Lingo
A shot that returns the ball as high and deep as possible, forcing the opposing side back to the baseline.
What is a Lob
The area between two double partners is particularly appealing for opposing teams to direct shots at because each player may think the other is going to hit the ball.
What is the Divorce Alley
To cross over into your partner's side of the court to hit a shot.
What is Poach?
These brothers dominate the game of pickleball, being number 1 and number 4 best in the world.
Who is Ben Johns and Collin Johns
The equivalent of getting "skunked" in other sports, scoring zero points in a whole game.
What is Pickled
A weak bounce off a paddle that doesn't go far
What is a Falafel
A stroke in which the ball tends to carry along the face of the paddle rather than immediately bouncing off of it.
What is a Carry (or double hit)
(Fact: carry is legal as long as it is a continuous stroke)
The Number 1 female pickleball player in the world.
Who is Anna Leigh Waters
A shot where you hit the pickleball in the air as you are jumping around the Kitchen at your side of the court
What is an Ernie
(Fun fact: Ernie Perry is the person who invented the shot)
A shot that must bounce before being hit
What is a Flapjack
A match only involves three players instead of four
What is a Cutthroat (or Australian Double)
The organizations that have most popular tournaments in USA
What are PPA and APP
A shot where you hit the pickleball in the air as you are jumping around the Kitchen at your partner side of the court
What is Bert
A shot on the pickleball courts where the server serves the pickleball to intentionally hit the opposing player nearest to the pickleball net
What is a Nasty Nelson
[Fun fact: The Nasty Nelson is named after one of pickleball’s most “colorful characters,” Timothy (the Puppet Master) Nelson]
A play used by serving team where one player drives or drops the 3rd shot, causing a pop-up that is smashed by the partner
What is a Shake and Bake
The highest rating of pickleball players
What is a 5.5-6.0+
A team wins a pickleball game using its VERY first serve.
What is a Golden Pickle
An illegal move, or fault, where a player hits a shot in the Non-Volley Zone
What is a Volley Llama
A serve that involves both free hand and paddle holding hand and was banned by USAPA for all plays.
What is a Chainsaw Serve
A rule added to professional pickleball that outlaws this serve in 2023
What is the spin serve.