Stepping onto the pickleball court for the first time can feel like entering a whole new world with its own set of terms and jargon. But fear not, we’re here to help you unravel the secret language of pickleball. In this beginner’s guide, we’ve compiled a comprehensive glossary of essential terms that every budding pickler should know. Let’s get started!

1. Pickleball: The main event! Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, played with a solid paddle and a plastic ball with holes.
2. Paddle: Your weapon of choice in pickleball. Paddles come in various materials, shapes, and weights, allowing players to select one that suits their style.
3. Dink: A gentle, low-impact shot, typically performed close to the net. Dinking is a strategy used to keep the ball in play while setting up for a more offensive shot.
4. Volley: A shot in which the ball is hit out of the air, before it bounces. Volleying is a common technique used to maintain control of the game.
5. Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone): A 7-foot area on each side of the net where volleying is prohibited. Players must let the ball bounce before hitting it if they are inside the kitchen.
6. Baseline: The back boundary line of the court. Players must serve from behind this line.
7. Fault: A mistake that results in the loss of a point. Common faults include stepping into the kitchen while volleying and serving the ball into the net or out of bounds.
8. Erne: A daring and advanced maneuver where a player runs to the non-volley zone to hit an angled shot. Named after Ernie Chapman, who popularized the technique.
9. Poach: A strategic move where one player crosses over into their partner’s side of the court to intercept a shot. Communication with your partner is essential when poaching.
10. Third Shot Drop: A soft, controlled shot played by the serving team after the return of serve. It’s aimed at placing the ball close to the net, setting up for a dinking rally.
11. Sideline: The boundary lines running parallel to the net on either side of the court.
12. Topspin: A type of spin applied to the ball by hitting it with a forward and upward motion. Topspin can increase the speed and bounce of the ball.
13. Backspin (Slice): Spin applied by striking the ball with a downward motion. Backspin can create a low, controlled shot.
14. Court: The playing surface, measuring 20 feet wide and 44 feet long for doubles play, and slightly smaller for singles.
15. Serve: The initial shot that starts the rally. It must be made diagonally across the court and clear the net.
16. Ace: A serve that is not returned by the receiver, resulting in a point.
17. Double Bounce Rule: The rule stating that the ball must bounce once on each side of the net before volleying is allowed.
18. Rally: A sequence of hits back and forth between opponents, starting from the serve.
19. Drop Shot: A softly hit shot intended to barely clear the net and land close to it, making it difficult for the opponent to return.
20. Paddle Face: The hitting surface of the paddle, typically made of composite materials like graphite or fiberglass.
21. Foot Fault: Stepping on or over the baseline or kitchen line while serving.

With these terms under your belt, you’re well on your way to becoming fluent in the language of pickleball. Keep practicing, stay engaged, and soon you’ll be conversing with fellow picklers like a pro. Welcome to the wonderful world of pickleball!