A-C
- Ace: A serve that lands in bounds and is untouched by the opponent, scoring a point instantly.
- Approach Shot: A shot hit while moving toward the net, setting up for a more offensive position.
- Around the Post (ATP): A low, angled shot that travels around the net post rather than over the net.
- Backcourt: The area near the baseline, typically where players stand to defend deep shots or returns.
- Backhand: A shot hit on the non-dominant side of the body, usually with the back of the hand facing the opponent.
- Backspin: A shot with a reverse spin, causing the ball to slow down or stop on landing.
- Backswing: The movement of the paddle going back before hitting the ball, a critical part of shot preparation.
- Banger: A player who frequently hits hard, powerful shots, often avoiding softer finesse shots.
- Baseline: The back boundary line of the court, from where serves are made and deep shots are returned.
- Bert: An advanced move where a player from the backcourt switches with their partner to intercept a shot.
- Blast Off: A powerful, aggressive shot intended to drive past or overwhelm the opponent.
- Body Bag: A shot that hits an opponent's body, resulting in a point.
- Bounce It: A call to allow the ball to bounce rather than attempt a volley.
- Carry: An illegal stroke where the ball is "carried" on the paddle instead of a clean hit.
- Centerline: The line dividing the two service courts on each side, running from the baseline to the kitchen.
- Champion Shot: A skillful, impressive shot that typically wins the rally.
- Chop: A slicing shot that imparts backspin to the ball.
- Cross-Court: A shot hit diagonally across the court, from one corner to the other.
D-F
- Dead Ball: A ball that is out of play due to a fault or rule infraction.
- Dig: A defensive shot taken low to the ground, often in response to a powerful shot.
- Dillball: A ball that’s still in play and has been legally struck by both sides.
- Dink: A soft shot intended to drop just over the net into the opponent's non-volley zone.
- Dinner: Slang for an easy shot that can be “eaten up” or capitalized on.
- Double-Bounce Rule: The rule that the ball must bounce once on each side before it can be volleyed.
- Double Bounce: When a ball bounces twice on one side, resulting in a fault.
- Doubles Pickleball: A standard format where two players are on each team.
- Double Hit: A fault where a player hits the ball more than once on a single stroke.
- Down the Line: A shot hit straight down the sideline of the court.
- Drive: A hard-hit shot with minimal arc, aimed to challenge the opponent’s defense.
- Drop Shot: A soft shot aimed just over the net to force the opponent forward.
- Drop Spin: A drop shot executed with spin to make it harder to return.
- Erne: A shot played near the sideline with the player positioned outside the non-volley zone.
- Face: The striking surface of the paddle.
- Falafel: A weak shot made without enough power, resulting in a "dead" or ineffective shot.
- Fault: Any rule violation that stops play, such as a double bounce or a foot fault.
- Flapjack: A ball that must bounce before it can be hit; typically applies to the serve or return.
- Flat Face: Holding the paddle perpendicular to the ground to minimize spin on contact.
- Flick Shot: A quick wrist shot that generates speed and surprise.
- Follow Through: The motion of the paddle after it contacts the ball.
- Foot Fault: When a player steps on or over the baseline during the serve or enters the non-volley zone to volley.
- Forehand: A stroke hit on the dominant side of the body with the palm facing forward.
G-K
- Game: A unit of play, usually to 11 points, won by a team with a lead of at least 2 points.
- Golden Pickle: Winning a game without allowing the opponent to score a single point.
- Grip: The method of holding the paddle, which can vary for control or power.
- Groundstroke: A shot made after the ball bounces on the court.
- Half Volley: A shot hit just after the ball bounces, requiring quick reaction.
- Head: The top part of the paddle where the face meets the edge.
- Hinder: Any interference that prevents fair play, often leading to a replay.
- Kitchen: Another term for the non-volley zone, extending 7 feet from each side of the net.
L-O
- Layout: Diving or lunging to reach a ball, often impressively.
- Let: A serve that clips the net but lands in bounds, allowing a replay.
- Line Calls: Decisions made by players to determine if the ball landed in or out.
- Lob: A high-arching shot designed to go over the opponents’ heads, forcing them backward.
- Midcourt: The area between the kitchen and baseline, often a transitional zone.
- Nasty Nelson: A serve aimed at an opponent, intended to create a point or distraction.
- Non-Volley Zone (NVZ): The area close to the net where volleying is not allowed.
- Overhead Shot: A shot hit above the head, often as a smash or put-away.
- Overhead Slam: A powerful, downward shot executed from above the head.
- OPA: A term indicating the third shot is complete, and volleys are now allowed.
- Open Face: Holding the paddle face at an upward angle to lift or spin the ball.
P-R
- Paddy: Slang for a hard, aggressive shot aimed at the opponent’s body.
- Painting the Line: Hitting the ball precisely on the sideline or baseline.
- Passing Shot: A shot that travels past an opponent, typically down the line or cross-court.
- Permanent Object: Anything outside the court boundaries, such as the net post or fencing.
- Pickle: The term for scoring zero points in a game (similar to a "shutout").
- Pickleball Paddle: The equipment used to hit the ball, available in various materials.
- Pickled: Losing a game without scoring any points.
- Pickledome: A playful nickname for the court or place where pickleball is played.
- Pickler: An avid pickleball enthusiast or player.
- Poach: When a player crosses to their partner’s side to intercept a shot.
- Put Away: A powerful, decisive shot intended to end the rally.
- Punch Shot: A short, controlled shot with minimal follow-through.
- Rally: The continuous exchange of shots between teams until a point is scored.
- Rally Score System: A scoring system in which points can be won on any rally, not just when serving.
- Ready Position: The stance taken to prepare for the next shot, with knees bent and paddle up.
- Receiver: The player positioned to return the serve.
- Replays: Points replayed due to a let or hinder.
- Reset: A controlled, soft shot that slows down the game, usually returning a fast shot.
S-U
- Second Serve: The second serve attempt by a doubles team before a side-out.
- Serve: The underhand shot used to start each rally.
- Serve Number: The identifier for which player is serving on a doubles team.
- Service Court: The designated area where the serve must land to be in play.
- Service Out Side Scoring: Traditional scoring where only the serving team can score points.
- Shadowing: The act of following or mirroring an opponent’s movement.
- Sideline: The boundary lines along the side of the court.
- Side-Out: The loss of service, granting the opposing team the serve.
- Singles: A one-on-one game format.
- Slice: A shot with sidespin, causing the ball to curve.
- Smash: A powerful, downward shot often used to end a rally.
- Split Step: A preparatory hop that players use to get ready for the next shot.
- Stacking: A doubles strategy where players switch positions to optimize their strengths.
- Stroke: Any motion of hitting the ball, including forehand, backhand, and volleys.
- Technical Foul: A penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct or rule-breaking.
- Third Shot Drop: A soft, controlled shot on the third hit to slow the game.
- Topspin: Spin causing the ball to drop quickly, enhancing control.
- Transition Zone: The area between the baseline and kitchen, requiring quick movement.
- Truck Driver: A powerful, aggressive shot, often from midcourt.
- Two Bounce Rule: The requirement that the ball bounces once on each side before it can be volleyed.
- Unattackable Ball: A shot so low that the opponent cannot return it with an offensive shot.
V-Z
- Volley: Hitting the ball in the air before it bounces, allowed only outside the non-volley zone.
- Volley Llama: A playful term for an illegal volley made from within the kitchen.