Pickleball Terms & Definitions: Everything Explained
Welcome to the ultimate guide to pickleball terms! Whether you're a newbie to the sport or a seasoned player, mastering the pickleball lingo before you hit the court will not only make you sound like a pro but also enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the game. Let's dive into the essential pickleball vocabulary you'll need to know before your next match.
The Basics
Pickleball
First things first, what is pickleball? Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It's played with perforated plastic pickleballs on a court similar to a badminton court but with a lower net. Now, let's get into the specific pickleball terms.
Pickleball Paddle
The paddle is what you use to hit the ball in pickleball. It's smaller than a tennis racket but larger than a ping-pong paddle. If you're looking to find the perfect paddle, check out our collection of pickleball paddles. If you don't know how to choose the right paddle for you, take a look at our Paddle Buying Guide or blog on Choosing Your Paddle.
Pickleball Court
The court dimensions are 20 feet by 44 feet for both singles and doubles play. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle.
Serving Terms
Serve
The serve is the action that starts each point. The player serving must hit the ball underhand and diagonally cross-court. The serve must land within the opposite diagonal service court in order to start each point.
Service Court
The service court is the area where the serve must land. There are two service courts on each side of the net, divided by the centerline. The kitchen, which will be discussed later in this article, is the only part of the pickleball court that's excluded from the four service courts.
Fault
Much like in tennis, a fault in pickleball is any action that stops play because of a rule violation. Common faults include serving in the kitchen or out of bounds, hitting the net with the serve, or volleying in the non-volley zone.
Key Gameplay Terms
Rally
A rally is the continuous play that occurs after the serve until a fault is committed. Points can only be scored by the serving team once the rally is complete.
Dink
A dink is a soft shot that is intended to land in the opponent's non-volley zone, ideally forcing them to hit the ball upward. Mastering the dink is crucial for your pickleball strategy.
Smash
A smash is a powerful overhead shot aimed to end the point by hitting the ball forcefully downward into the opponent's court.
Non-Volley Zone Terms
Non-Volley Zone ("The Kitchen")
The non-volley zone, commonly referred to as "the kitchen," is the seven-foot area on both sides of the net where you cannot volley the ball. You can only step into the kitchen if the ball bounces in that zone. You must then return to the volley zone before hitting your next shot. Stepping into the non-volley zone and volleying is a fault. Knowing when and how to approach the kitchen can give you a significant advantage.
Scoring Terms
Side Out
A side out occurs when the serving team loses the serve and the receiving team gets the opportunity to serve. In doubles play, each team has two serves (one for each player) before a side out occurs.
Point
Points are only tallied when the serving team wins. Games are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win the match by at least 2 points.
Let
A let is a serve that hits the net but still lands in the correct service court. The serve is replayed without a penalty. If the serve hits the net but does not land in the correct service court, the point is lost and the next person serves.
Advanced Terms
Double Bounce Rule
The double bounce rule states that the ball must bounce once on each side of the net before players can start volleying. This rule promotes longer rallies and adds more strategy to the game.
Erne
An Erne is an advanced shot where a player leaps over or around the non-volley zone to hit a volley close to the net. It's a flashy move that can catch opponents off guard. Be careful trying this one at home!
Third Shot Drop
A third shot drop is a soft shot played on the third shot of the rally, designed to land in the opponent's non-volley zone. It's a strategic move to gain control of the net, somewhat similar to a dink.
Fun Facts About Pickleball
- Origin Story: Pickleball was invented in 1965 by three dads—Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum—looking to entertain their kids.
- Rapid Growth: Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, with over 3.3 million players.
- Name Mystery: The origin of the name "pickleball" is disputed. Some say it was named after the inventor's dog, Pickles, while others claim it refers to a "pickle boat," a term from rowing.
For those ready to jump into the action, understanding these pickleball terms will help you communicate better on the court and elevate your game. Whether you're dinking in the kitchen or smashing from the baseline, the right pickleball vocabulary can make all the difference and will surely impress your teammate and competition.
Don't forget to explore more about the game and improve your skills with our detailed guide on How to Play Pickleball. Happy playing!
