The Ultimate Pickleball Dictionary: Mastering the Lingo of America’s Fastest-Growing Sport

Pickleball, the fast-paced paddle sport that’s sweeping across the United States, has a unique vocabulary all its own. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, understanding the terminology is crucial to fully immerse yourself in the game. This comprehensive pickleball dictionary will help you navigate the courts with confidence, impressing your fellow players and enhancing your overall experience.

Essential Pickleball Terms for Beginners

The Basics

Before diving into the more advanced terminology, let’s start with the fundamental terms every pickleball player should know:

Dink

The dink is a cornerstone shot in pickleball, unique to this sport. It’s a soft, controlled shot executed from the kitchen line (non-volley zone) that just barely clears the net and lands in the opponent’s kitchen. Mastering the dink is crucial for developing a strong strategic game. When performed correctly, it forces your opponent to hit up on the ball, potentially creating an opportunity for you to attack.

Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)

The kitchen, officially known as the non-volley zone, is the 7-foot area on both sides of the net where players are not allowed to volley (hit the ball out of the air). This rule creates a strategic element to the game, preventing players from dominating play at the net and encouraging longer rallies.

Two Bounce Rule

The two bounce rule is a fundamental aspect of pickleball that sets it apart from other racquet sports. This rule stipulates that the ball must bounce once on each side of the court before players are allowed to volley. Specifically, the serving team must let the return of serve bounce before hitting it. This rule helps to neutralize the serving advantage and promotes longer rallies.

Side Out

A side out occurs when the serve changes from one team to the other. In singles, this happens when the server loses a point. In doubles, it occurs when the serving team loses a point on their second serve. Understanding side outs is crucial for keeping track of the score and service rotation.

Shots and Strategies

Drive

A drive is a powerful, low shot hit with pace from the baseline or transition area. The goal of a drive is to put pressure on your opponents, forcing them to make a mistake or creating an opportunity for you to advance to the kitchen line. Mastering the drive can be a game-changer, especially when your opponents are out of position.

Drop

A drop shot is a finesse shot hit from the baseline or transition area that is designed to land softly in the kitchen or just behind the kitchen line. The purpose of a drop shot is to neutralize your opponents’ advantage at the net and allow you to move forward to the kitchen line. Executing a good drop shot requires touch and precision.

Volley

A volley is any shot hit out of the air before the ball bounces. Volleys are a crucial part of pickleball strategy, allowing players to react quickly and maintain offensive pressure. However, remember that volleys cannot be executed while standing in the kitchen.

Poach

Poaching occurs in doubles when one player intercepts a ball intended for their partner. This aggressive move is often seen when one player is at the kitchen line and their partner is further back in the court. Effective poaching can catch opponents off guard and end points quickly.

Advanced Pickleball Terminology

As you progress in your pickleball journey, you’ll encounter more advanced terms and strategies. Let’s explore some of these concepts:

Specialized Shots

ATP (Around the Post)

An ATP, or Around the Post shot, is an advanced technique where the ball is hit around the side of the net post instead of over the net. This shot is legal in pickleball as long as the ball lands in the opponent’s court. ATP shots can be extremely effective when executed properly, often resulting in a winner as they’re difficult to anticipate and return.

Erne

An Erne is a highly advanced shot where a player quickly moves around or jumps over the kitchen to volley a ball close to the net. This shot is named after Erne Perry, a player known for popularizing this technique. Ernes are used to surprise opponents and hit aggressive shots from a position very close to the net.

Bert

A Bert is similar to an Erne but involves crossing from one side of the court to the other. For example, a player might start on the left side of the court, leap over the kitchen, and hit a volley on the right side. This shot requires excellent court awareness and agility.

Strategic Concepts

Shake and Bake

The Shake and Bake is an offensive strategy combining a hard drive (the “shake”) followed by an aggressive volley (the “bake”). This technique, popularized by players like Morgan Evans and Marcin Rozanski, aims to force a weak return from the opponents, setting up an easy put-away shot.

Body Bag

A body bag occurs when a player is hit with the ball during play. While not a formal term, it’s commonly used in competitive pickleball. Hitting your opponent with the ball is a legitimate strategy to win points, especially in high-level play where players have less time to react to hard shots.

Scoring and Game Play

Pickle

A pickle refers to an 11-0 shutout victory in a game of pickleball. If this shutout is achieved without any side outs, it’s known as a “Golden Pickle.” While rare, these terms add a fun element to the competitive aspect of the game.

Nasty Nelson

A Nasty Nelson is a serve that intentionally hits the opponent. If a serve hits the receiving player before bouncing, the serving team is awarded the point. This is a controversial move and is generally considered poor sportsmanship in recreational play.

Professional Pickleball Organizations

As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, several professional organizations have emerged to promote and regulate the sport at the highest levels:

APP (Association of Pickleball Professionals)

The APP is one of the leading professional pickleball tours, offering competitive events and promoting the growth of the sport.

PPA (Professional Pickleball Association)

The PPA is another major professional pickleball tour, featuring top players and high-stakes tournaments.

MLP (Major League Pickleball)

Major League Pickleball is a team-based professional pickleball league, bringing a new format to competitive play.

Rating Systems

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating)

The DUPR system is a global rating system for pickleball players, providing a standardized method for assessing skill levels across different regions and tournaments.

Conclusion: Embracing the Pickleball Lingo

Understanding the unique terminology of pickleball is essential for fully enjoying and excelling at the sport. From basic concepts like the dink and the kitchen to advanced strategies like the Shake and Bake, each term represents a crucial aspect of the game. As you continue to play and improve, you’ll find yourself naturally incorporating these terms into your pickleball vocabulary.

Remember, pickleball is not just about the physical skills; it’s also about strategy, communication, and community. By mastering the lingo, you’ll be better equipped to discuss tactics with partners, understand coaching advice, and fully engage with the vibrant pickleball community.

Whether you’re a casual player or aspiring pro, keep this pickleball dictionary handy as you navigate the courts. And don’t be afraid to ask more experienced players about terms you don’t understand – the pickleball community is known for its friendliness and willingness to help newcomers.

As the sport continues to evolve, new terms and strategies will undoubtedly emerge. Stay curious, keep learning, and most importantly, have fun on the courts!