Whether you are just starting to play Pickleball or have been playing for years, there is always room to improve your game. One way to do this is by familiarizing yourself with the Pickleball lingo and jargon that is commonly used by advanced players. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of the top pickleball terminology and phrases that will help to reduce your learning curve. If you prefer to learn pickleball by watching videos, check out the learn pickleball page on Pickleball Insiders.
Pickleball Terms & Player Slang
Here is a comprehensive guide of the Pickleball terms and definitions that you should know.
Bagel Zone
The Bagel Zone is the non-volley zone located 7 feet from each side of the net. The reason it’s called the “Bagel Zone” is because if a player hits the ball into this area, they score a point and their opponents score zero points (just like in tennis!).
The Kitchen Sink
This is the hardest and most risky type of pickleball shot. It’s called the kitchen sink because it’s like throwing everything you’ve got at your opponents all at once! Not to be confused with the kitchen.
Dinking
This is a soft and low-risk shot that is used to keep the ball in play and force your opponents to move around the court. It gets its name from the sound it makes when the ball hits the paddle, which is supposed to sound like a “dink”.
Now let me define Dink. A dink is a soft, low over the net shot, used to keep the ball in play and force your opponents to move around the court. The sound it makes when the ball hits the paddle should sound like a “dink”.
Paddle Pop
This is a quick and light hit on the ball that is used to place the ball into open space on the court. Paddle pops are also known as “push shots” or “peppers”.
Poaching
Poaching is a strategy employed by doubles partners where one player illegally crosses over into their partner’s court to intercept a shot. This can be a very effective way to win points, but it can also be seen as unfair play by your opponents.
Lob
A lob is a high and deep shot that is used to force your opponents to back up and give you time to move into the front court. It gets its name from the fact that it looks like you are “lobbing” the ball over their heads.
Pickleball Serve
The pickleball serve is a very important part of the game. It is the only time when a player can score a point without their opponents hitting the ball. The serve must be hit underhanded and diagonally into the opponent’s court. If it goes into the net, it is a fault and the opposing team gets to serve.
Volley
A volley is a shot that is hit before the ball bounces on the ground. This can be a very effective way to win points, but it is also very risky because it leaves you open to making mistakes.
What Is Stacking In Pickleball?
Stacking is when one player moves to the back of the court and their partner moves to the front. This is often done to give the player in the back more time to react to shots, but it can also be used to surprise your opponents with a quick change in position.
What Is A Fault In Pickleball?
A fault is when a player hits the ball into the net, out of bounds, or does not hit it diagonally into the opponent’s court when serving. If a player hits the ball into the non-volley zone on their own side of the net, this is also considered a fault.
What Is A Let In Pickleball?
A let is when a point is not counted because the ball hits the net or goes out of bounds. This can happen for any number of reasons, but it is usually due to an error on the part of one of the players.
These are just a few of the many Pickleball terms and jargon that you may come across as you play the game. By familiarizing yourself with this Pickleball vocabulary, you will be able to improve your game and communicate better with your fellow players.
Where did Pickleball originate?
According to the Pickleball Hall of Fame, Pickleball was created in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. The game was invented by three fathers – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum – who were looking for a summer activity that the whole family could enjoy.
Pickleball Meme
Don’t forget, when you’re playing pickleball and someone hits a shot that’s so good it makes you question your life choices… just remember, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. We hope these funny pickleball terms have helped you better understand the game and provided some comic relief along the way!
Pickle Ball Terms
When you first start playing pickleball, you will probably have lots of questions such as: What is the kitchen sink mean in pickleball?
Here are five funny pickleball terms and their definitions to help you understand the game better:
- Dinking: this term is used to describe a soft and low-risk shot that is used to keep the ball in play and force your opponents to move around the court.
- Poaching: this term is used to describe a strategy employed by doubles partners where one player illegally crosses over into their partner’s court to intercept a shots.
- Lob: this term is used to describe a high and deep shot that is used to force your opponents to back up and give you time to move into the front court.
- Smash: this term is used to describe a hard and powerful shot that is used to win points quickly.
- The Kitchen Sink: this term is used to describe a very deep shot that is hit by the player in an attempt to make it difficult for their opponents to return the ball.
Pickleball Team Names
1. The Dinks
2. The Poachers
3. The Lobsters
4. The Smashers
5. The Pickles
Pickleball Jokes
1. What do you call a pickleball player with no friends?
A dink.
2. What do you call a pickleball player who is always losing?
A volley.
3. What do you call a pickleball player who is really good at the game?
A smash.
4. What do you call a pickleball player who is really bad at the game?
A dud.
5. What do you call a pickleball player who is always winning?
A champion!
Add Pickleball Terms To Your Vocabulary
Pickleball is a game like most where learning never stops. As you improve your skills and techniques, you’ll also want to familiarize yourself with the pickleball terms used by others in order to communicate better and understand the game even more. So keep playing, keep learning, and have fun! If you found this article interesting and want to continue to learn pickleball, check out more tips and tricks at Pickleball Insiders.
