Pickleball is booming across Asia, but the sport’s shorthand can trip up new arrivals. Master these 15 buzzwords and you’ll not only keep rallies alive—you’ll join the conversation between points.
1. Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen)
- The seven-foot strip on either side of the net where you cannot volley. Step in only after the ball bounces or risk an instant fault.
2. Dink
- A feather-light shot that arcs just over the net and lands in the kitchen, forcing opponents to hit up instead of driving forward.
3. Third-Shot Drop
- The soft, arcing reply hit by the serving team on its third shot to regain net position after the mandatory two bounces.
4. Drive
- A flat, fast groundstroke aimed at pushing defenders back or provoking a pop-up you can put away.
5. Lob
- A high, looping ball sailed over an opponent at the kitchen line, buying you time to reset or forcing a tricky overhead.
6. Volley
- Striking the ball in the air before it bounces—legal everywhere except inside the kitchen.
7. Serve
- An underhand stroke delivered diagonally into the far service box. Contact must be below your waist and the paddle’s head should not rise above it.
8. Return of Serve
- The receiving team’s reply, which must bounce once before the serving side plays its third shot—part of pickleball’s “double-bounce” protection for rallies.
9. Side Out
- When both players on a doubles team lose their serve, possession flips to the other pair.
10. Stacking
- Partners lining up on the same side before the serve or return, then sliding to preferred forehand positions—common among lefty-righty duos.
11. ATP (Around-the-Post)
- A legal winner struck outside the net post that curves back into the court without crossing above the net.
12. Erne
- A daring leap—or sidestep—past the kitchen corner to smash a volley while your feet land outside the sideline.
13. Poach
- Crossing into your partner’s territory mid-rally to intercept a ball. Great when timed; chaotic when called too late.
14. Paddle Tap
- The friendly bump of paddles after a game, echoing the handshake tradition and keeping spirits high.
15. Outdoor vs. Indoor Ball
- Both are plastic and perforated, but outdoor balls are heavier with smaller holes to fight wind, whereas indoor versions are lighter and bounce a touch higher.
Now that you can talk the talk, find an open-play session, record footage of your dinks versus drives, and track your progress. Investing in a composite or carbon-fiber paddle will sharpen feel and reduce arm fatigue. See you at the kitchen line—just remember to let that third shot bounce first.
