Pickleball Glossary
Confused by “Dinks,” “Ernes,” and “Kitchens”? Master the lingo of the court so you can talk the talk while you walk the walk.
The Basics
The essential terms every player needs to know before their first serve.
The Kitchen
Commonly known as the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ). You cannot hit a ball out of the air while standing in this 7-foot area.
Dink
A soft shot hit from the kitchen line that arcs over the net and lands within the opponent’s kitchen.
The Two-Bounce Rule
The ball must bounce once on the serve and once on the return before anyone can hit a volley (a ball in the air).
No Man’s Land
Also called the Transition Zone. This is the area between the baseline and the kitchen where you are most vulnerable.
Pro Moves & Slang
When you hear these on the court, you know the game is getting serious.
Erne
A shot where a player jumps outside the kitchen boundary to hit a ball in the air, allowing them to get closer to the net legally.
ATP (Around the Post)
A spectacular shot where the ball is hit outside the net posts and below the net height, landing in the opponent’s court.
Nasty Nelson
A serve where the server intentionally hits the opponent’s partner standing at the kitchen line. It’s a legal point, but a bit “nasty”!
Stacking
A strategy where partners stay on the same side of the court during a serve or return to ensure they keep their preferred forehand/backhand positions.
Pickled
When a team loses a game 11-0. It’s the ultimate “ouch” in pickleball!
Poach
When a player crosses over into their partner’s side of the court to intercept a ball and hit a volley, usually to put the point away.
Bert
Similar to an Erne, but you jump in front of your *partner* to hit the ball out of the air on their side of the court. Very flashy!
Falafel
A “dead” shot that has no power behind it, usually caused by hitting the ball with a loose grip or the edge of the paddle.