Pickleball: All the Terms You Should Know

Pickleball has its own lingo, and knowing these terms will help you stay in sync with the game and your partners.

Key Pickleball Terms:

• Kitchen: The 7-foot non-volley zone near the net. You can’t volley from here.
• Dink: A soft shot intended to land just over the net in the kitchen.
• Volley: Hitting the ball out of the air without letting it bounce.
• Third Shot Drop: A shot designed to drop softly into the opponent’s kitchen, typically used after the return of serve.
• Erne: A fancy shot made while jumping outside the sideline and hitting the ball mid-air near the net.
• Fault: Any rule violation, such as stepping in the kitchen during a volley or hitting the ball out of bounds.
• Paddle Tap: The sportsmanlike gesture to acknowledge the end of a game, similar to a handshake in tennis.

Understanding these terms will make communication easier on the court and give you a solid grasp of the game’s flow.