Pickleball Lingo: Learn To Speak Pickler’s Language
Whether you're a pickleball newbie or a seasoned player, understanding the unique vocabulary of the game will take your enjoyment—and your game—to a whole new level.
From mastering the art of the "Third Shot Drop" to pulling off a daring "Erne," these terms are more than just words—they’re the heartbeat of pickleball culture. You'll learn how to avoid the "Kitchen" traps, decode the mysteries of a "Falafel," and maybe even become a pro at pulling off an "Around The Post" shot that leaves spectators cheering.
The blog you were unaware you planned to read. The pickleball lingo universe! Vocabs you never knew you needed:
Kitchen: The area in front of the net where volleying is not permitted.
Dink: A gentle shot intended more for strategy than strength that lands in the kitchen.
Erne: A bold attempt in which the player jumps out of bounds close to the net in order to strike the ball.
Falafel: A paddle hit that produces little power and is weak or "dead."
Slammers: Players who, occasionally controversially, prefer forceful shots over finesse.
Banger: A player who relies heavily on hard, fast shots, often ignoring finesse.
Third Shot Drop: A strategic soft shot after the serve and return, aimed to land in the kitchen and neutralize the rally.
Poach: When a doubles partner crosses into their teammate's territory to hit a ball, usually to gain an advantage.
ATP (Around The Post): A spectacular shot that goes around the net post rather than over the net.
Lob: A high-arching shot intended to push your opponent back to the baseline.
Paddle Tap: A friendly gesture at the end of a game to show good sportsmanship.
Reset Shot: A defensive shot designed to slow the pace and regain control of the rally.
Rally Scoring: A point-scoring method where points are earned on every rally, regardless of who served.
Stacking: A doubles strategy where partners position themselves to keep their stronger player on the preferred side of the court.
Pickle: The final point of the match—a playful nod to the game's quirky name.
Pickleball's language captures the game's dynamic mix of strategy and fun. Which term do you think is the most interesting?