3rd Shot Drop: A gentle shot played from the baseline, by the serving team, to start the rally. Typically aimed at landing the ball in the non-volley zone (NVZ).

Ace: A serve that the opponent fails to touch, resulting in a point for the server.

Approach shot: A shot executed in the baseline area that allows you to move forward to the NVZ.

ATP: Around The Post refers to a legal shot that travels outside the net posts, where its trajectory stays below the height of the net and still lands within the field of play. NB: Hitting the post in any way leads to a fault.

Backcourt: The area of the court located at the baseline.

Backspin: A backward-spinning shot that slows the ball down and keeps it low.

Ball: Pickleball balls come in two basic types, “indoor” or “outdoor”.

• Hybrid ball: A pickleball with features somewhere between an indoor ball and an outdoor ball.
• Indoor ball: A pickleball designed primarily for indoor play. Characteristics of an indoor ball include fewer holes, each with a larger diameter, less weight, and softer less durable plastic.
• Outdoor ball: A pickleball designed primarily for outdoor play. Characteristics of an outdoor ball include more holes, each with a smaller diameter, more weight, and harder more durable plastic.

Banger: A player who predominantly uses powerful drives as opposed to mixing it up with softer shots or dinking.

Baselines: The lines parallel to the net at the back of the pickleball court 22 feet (6.7 m) from the net.

Bert: Jumping in front of your partner over the NVZ to the outside of the court to hit the ball.

Block shot: A backhand defensive shot with a small backswing intended to slow the ball and drop it in the opponent’s NVZ used in response to a body shot.

Body shot: A shot aimed at the opponents body. If it actually hits the opponents body, other than the hand and wrist, the opponent loses the point.

Centerline: The line bisecting the service courts that extends from the NVZ line to the baseline.

Continental Grip: Holding the paddle handle so that the index finger and thumb form a “V” in line with the edge of the paddle.

Crosscourt: Hitting the ball diagonally across the court.

Dink: A soft shot hit just over the net.

Dinking Duel: A slow-paced rally at the Non-Volley Zone.

Double Bounce Rule: The rule that requires the ball to bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed.

The serve must bounce (#1) before the returner may hit the ball. Once returned the ball must bounce (#2) before the serving team can hit the ball (the famous 3rd shot!). After this either team are allowed to volley the ball in their turn.

Drive: A hard and low shot hit with pace.

Drop Shot: A softly hit shot that falls just over the net.

Erne: A shot hit from outside the court by jumping the sideline.

Fault: A mistake or violation of the rules resulting in the loss of a point or the passing of serve to the 2nd server or a side out.

No part of your body may touch the service line or be outside the service sidelines.

Foot Fault: A rules violation when a player steps into the Non-Volley Zone while volleying.

No part of your body or clothing or paddle may touch the NVZ after volleying a ball.

Groundstroke: A shot hit after the ball bounces on the ground.

Half-Volley: Hitting the ball immediately after it bounces on the ground.

In: The ball lands within the court boundaries, including the line.

Kitchen: Also known as the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), it’s the area close to the net where volleying is not allowed.

Let: A replay of a point due to interference or other factors.

Lob: A high, deep shot that goes over your opponent’s head.

Out: The ball lands outside the court boundaries. The ball is in if it hits any part of the line.

Overhead: A shot hit above the player’s head, often executed as a smash.

Paddle: The equipment used to hit the ball.

Paddle Up: Holding the paddle in a ready position near the Non-Volley Zone.

Poach: Intercepting the opponent’s shot intended for your partner.

Rally: A series of shots exchanged between players without a fault.

Shake and Bake: A doubles strategy where the serving team executes a powerful 3rd shot drive (shaker) while the other player (the baker) rushes the net at the centerline in the hopes of intercepting a weak pop-up, from the drive, to put it away.

Side Out: Losing the serve and the opponent gains the service.

Smash: A powerful overhead shot aimed at finishing a point.

Spin: Adding rotation to the ball to control its trajectory.

Split Step: A preparatory step to quickly move in any direction.

Transition Zone: Area of the court between the back court and NVZ. It’s the most vulnerable area as you transition from the back court to the NVZ.

Topspin: A forward-spinning shot that helps the ball stay in play and bounce higher.

Volley: Hitting the ball before it bounces.

Let’s start to add other terms in the comments below…