Pickleball is still new to a lot of people. If you’re one of those people interested in learning more, you’ll understand the game much quicker if you familiarize yourself with the terminology that goes along with it. The good news is that many share similarities with other popular racquet sports like tennis. Below are some common pickleball terms you’ll want to know before you play your first match.
Pickleball Terms
There are many terms related to pickleball, but here is a small sample of the basics to help you get started.
Ace – A legal serve not touched or returned by an opponent prior to the second bounce
Backhand – A stroke made on your non-dominant side when the backside of your hand faces the direction of your swing towards the net
Cross-court – The court diagonally opposite from your court. On the serve, you must always hit cross-court to your opponent.
Dead Ball – Declared after a fault, and the point is over
Dink Shot – A soft, controlled shot that is meant to arc shortly over the net at your opponent’s feet
Double-Bounce – When the ball bounces twice on one side of the net. A double bounce is a fault.
Double-Bounce Rule – When the ball is served, the receiving end must let the ball bounce once first before returning it, and then the serving side must also let the ball bounce once before returning.
Double Hit – When a player hits the ball twice with their paddle before going over the net. A ball hit during one continuous single direction stroke is legal, even though the ball may be unintentionally hit twice or “carried.”
Drop Shot – An arced shot that falls short of the opponent’s position.
Fault – Any action that stops play due to a rule violation. If the receiving team commits a fault, a point is awarded to the serving team. If the serving team commits a fault, the server loses his serve or serving switches to the opposing team (depending on the service sequence).
Forehand – A stroke made on your dominant side when your palm faces the direction of your swing towards the net. This is the most natural and comfortable way to swing. You will likely get the most power and control from forehand.
Game – Series of points played until one team reaches 11, but must be ahead by 2 to win
Groundstroke – A shot that is made after the ball bounces off the ground
Half Volley – When the ball is struck shortly after it bounces off the ground, before it reaches its highest potential
Kitchen – the section of the court on both sides of the net where volleying is prohibited.
Let – A serve that hits the net and lands in the correct service court. Service lets used to be replayed. However, in 2021, a rule change occurred that eliminated lets from pickleball. Following the rule change, the ball is live if it lands in the proper service court after hitting the net on a serve.
Lob – A high, deep return shot that forces the opponents back to the baseline
Rally – Continuous play between the serve and a fault
Side Out – During the service sequence when one side loses the serve to the opposing team
Volley – When the ball is struck in the air before it hits the ground
Ready to give pickleball a try? Register for a wide variety of ongoing pickleball programs here at Elite Sports Clubs! Still want to learn more pickleball terms? Check out our blogs on how pickleball is scored or court terminology & dimensions.