Pickleball Terms and Shot Names: The Complete Glossary

Pickleball has its own language, from simple words like dink and kitchen to advanced shots such as the Erne and ATP. This glossary explains more than 70 pickleball terms in plain English, helping beginners follow conversations, understand match commentary, and recognize common shots, rules, and playing styles.

The 12 terms you need on day one

These are the words most likely to come up during a first game. The sections below cover court positions, shots, tactics, scoring, player slang and equipment.

Court and zone terms

• Baseline: The line at the back of each side of the court. Players serve from behind this line.

• Centreline: The line that divides each side's service area into left and right courts.

• Cross-court: The diagonally opposite side of the court. A cross-court shot travels towards the opposite corner.

• Kitchen: The informal name for the non-volley zone, a 7-foot area on each side of the net. Players may enter it to play a ball after it bounces, but cannot volley while standing in it.

• Kitchen line: The line marking the edge of the non-volley zone. A serve that lands on this line is a fault.

• No-man's-land: An informal name for the transition zone, where players can be caught between the baseline and kitchen line.

• Non-volley zone (NVZ): The official name for the kitchen. It extends 7 feet from the net across the full width of the court.

• Service court: One of the two diagonal target areas where a serve must land.

• Sideline: The boundary line running along either side of the court.

• Transition zone: The area between the baseline and the kitchen. Players often move through this area as they approach the net.

Shot names

What is a dink in pickleball?

Dink: A soft shot that travels just over the net and lands in the opponent's kitchen. Players use dinks to keep the ball low and make an aggressive reply harder.

What is a third shot drop?

Third shot drop: A soft shot hit by the serving team as its third contact of the rally. It is intended to land in the opponents' kitchen, giving the serving team time to move towards the net.

Other common pickleball shots

• Block: A controlled shot that absorbs an opponent's pace instead of adding more power. It is commonly used against hard drives.

• Bert: An Erne-style shot made by crossing in front of a partner to intercept a ball near the net. It is a specialized doubles play.

• Drive: A fast, relatively flat shot hit with pace towards an opponent. Players use it to pressure opponents or force a weaker return.

• Erne: An advanced volley played near the net by moving around the outside of the kitchen or jumping over its corner without touching the non-volley zone. The player must also avoid touching the zone during the action.

• Falafel: A weak or poorly struck shot that comes off the paddle without enough pace or control. Players may use the word when a shot falls short unexpectedly.

• Flick: A quick wrist-led shot that sends the ball forward with little backswing. It is often used to attack a ball that sits high enough to reach.

• Half-volley: A shot played immediately after the ball bounces, usually close to the ground. It is useful when a player has little time to prepare.

• Lob: A high shot that travels over an opponent's head towards the back of the court. It is used when opponents are close to the net.

• Overhead: A shot hit above the head, usually in response to a high ball. It is often used to finish a rally.

• Punch volley: A short, firm volley made with a compact forward movement. It directs the ball quickly without a large swing.

• Reset: A soft defensive shot that slows down a fast exchange and helps return the ball to a controlled position. Players often use it from the transition zone.

• Roll: A topspin shot that dips toward the opponent's court. Players use it to attack a ball while keeping it lower than a flat hit.

• Smash: A forceful overhead shot aimed down into the opponent's court.

• Speed-up: A sudden attack that changes a slow exchange into a fast one. Players often speed up a ball that sits high enough to attack.

• Third shot drive: A hard shot played as the serving team's third contact. It is an alternative to the third shot drop.

• Volley: A shot hit before the ball bounces. Players use volleys to take time away from opponents, as long as they do not commit a kitchen fault.

• ATP (around the post): A shot that travels around the outside of a net post rather than over the net. It is possible when the ball's angle takes it beyond the sideline.

• Put-away: A shot intended to end the rally immediately. It is usually hit when an opponent gives up a weak or high ball.

What is an Erne?

An Erne is an advanced shot in which a player positions themselves outside the kitchen or jumps around its corner to volley close to the net. The player must avoid touching the non-volley zone, including during the action.

What is an ATP?

ATP means around the post. It describes a shot that travels around the outside of the net post and lands in the opponent's court. It is possible when the ball's path allows it to pass outside the net rather than over it.

1. Dink: show a soft shot landing in the opponent's kitchen.

2. Drive: show a low, fast shot traveling towards an opponent.

3. Third shot drop: show a high, soft arc landing in the kitchen.

4. Reset: show a player absorbing a fast shot and returning it softly.

Learn the shots with your own paddles: Practicing dinks, drives, and drops is easier when you have equipment ready for regular play. Explore the HandiGo USA Pickleball Paddle Set.

Strategy terms

These words describe common doubles formations and playing patterns. They are labels, not complete strategy tutorials.

• Middle ball: A shot directed between two opponents. It can create uncertainty about which player should return it.

• Pickleball patience: An informal phrase for waiting for a suitable ball before attacking instead of forcing a risky shot.

• Poaching: One player moves across to hit a ball that would normally be their partner's shot. It is used to intercept a ball and put pressure on the opponents.

• Shake and bake: A doubles pattern in which one player drives the ball and their partner moves forward to attack the next shot. The name describes the two-player sequence.

• Soft game: A style of play built around controlled shots, dinks, and resets rather than constant hard hitting.

• Stacking: A doubles formation in which partners arrange their starting positions to keep each player on their preferred side of the court. It is often used to maintain forehand or backhand positioning.

• Switching: Partners change sides or positions during a rally or between points. It can be part of a planned doubles formation.

• Targeting: Directing shots towards a particular opponent or area of the court. Players may target a weaker side or an open space.

Scoring and rules terms

These are quick definitions, not full rule explanations. For examples and detailed instructions, read our pickleball rules and scoring guide.

• 0-0-2: The opening score call in traditional doubles scoring. The final number indicates that the first server starts in the second-server position for that opening service turn.

• Carry: Contact in which the ball is carried along the paddle face instead of rebounding cleanly. The rulebook treats a carry as a fault.

• Dead ball: A ball that is no longer in play, usually because a rally has ended.

• Double hit: A player strikes the ball twice before returning it. The legality depends on the circumstances and applicable rules.

• Fault: A rule violation that ends the rally. Examples include hitting the ball out, failing to clear the net, or volleying from the kitchen.

• Let: A rally or serve that is stopped and replayed under an applicable rule or match procedure. The treatment depends on the situation and rule set.

• Rally scoring: A scoring format in which the team that wins a rally earns a point, whether serving or receiving. Traditional scoring awards points only to the serving team.

• Receiver: The player who returns the serve.

• Replay: A rally that is played again without awarding a point or changing the server.

• Return of serve: The shot that sends the served ball back to the serving team.

• Serve: The initial shot that starts a rally.

• Server: The player who starts a rally by serving the ball.

• Side out: A change of service from one team to the other after the serving team loses its service opportunity.

• Two-bounce rule: The serve must bounce once on the receiving side, and the return must bounce once on the serving side before either team may volley.

The 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook is the primary reference for official playing terms and rule definitions. Check the current rulebook if a match situation is disputed.

Player and slang terms

The following expressions are informal court language. Their meanings can vary between clubs, regions, and players.

• Banger: A player who prefers hitting hard drives rather than using soft shots. The word describes a playing style, not a formal skill level.

• Chicken wing: A shot or body position that forces a player to bend or lift an elbow awkwardly to make contact. It often describes a cramped defensive reply.

• Dinker: A player who frequently uses soft shots and dinks. It can describe a playing style or a player who is comfortable in the soft game.

• Golden pickle: An informal term some groups use for a particularly one-sided result or a special zero-score loss. Its exact meaning is not standardized, so check how the local club uses it.

• Meatball: A high, easy ball that gives an opponent a good opportunity to attack. It is often used as a warning that a shot has been left too high.

• Nasty Nelson: An unusual serve that hits the opposing player who is positioned near the net, rather than landing untouched in the service court. The term is associated with player Tim Nelson and is informal slang.

• Open play: A session where players join games with others at the venue, often rotating partners and opponents.

• Pickled: Slang for losing a game without scoring a point. It is a playful reference to the sport's name.

• Sandbagger: A player who competes below their actual ability or rating to gain an advantage in a lower-level division.

• Skinny singles: A singles variation played on only half the court, using the player's score to determine which side is in play.

Where did the word pickleball come from?

Pickleball began in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, with Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. Two popular stories explain the name. One links it to the Pritchard family's dog, Pickles; another links it to the rowing term pickle boat. The dog story is disputed, so neither explanation should be presented as settled fact.

Why is it called the kitchen?

The non-volley zone is widely called the kitchen, but no universally accepted, officially documented explanation for the nickname exists. Treat explanations linking it to other sports or a penalty area as theories, not established history.

Ratings and organization terms

• DUPR: Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating, a rating system that estimates player skill using match results. Recreational players and competitive events use it.

• MLP: Major League Pickleball, a professional team-based pickleball league.

• PPA Tour: The Professional Pickleball Association Tour, a professional tournament circuit.

• USA Pickleball: The national governing body for pickleball in the United States. It publishes official rules and equipment standards.

• UTPR: USA Pickleball Tournament Player Rating, a rating associated with results from qualifying USA Pickleball tournament play.

For a closer look at player ratings, read our pickleball skill levels and DUPR guide.

Equipment terms

• Core: The inner structure of a paddle, often made from a honeycomb-style material. It affects the paddle's feel and response.

• Edge guard: The protective strip around the edge of a paddle. It helps protect the paddle from damage caused by contact with the court.

• Face: The paddle's hitting surface. It may use materials such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, or composite layers.

• Grip circumference: The measurement around the paddle handle. It helps players choose a handle size that feels comfortable.

• Grit: The roughness or texture of a paddle face. It can affect ball contact and spin, subject to equipment rules.

• Overgrip: A thin wrap placed over the paddle's original grip. Players use it to change the feel, absorb sweat, or increase handle thickness.

• Sweet spot: The area of the paddle face where contact usually feels most controlled and consistent.

• Swing weight: How heavy a paddle feels while being swung. It affects how easily a player can accelerate and maneuver it.

• Elongated paddle: A paddle shape that is longer and narrower than a standard shape. It offers additional reach but may have a different feel and sweet spot.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is a dink in pickleball?

A dink is a soft shot that travels just over the net and lands in the opponent's kitchen. Players usually hit it from near the non-volley zone to keep the ball low and limit attacking opportunities.

2. Why is it called the kitchen?

Kitchen is the common nickname for pickleball's non-volley zone. The exact origin of the nickname is uncertain. The official rulebook uses the term non-volley zone rather than kitchen.

3. What is a third shot drop and why does it matter?

A third shot drop is a soft shot hit by the serving team after the serve and return. It is intended to land in the opponents' kitchen, giving the serving team time to approach the net.

4. What is an Erne?

An Erne is an advanced volley played near the net from outside the kitchen or by jumping around its corner. The player must avoid touching the non-volley zone during the shot.

5. What is an ATP?

ATP stands for around the post. It is a shot that travels around the outside of the net post and lands in the opponent's court instead of passing over the net.

6. What does stacking mean?

Stacking is a doubles formation in which partners position themselves to keep their preferred playing sides. It is often used to maintain a player's forehand or backhand position during a match.

7. What is a banger?

A banger is a player who relies heavily on hard, fast shots instead of soft dinks and controlled exchanges. The term is informal and describes a playing style, not an official rating.

8. What does 0-0-2 mean?

In traditional doubles scoring, 0-0-2 is the opening score call. The final number identifies the first server as the second server for that opening service turn.

9. What is a golden pickle?

Golden pickle is informal slang used by some pickleball groups for a particularly one-sided result or a special zero-score loss. The meaning is not standardized across clubs, so ask how the term is used locally.

Learn the language, then take it to the court

Knowing pickleball terms makes it easier to follow instructions, understand match calls and communicate with other players. Start with the kitchen, dink, volley, fault, and two-bounce rule. Add the shot names and doubles terms as you gain experience.

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