Beginner Pickleball Lingo: When you’re new to pickleball, stepping onto the court can feel a little intimidating. Not only do you have to worry about the game itself, but you also have to understand all the unique terms players use. Fortunately, the JOOLA blog has provided a handy guide to help you speak like a seasoned player.
Essential Pickleball Terms to Know
1. Kitchen
“Stay out of the kitchen!”
The “kitchen” is the nickname for the non-volley zone. Players must avoid stepping into this area while hitting a volley. If you do, it’s considered a fault.
2. Dink
“Nice dink!”
A dink is a soft shot that drops just over the net into the non-volley zone. It’s a key move in pickleball strategy, often used to outsmart your opponent.
3. Erne
“Whoa! Sick Erne!”
An erne is an advanced move where a player jumps outside the court to volley the ball near the net. It’s a dramatic, impressive play.
4. ATP (Around the Post)
“He hit an ATP winner?!”
An ATP is a shot that curves around the net post and lands inside the court. It’s a legal, high-level play that can win points in style.
5. Reset
“Just reset it and breathe.”
A reset is a defensive shot used to slow down a fast rally and regain control. It’s all about staying calm and refocusing the game.
6. Banger
“He’s a banger—bring your paddle armor.”
A “banger” is a player who hits the ball hard with every chance. These players focus on power and speed rather than finesse.
7. Slammers vs. Dinkers
“Classic match-up: slammers vs. dinkers.”
This refers to the style of play: slammers are aggressive power hitters, while dinkers focus on precision and finesse shots.
8. Side Out
“Side out! Our serve!”
When the serving team loses a point, it’s called a side out. This signals a change in possession.
9. Foot Fault
“Kitchen foot fault—again?!”
A foot fault happens when a player steps into the kitchen during a volley, which results in a fault.
10. Pickled
“Dude… we got pickled.”
To get pickled means to lose a game 11-0. It’s a humiliating defeat with no points scored.
11. Golden Pickle
“We pulled off a golden pickle. Legendary.”
A golden pickle occurs when one team wins without ever letting the other team serve. It’s a rare and impressive achievement.
12. Paddle Tap
“Good game, paddle tap!”
A paddle tap is the gesture of tapping paddles with your opponent after a match. It’s a sign of sportsmanship.
13. Poach
“She poached that like a ninja!”
To poach means to cross over into your partner’s area to intercept a shot. It’s a sneaky, strategic move.
14. Stacking
“Are we stacking this game?”
Stacking refers to a doubles strategy where players position themselves on one side of the court to optimize play.
15. Let Serve
“Let! Let! Do-over.”
A let serve occurs when the ball hits the net but lands in the proper service box. Under new rules, this serve is live and playable.
16. Third Shot Drop
“Money third shot drop right there.”
The third shot drop is a soft shot used after the serve and return. Its goal is to slow down the game and set up better positioning.
17. Frozen Paddle
“Man, my paddle’s frozen today.”
When a player’s shots aren’t landing and their timing feels off, they say their paddle is “frozen.” It’s a sign of frustration.
18. Lobster
“He lobbed me again—Lobster strikes!”
A lobster is a player who loves to hit high, floaty shots over your head. These shots can be tricky to return.
19. Paddle Pop
“That was a paddle pop, not a volley.”
A paddle pop happens when a player’s shot bounces up off the paddle in an unintended way, often due to a bad volley.
20. Target Practice
“They turned me into target practice!”
Target practice is when opponents repeatedly aim shots at a player, testing their reflexes and positioning.
Bonus Term
“I’m more of a banger, but my partner here is a real dinkaholic.”
A dinkaholic is a player who loves long dink rallies. They live for the finesse and precision of these soft shots.
News in Brief: Beginner Pickleball Lingo
If you’re new to pickleball, learning the lingo can help you fit in on the court. From “kitchen” to “ATP,” knowing the key terms will make you sound like a pro in no time. Understanding pickleball slang will also improve your overall game, making it easier to communicate with teammates and opponents.
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