Pickleball Glossary: 14 Terms Explained
The words that show up in pickleball specs, reviews and how-to guides, explained without jargon.
- Carbon fiber face
- A paddle surface known for grip on the ball and control, common on mid and upper-range paddles.
- Related: Best Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddles →
- Court shoes
- Shoes built for lateral movement with flat, grippy soles. Running shoes are designed for forward motion and roll more easily.
- Related: Best Pickleball Shoes →
- Dink
- A soft shot hit from near the kitchen line that drops into the opponent's kitchen.
- Elongated paddle
- A longer, narrower paddle shape that adds reach and power but shrinks the sweet spot.
- Related: Best Elongated Pickleball Paddles →
- Graphite face
- A light, stiff face material that gives a crisp feel.
- Related: Best Graphite Pickleball Paddles →
- Indoor ball
- A softer ball with fewer, larger holes, easier to control on gym floors.
- Related: Best Indoor Pickleball Balls →
- Kitchen
- The non-volley zone, 7 feet on each side of the net, where players may not volley the ball.
- Outdoor ball
- A harder ball with more, smaller holes that resists wind. It bounces faster and can crack in the cold.
- Related: Best Outdoor Pickleball Balls →
- Paddle core
- The honeycomb inner layer of a paddle, usually polymer. Thicker cores, around 16 mm, feel softer and more controlled.
- Related: Best Pickleball Paddles →
- Sweet spot
- The area of the paddle face that gives the most solid, controlled response.
- Swing weight
- How heavy a paddle feels in motion, influenced by where the weight sits, not just total weight.
- Related: Best Pickleball Lead Tape →
- Third shot drop
- A soft shot by the serving team on the third shot that lands in the kitchen, letting them move up to the net.
- Two-bounce rule
- The return of serve and the third shot must each bounce once before being volleyed.
- USA Pickleball approved
- Equipment listed as meeting USA Pickleball specifications for sanctioned play.