This glossary provides definitions and context for terminology related to, and jargon specific to, the sport of pickleball. Words or phrases in italics can be found on the list in their respective alphabetic sections.
0–9 0–0See Zero–Zero 0–0–2 or 0–0–start See Zero–Zero–Two. 20 by 44A pickleball court. Pickleball courts measure by .
A AceAny serve that is not returned by the receiver, or, more specifically, a serve that the receiver's paddle never touches.Friedenberg, p. 164. The term, originally used in tennis, has been attributed to American sportswriter Allison Danzig. APP or APP TourSee Association of Pickleball Players Approach shotA shot executed while moving from the backcourt towards the non-volley line. Around-the-post (ATP)A legal shot that travels outside the net posts; its trajectory may be above or below the height of the net.USA Pickleball 2025 Official Rulebook, p. 47. Association of Pickleball PlayersAn American amateur and pro pickleball tour sanctioned by USA Pickleball. Originally named the Association of Pickleball Professionals, when it was formed in 2019, the organization changed its name in 2023 to better reflect its support for both amateur and professional players. At the netA player positioned at the non-volley line; considered a strategically dominant position.Friedenberg, p. 164. Attackable ball or Attackable shotA ball returned over the net in a way that allows the receiving side to make a strategic offensive shot. This can mean the ball was hit high and deep enough to allow their opponent to return a targeted aggressive volley from outside the non-volley zone, or the ball has enough height after the bounce to permit a targeted aggressive groundstroke.
B BackcourtThe area of the court located near the baseline. Backhand shotA shot made with the palm of the hand facing away from the net. For a right-handed player, a backhand shot would be made on their left side. The reverse can be said for a left-handed player. Contrast with Forehand shot. BackspinSee Spin. BackswingThe backward movement of the paddle in advance of striking the ball. BagelA shutout game ending when one team earned no points. In a standard pickleball game, an 11-0 ending score. BakerSee Shake & bake. Bainbridge CupAn international pickleball competition organized by the International Pickleball Federation, or the trophy awarded at the competition. Bainbridge IslandAn island in the state of Washington, United States, where the sport of pickleball was invented at the home of Joel Pritchard. Ball! or Ball on!A call made to alert all players when an errant ball is on the court, usually a ball from another court. For safety, all play should immediately stop and the serve started over once the court is clear. Ball typePickleballs come in two basic types, "indoor" or "outdoor", but some may be labeled "hybrid" with features that fall between the two. Rules permit any USAP approved ball to be used in indoor or outdoor matches. Hybrid ball: A pickleball with features somewhere between an indoor ball and an outdoor ball. Indoor ball: A pickleball designed primarily for indoor play. Characteristics of an indoor ball include fewer holes, each with a larger diameter, less weight, and softer less durable plastic. The design provides better performance where wind is not a factor, and the court is smooth, such as a wood floor. Outdoor ball: A pickleball designed primarily for outdoor play. Characteristics of an outdoor ball include more holes, each with a smaller diameter, more weight, and harder more durable plastic. The design provides better performance in wind and more durability for rough outdoor courts. BangerA player that hits mostly powerful drive shots. BaselinesThe lines parallel to the net at the back of the pickleball court from the net.Leach, p. 4. BashA hard shot that hits the top of the net (i.e. the tape) and then lands in play on the opponent's side of the court. A bash is typically unintentional and very difficult to return as the ball changes speed and/or direction due to contact with the net. BertIn doubles, a poach shot where a player crosses in front of their partner to execute an erne on their partner's side of the court. BevelOne of the eight sides of a standard eight-sided racket handle. See Grip (tennis) for how each bevel is referenced and numbered. Block shot or BlockingA backhanded defensive shot with little or no backswing intended to slow the ball and drop it in the opponent’s non-volley zone; used in response to a body shot.Friedenberg, p. 165. Body shot, Body bag, or TagA shot that hits the body of an opposing player, often intentionally, thereby winning the point. Care should be taken to avoid the head, neck or face. (Also see Nasty Nelson.) Bounce it!In doubles, a call made by one partner to the other instructing them to allow the ball to bounce before striking the ball. Called when a player thinks the ball may land out of bounds.
C CarryHitting the ball in such a way that it does not bounce away from the paddle but tends to be carried along on the face of the paddle. This is a fault. CenterlineThe line bisecting the service courts that extends from the non-volley line to the baseline.Leach, p. 4. Chainsaw serveA serve that starts by swiping, brushing or rolling the ball against the paddle before tossing the ball in preparation for striking the ball, thereby imparting spin on the ball, then striking the ball with a topspin stroke imparting even more spin. The serve was popularized by Zane Navratil and is sometimes referred to as the Zane Navratil serve. As of 2022 the serve is no longer allowed per USAP rules, but still permitted in unsanctioned PPA pro games. Champion or ChampionshipThe final winner in a tournament bracket. Championship point See Game point Chicken wingAn awkward defensive shot made with the paddle arm bent and the elbow extended up and away from the body. It also can refer to the shoulder and armpit area, on the paddle side of a player's body, that when targeted can force the player to make a chicken wing defensive shot. Chip shotSee Chop. Chop, Chip, Cut, or Slice shotStriking the ball using a slightly open faced paddle while moving the paddle in a downward undercutting motion to impart backspin on the ball. ClawWhen an opponent hits the ball with intense backspin that it hits the opposite side of the court, it bounces back to the opponent’s side. To keep the ball in play, the player must reach over the net to tap the ball. If the player doesn’t touch the ball, the opponents win that play. Most players will reach over the net and hit the ball forward potentially keeping the ball in play for the opponent to hit back. The best strategy is to reach over the net in a “claw” like manner and hit the ball INTO the net causing the ball to drop on the opponent’s side making it impossible for the opponents to play the point. Closed faceTilting the paddle face down when striking the ball with the upper edge of the racket angled forward.Friedenberg, p. 165. (See also Flat face and Open face) CoachingAny communication to a player from a non-player. Coaching is not allowed while a game is in progress, except during time-outs and in-between games.USA Pickleball 2025 Official Rulebook, p. 11. Coed pickleballPickleball competitions where men and women compete without any distinctions related to sex. Continental grip or Hammer gripGrasping the paddle handle so that the index finger and thumb form a "V" in line with the edge of the paddle; similar to picking up a hammer.Friedenberg, p. 16. (See also Grip) CorkspinSee Spin. Cough DropA shot where the ball hits the top of the net and falls back on the player’s side that hit the ball. Opposite term is lemon drop. CrosscourtThe opponent's half of the court that is diagonally opposite the player striking the ball. Crush & rushSee Shake & bake. Cut shotSee Chop.
D Dead ballA ball that is no longer in play, or any action that stops play.USA Pickleball 2025 Official Rulebook, p. 36. A dead ball occurs whenever one of the following occur; a fault is committed, the ball strikes a permanent object, or a hindrance is called. DillbreakerSee Dreambreaker. Dink or Dink shotA soft return shot made at, in, or near the non-volley zone, after the ball has bounced, that just clears the net and drops into the opponent's non-volley zone.Leach, p. 52. Dink rallyA series of slow dink shots where each side attempts to deny their opponent an attackable ball. Dink volleyA soft return shot made at or near the non-volley line, prior to the ball bouncing, that just clears the net and drops into the opponent's non-volley zone. DinkerA pickleball player that is exceptionally good at dinking. DisguiseSee Misdirection. Double-bounce ruleSee Two-bounce rule. Double hitHitting the ball twice with the paddle before the ball is returned. A valid play as long as the hits are both performed as part of one continuous stroke.USA Pickleball 2025 Official Rulebook, p. 44. Double hit might also refer to hitting the ball twice, involving one player or both players on a team, but using two separate strokes. This is a fault.Friedenberg, p. 167. Doubles Pickleball matches having two players per side. (Contrast to Singles) Coed doubles: A match where the four doubles players may be any combination of male and female players. There is no requirement with respect to sex. Mixed doubles: Each side must have one male player and one female player. Gender doubles: All four doubles players must be the same sex. Men's doubles: All four doubles players must be male. Women's doubles: All four doubles players must be female. DreamBreaker or DillbreakerA tie-breaking singles game used in MLP team format competitions. If two teams remain tied after four games of doubles, a dreambreaker singles game is played to decide the match. After every four rallies, the individuals playing on both teams are rotated. DreamlandSee DUPR. Drive shotA powerful groundstroke or volley hit fast and low over the net to the opponent's backcourt.Friedenberg, p. 167. Drop serve See Serve. Drop or Drop shotA soft return shot made from the back court or mid court, after the ball has bounced, that lands in or near the opponent's non-volley zone. Drop volleyA soft return shot made from the back court or mid court, prior to the ball bouncing, that lands in or near the opponent's non-volley zone. DUPR or Dynamic Universal Pickleball RatingA pickleball player rating system ranging from 2.0 to 8.0. Developed by Steve Kuhn at his Dreamland family amusement center in Austin, Texas. DUPR was originally called the Dreamland Universal Pickleball Rating.
E Eastern grip or Handshake gripGrasping the paddle handle so that the index finger and thumb form a "V" in line with the second bevel on the paddle handle; an angle similar to shaking hands with someone. (See also Grip) ErneA volley hit near the net by a player positioned outside the court or in the process of leaping outside the court. A legally executed erne shot allows a player to hit the ball closer to the net without stepping in the non-volley zone. Named for Erne Perry, the first person credited with using the shot in mainstream competitive play. Even service courtSee Service court. Every. Pickle. Point. Counts.A scoring system used in some team format pickleball tournaments where points won in each game are cumulative, with additional points added based on games won.
F FaultAn infringement of the rules that ends a rally and results in a dead ball.Leach, p. xxii. First server, First serveIn doubles; the first team member to serve the ball after a side–out. If a side-out occurs when the team's score is even, the team's starting server will be the first server, otherwise the non-starting server will be the first server. (See also Starting server) Flat faceKeeping the paddle face parallel with the plane of the net when striking the ball without angling the racket up or down.Friedenberg, p. 171. (See also Closed face and Open face)