Glossary

An ace is a serve that lands in the correct service court untouched by the receiver. It earns the serving team a point without a return from the opponent.

The backhand is a shot executed on the side of your body opposite to your dominant hand. It involves using the back of the paddle to strike the ball.

The baseline is the back boundary line of the pickleball court. Shots played from the baseline are often strategic in setting up plays and controlling the game's rhythm.

Blocking is a defensive shot where the player redirects the ball with minimal swing, often in response to a powerful shot from the opponent. It requires precise timing and positioning.

A dead ball refers to a ball that is not in play, often due to a fault or a violation of the rules. Play stops temporarily until a valid serve is made.

A dink is a gentle, controlled shot that clears the net at a low trajectory, then softly lands within the non-volley zone. Players use dinks to maintain control and set up strategic plays.

The double bounce rule mandates that each team must let the ball bounce once on their side before they can start volleying. It ensures balanced play and strategic opportunities.

A drive is a powerful, flat shot hit with speed. It's aimed at quickly moving the ball across the court, putting pressure on opponents.

The drive volley is a shot executed in midair before the ball bounces. It's a powerful shot aimed at quickly returning the ball and maintaining control.

A drop shot involves delicately tapping the ball over the net, causing it to fall close to the net on the opponent's side. It's a finesse shot that catches opponents off-guard.

The Ernie is a tactical maneuver where a player quickly moves from the center of the court to hit a shot on the sideline. It's a surprise shot that disrupts the opponent's expectations.

Fast Four is a shortened version of pickleball, played to four points instead of the usual 11 or 21. It's a quick and dynamic format that offers exciting gameplay.

A fault is a violation of the rules during a serve. It can occur due to a variety of reasons, including stepping on the baseline, hitting the net, or serving out of bounds.

A foot fault occurs when a server's foot touches or crosses the baseline before the ball is struck. It results in a fault and a loss of serve, highlighting the importance of proper positioning.

The forehand is a shot executed on the side of your body corresponding to your dominant hand. It's a powerful and versatile shot used for various strokes.

Game point is the point that, if won, gives a player or team the victory in a game. It's a crucial moment that often adds intensity and drama to the match.

A groundstroke is a shot hit after the ball bounces, typically from the baseline. Groundstrokes are essential for controlling the pace of the game and setting up plays.

A groundstroke is a shot played after the ball has bounced, typically from the baseline. Groundstrokes are fundamental for controlling the game's rhythm and pace.

The half-court refers to one side of the pickleball court, including the service area and one-third of the non-volley zone. Players must maintain proper positioning within the half-court during play.

A half-volley is a shot made by hitting the ball immediately after it bounces, very close to the ground. Mastering the half-volley requires precise timing and control.

Being "in the kitchen" refers to a player stepping into the non-volley zone. Players must be cautious not to enter the kitchen while hitting volleys to maintain fair play.

Also referred to as the non-volley zone, the kitchen is the area close to the net where players are prohibited from hitting volleys. Players must avoid entering this zone while hitting volleys to maintain fair play.

A let serve occurs when the ball touches the net during a serve but still lands within the correct service court. The serve is replayed without any penalty.

A lob is a high-arcing shot that clears the opponents at the net and lands deep in the opponent's court. Lobs are useful for changing the tempo of the game.

Match point is the point that, if won, secures victory for a player or team in the entire match. It's the pivotal moment when players strive to close out the game.

A net cord occurs when the ball hits the net during a shot, causing it to change direction unpredictably. It can result in an unexpected advantage or disadvantage.

No man's land is the area on the court between the baseline and the non-volley zone. Players should avoid lingering here, as it can be a vulnerable position during rallies.

Also known as the kitchen, the non-volley zone is the area near the net where players are not allowed to hit volleys. Staying out of this zone during volleys is essential.

When a shot lands directly on the boundary line, it's considered "on the line." These close calls can influence the outcome of the point and require precise judgment.

The paddle is the equipment used to hit the ball in pickleball. Paddles come in various materials, sizes, and designs, allowing players to choose what suits their style.

Partner communication involves effective and clear interaction between doubles partners during play. Communication enhances teamwork, coordination, and strategic decisions.

The pickleball grip refers to how a player holds the paddle. Different grips, such as the Eastern grip or Western grip, impact shot execution and control.

Poaching involves a player moving from their position to intercept the ball intended for their partner. It's a strategic way to surprise opponents and gain an advantage.

A rally is the sequence of hits and shots exchanged between the teams until the ball is out of play. Rallies showcase skill, strategy, and the dynamic nature of pickleball matches.

The ready position is the stance players adopt while awaiting the opponent's shot. It involves staying balanced and prepared to move in any direction.

The serve initiates the rally, with the server positioned behind the baseline. They hit the ball diagonally over the net to the receiver, aiming to start the point in their favor.

Side spin refers to spin applied to the ball that causes it to curve sideways in the air. Skilled players use side spin to create unpredictable trajectories and outwit opponents.

A side-out happens when the serving team fails to win the rally, resulting in the opposing team gaining the serve. Side-outs play a pivotal role in determining the serving team's momentum.

A side-out occurs when the serving team loses the rally, resulting in the opposing team gaining the serve. Side-outs are pivotal in determining the game's momentum.

A slice is a shot where the paddle strikes the ball with a slicing motion, creating backspin. It's effective for controlled shots that stay low.

A smash is a powerful overhead shot aimed at driving the ball forcefully past opponents. It's typically executed when the ball is above the net, adding aggression to the game.

Spin refers to the rotation imparted on the ball as it's struck. Different spins, like topspin and sidespin, affect the ball's trajectory and behavior.

The stacked formation is a doubles strategy where both players from the serving team align on the same side of the court. It can offer better court coverage and strategic advantages.

In a pickleball rally, the third shot drop is the shot played by the serving team after their return. It's often a softly executed drop shot aimed at positioning the receiving team further back on the court.

Topspin is a type of spin where the ball rotates forward, causing it to dip and drop more quickly after crossing the net. It's used to control depth and create challenging shots.

The two-bounce rule mandates that each team must let the ball bounce once on each side before they can start volleying. It adds strategy and allows for a fair exchange.

An underhand serve is a serve executed with an underhand motion. It's a common technique in pickleball, emphasizing control and accuracy over power.

A volley is a shot hit before the ball bounces. Volleys are crucial for keeping control of the game's pace and for strategic positioning on the court.

Wheelchair pickleball is a modified version of the sport designed for players with mobility challenges. It follows the same rules but accommodates players in wheelchairs.

The Z-serve is a specialized serve that curves diagonally across the court, creating an angle that challenges the receiver's positioning and anticipation.