Pickleball Terminology

Pickleball has its own set of terminology such as "Non-Volley Zone" or "Kitchen", and "Dink". Here are a few more common terms.​

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• Around The Post (ATP): When a player hits a ball from outside the court boundary so that the ball travels to the side of the net -- never going over the net -- and it lands in the opponent's court, he just "hit an ATP". Feel free to take a moment to celebrate after your first ATP!

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• Erne: When a player close to the net jumps over the kitchen, hits the ball, and lands outside the court boundary he "pulled off an Erne". A player who keeps his feet outside the court boundary near the net (to the side of the kitchen) while he reaches in over the kitchen in order to return the ball is also "doing an Erne". If he run all the way across court and hits the ball over the net from the opposite side of the kitchen, it's a "Bert".

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• Level-up: When a player plays a game against higher-skilled opponents than he has been playing, perhaps with the belief that his skills have improved or perhaps the the notion that his skills will improve by playing with more challenging opponents, he is "playing up" or trying to "level-up".

 

• Nasty Nelson: When a player intentionally serves a fast ball so that it hits the opponent standing directly in front of him (partner of the receiver, at the kitchen line), the server wins the point on a Nasty Nelson. Note: In social play this is discouraged and considered poor form and may strongly offend and anger many players! If you must try it, do it with opponents who are good friends and consider warning them before the game begins. If you unintentionally do a Nasty Nelson, be sure to apologize and explain that it was unintentional.​​​​

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• Newbie, Novice/Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced: These player classifications are imprecise but they are meant to give you some idea of which court you belong on. A newbie is someone who is entirely new to pickleball or someone who is in the process of learning the basics (rules, scoring, feel of hitting the ball, etc.). A novice/beginner player understands all of the major rules, can reliably keep score, can serve successfully 90% of the time, and can sustain a rally of at least 10 hits each (forehand, backhand and volleys) with a cooperating opponent. An intermediate player looks forward to competitive games and is comfortable playing against strangers. The intermediate range covers a very wide spectrum of players and skills. An advanced player is a student of the sport, frequently wins challenge court games against intermediate opponents, and frequently drills and practices specific skills in order to increase proficiency.

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• Paddle Saddle/Caddy: This is an organizing contraption found at many courts which holds a paddles, each of which represents a player who is waiting to play. When one game finishes, the next players in the Paddle Saddle step on court to play. There may be local rules that determine how many (and which) players should step off and how many players should enter, depending on the number of people waiting or other factors. You should put your name on your paddle so people can alert you when it's your turn to play! Two styles of paddle saddles are shown here.