed a rule or behavioural infraction.

Third-Shot Drop: after the double-bounce rule is followed, a drop shot into the opponent's NVZ.

Third-Shot Drive: after the double-bounce rule is followed, a fast-paced forehand or backhand shot toward the opponent's court.

Volley:  hitting the ball before it bounces.