{"Status":true,"Message":"","Response":{"post":{"postuid":"bde7f144-9edc-4ee7-9434-ea4b824a94b5","tenantuid":"45a0010e-ec76-43e9-9914-4376bfa80903","projectuid":"4025e8c9-71ea-4557-850d-662c78598919","title":"Pickleball Glossary: Complete A\u2013Z Guide to Pickleball Terms","slug":"article/pickleball-glossary-complete-az-guide-to-pickleball-terms","html":"\u003Cp\u003EThis glossary covers the essential terms, shots, rules, and slang you\u0027ll encounter in pickleball, from official rule terminology to the community\u0027s own playful vocabulary. Use it as a quick reference whenever you run into an unfamiliar word on the court or in our other guides.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022a\u0022\u003EA\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EATP (Around the Post):\u003C/b\u003E A shot hit around the outside of the net post rather than over the net, with no height restriction since it doesn\u0027t need to clear the net. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-an-atp-around-the-post-shot-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022b\u0022\u003EB\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBackhand:\u003C/b\u003E A shot struck with the back of the hand facing the direction of the swing, typically the less dominant side for most players.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBanger:\u003C/b\u003E A player who relies heavily on hard, fast shots (drives and smashes) rather than a soft, patient game.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBert Shot:\u003C/b\u003E A variation of the Erne where a player hits the ball from outside the sideline while it\u0027s still on their own side of the net. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-a-bert-shot-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022c\u0022\u003EC\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECarbon Fiber:\u003C/b\u003E A common paddle face material known for durability and spin potential. See raw vs. coated and T700 grading. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/graphite-vs-carbon-fiber-pickleball-paddles-whats-the-difference\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECenterline:\u003C/b\u003E The line dividing each service area into left and right service boxes.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EChainsaw Serve:\u003C/b\u003E A banned spin-serve technique that used an exaggerated spinning motion on the ball before contact. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-the-chainsaw-serve-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EChampion\u0027s Shot:\u003C/b\u003E A term sometimes used for a decisive, high-difficulty winning shot played at a critical moment in a match.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EConsolation Bracket:\u003C/b\u003E A secondary bracket giving first-round losers in the main draw a chance to keep competing. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-a-consolation-bracket-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022d\u0022\u003ED\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDeflection Test:\u003C/b\u003E A technical method for measuring a paddle\u0027s core stiffness by how much it flexes under pressure. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-the-deflection-test-for-pickleball-paddles\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDink:\u003C/b\u003E A soft, controlled shot hit into the opponent\u0027s kitchen, central to kitchen-line strategy. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/how-to-dink-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDouble Bounce Rule:\u003C/b\u003E See Two-Bounce Rule.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDrive:\u003C/b\u003E A hard, fast shot hit with power and pace.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDrop Serve:\u003C/b\u003E A legal serve where the ball is dropped and allowed to bounce once before being struck, with no swing or contact-point restrictions.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDUPR:\u003C/b\u003E Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating, a data-driven rating system scored from 2.000 to 8.000. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-dupr-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022e\u0022\u003EE\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EErne:\u003C/b\u003E An aggressive shot where a player jumps or steps outside the sideline to volley near the net post without entering the kitchen. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-the-erne-shot-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022f\u0022\u003EF\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFault:\u003C/b\u003E A rule violation that ends a rally, resulting in a side-out or a point depending on the scoring format.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFirefight:\u003C/b\u003E A fast-paced volley exchange at the kitchen line, typically involving quick reflex shots at close range.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EForehand:\u003C/b\u003E A shot struck with the palm facing the direction of the swing, typically a player\u0027s dominant, more powerful side.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFreeze Rule:\u003C/b\u003E A format in some rally-scoring games that reverts to side-out scoring near the end of the match. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-the-freeze-rule-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022g\u0022\u003EG\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGold Medal Match:\u003C/b\u003E The final, championship-deciding match of a tournament division. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-a-gold-medal-match-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGolden Pickle:\u003C/b\u003E A colloquial term for winning a game 11-0 without the opponent scoring a single point. See also Pickled.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022h\u0022\u003EH\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHinder:\u003C/b\u003E Outside interference (such as a ball rolling onto the court) that prevents a legitimate shot, allowing the rally to be replayed by mutual agreement.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022i\u0022\u003EI\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EI Formation:\u003C/b\u003E A doubles serving strategy where the server\u0027s partner crouches low near the centerline before the serve. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-the-i-formation-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022k\u0022\u003EK\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EKitchen:\u003C/b\u003E The non-volley zone, a 7-foot area on each side of the net where volleys are not allowed. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-the-kitchen-rule-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EKitchen Line:\u003C/b\u003E The line marking the edge of the non-volley zone; a key strategic position in doubles play. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/how-to-play-the-kitchen-line-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EKitchen Talk:\u003C/b\u003E Friendly banter and conversation between players at the kitchen line during dink rallies. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-kitchen-talk-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022l\u0022\u003EL\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELet:\u003C/b\u003E Under current rules, a replay limited to outside interference; service lets were eliminated in 2021. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/can-a-serve-touch-the-net-and-still-be-legal-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELob:\u003C/b\u003E A high, arcing shot meant to go over opponents standing at the kitchen line. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/how-to-hit-a-pickleball-lob\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022m\u0022\u003EM\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMute Point:\u003C/b\u003E A specific shot/play pattern covered in our shots library. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-a-mute-point-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022n\u0022\u003EN\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENon-Volley Zone (NVZ):\u003C/b\u003E See Kitchen.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022o\u0022\u003EO\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOvergrip:\u003C/b\u003E A thin wrap applied over a paddle\u0027s existing grip to improve tackiness and absorb sweat. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-an-overgrip-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022p\u0022\u003EP\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPaddle:\u003C/b\u003E The solid (unstrung) implement used to hit the ball in pickleball.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPickle:\u003C/b\u003E Slang for a shutout, or winning a game 11-0. See also Pickled.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPickled:\u003C/b\u003E Losing a game 11-0 (or the equivalent shutout) without scoring a single point.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPickler:\u003C/b\u003E A colloquial term for a pickleball player.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPop Test:\u003C/b\u003E An informal method for assessing a paddle\u0027s responsiveness by dropping a ball on its face. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-the-paddle-pop-test-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022r\u0022\u003ER\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERally Scoring:\u003C/b\u003E A scoring format awarding a point on every rally, regardless of who served. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/rally-scoring-vs-traditional-scoring-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReliability Score:\u003C/b\u003E A DUPR metric (1\u2013100%) reflecting how confident the system is that a rating is current and accurate.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReset:\u003C/b\u003E A defensive shot that softens a fast incoming ball, neutralizing an opponent\u0027s attack. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/how-to-reset-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERound Robin:\u003C/b\u003E A tournament format where every entrant in a pool plays every other entrant before any elimination occurs. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-a-round-robin-pickleball-tournament\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022s\u0022\u003ES\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESandbagging:\u003C/b\u003E Intentionally self-rating below your actual skill level to compete in an easier bracket.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EServe:\u003C/b\u003E The underhand shot that begins every rally.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESide-Out:\u003C/b\u003E The transfer of serve from one team to the other after a serving fault or, in traditional scoring, a lost rally.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESkinny Singles:\u003C/b\u003E A half-court practice variant of singles play, often used for drilling.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EStacking:\u003C/b\u003E A doubles positioning strategy keeping each player\u0027s stronger side toward the middle of the court. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-stacking-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022t\u0022\u003ET\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThird Shot Drop:\u003C/b\u003E A soft shot from the baseline that lands in the kitchen, allowing the serving team to advance to the net. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-the-third-shot-drop-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETraditional Scoring:\u003C/b\u003E A scoring format where only the serving team can score points. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/rally-scoring-vs-traditional-scoring-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETweener:\u003C/b\u003E A shot hit between the legs, typically an improvised, difficult play made when a player is caught out of position.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETwo-Bounce Rule:\u003C/b\u003E The rule requiring the ball to bounce once on each side after the serve before either team can volley. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-the-two-bounce-rule-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022v\u0022\u003EV\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EVolley:\u003C/b\u003E Any shot hit out of the air before it bounces.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EVolley Serve:\u003C/b\u003E The traditional serve style, hit before the ball bounces, with specific contact-point and paddle-position requirements.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022w\u0022\u003EW\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWPR (World Pickleball Rankings):\u003C/b\u003E Pickleball.com\u0027s ranking system covering both professional and amateur players. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-is-world-pickleball-rankings-wpr\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ccite class=\u0022recommended\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022title\u0022\u003ENote\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis glossary covers terms used throughout Pickleball.com\u0027s HelpGuides content. If you run into a term here without a linked article, check the Complete Pickleball Rules Guide or Pickleball Shots \u0026amp; Techniques Library for broader context.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/cite\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022related_articles\u0022\u003ERelated Articles\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/how-to-play-pickleball-a-complete-beginners-guide\u0022\u003EHow to Play Pickleball: A Complete Beginner\u0027s Guide\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/complete-pickleball-rules-guide\u0022\u003EComplete Pickleball Rules Guide\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/what-are-common-pickleball-sayings\u0022\u003EWhat Are Common Pickleball Sayings?\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003EQuestions about a pickleball term? Email \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:support@pickleball.com\u0022\u003Esupport@pickleball.com\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","publish_status":0,"post_type":"Article","authoruid":"42b786ed-5ff2-467c-9593-d828908ee6d2","author":{"authoruid":"42b786ed-5ff2-467c-9593-d828908ee6d2","name":"Christy Cook","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-cook-texas/","photo_url":"https://graffiti-auf7e6dwhxhcbwek.z03.azurefd.net/45a0010e-ec76-43e9-9914-4376bfa80903/4025e8c9-71ea-4557-850d-662c78598919/4fd2cf59-047a-4a00-8a6d-2d9c6c9f91fe.jpg?v=1114665229","linkedin_url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-cook-texas/"},"featured_image_updating":false,"meta_description":"Comprehensive pickleball glossary with terms, shots, rules, and slang for quick reference on-court or in guides. Learn essential pickleball vocabulary here.","keywords":"ATP (Around the Post);Backhand;Banger;Bert Shot;Carbon Fiber;Centerline;Chainsaw Serve;Consolation Bracket;Deflection Test;Dink","display_toc":true,"has_workingcopy":false,"allow_indexing":true,"total_views":15,"date_stale":"2026-07-30T00:00:00","date_published":"2026-06-30T19:57:29.607","date_updated":"2026-07-06T23:49:33.223","date_created":"2026-06-30T19:00:45.057"}}}