Surprise! Pickleball has its own language!
Some terms such as fault, rally or serve may ring a few bells, but let us familiarise you with some new terms:
- Dink: No... we do not mean "disposable income, no kids" (or at least in this instance). A dink is a soft shot that is hit just over the net, usually with little or no bounce. One of those nasty shots you have to run after, that place the ball strategically and force the opponent into a difficult position.
- Third Shot Drop: The shot hit by the serving team after the return of serve, typically a soft shot that lands in the non-volley zone, aiming to regain control of the net and set up the offence.
- Side Out: When the serving team commits a fault, resulting in the serve switching to the opposing team.
- The Kitchen or the Non-Volley Zone: The area on each side of the net where players are not allowed to volley the ball (hit it in the air without letting it bounce).
- Foot Fault: When a player steps into or on the non-volley zone while volleying the ball, resulting in a fault.
Learn these and you'll be a pro (or at least sound like one)!