Pickleball has a lot of words that can sound confusing when you first start playing.
Dink. Drive. Volley. Lob. Overhead.
The good news is that they are actually pretty simple once you know what each one means.
Here are five common pickleball terms every beginner should know.
1. What Is a Dink?
A dink is a soft shot that lands inside your opponent’s kitchen.
It is usually hit from near the kitchen line and kept low over the net so your opponent cannot easily attack it.
Players use dinks to slow the rally down and wait for a better chance to attack.
Easy way to remember it:
Dink = soft and low.
Want to learn more? Read our full guide: What Is a Dink in Pickleball?
2. What Is a Drive?
A drive is a fast and firm shot that travels low over the net.
It is usually hit after the ball bounces and is often played from farther back in the court.
Players use drives to put pressure on their opponents and give them less time to react.
You do not need to hit the ball as hard as possible. A good drive also needs control and good placement.
Easy way to remember it:
Drive = fast and firm.
Want to learn more? Read our full guide: What Is a Drive in Pickleball?
3. What Is a Volley?
A volley is a shot you hit before the ball bounces.
You will often see players volleying near the kitchen line because hitting the ball early gives the opponent less time to react.
However, you cannot volley while standing inside the kitchen or touching the kitchen line.
At the start of the rally, the serve and return must also both bounce before players can begin volleying.
Easy way to remember it:
Volley = hit before the bounce.
Want to learn more? Read our full guide: What Is a Volley in Pickleball?
4. What Is a Lob?
A lob is a high shot that goes over your opponent’s head and lands deep in the court.
Players often use a lob when their opponent is standing close to the kitchen line.
A good lob can make your opponent move backwards and give you more time or space.
But if the lob is too low or too short, your opponent may be able to hit an easy overhead.
Easy way to remember it:
Lob = high and deep.
Want to learn more? Read our full guide: What Is a Lob in Pickleball?
5. What Is an Overhead?
An overhead is a shot hit from above your head.
You will usually use it when your opponent hits a lob or sends the ball high into the air.
Overheads are often hit with more power, but you still need good control and placement.
Easy way to remember it:
Overhead = attack a high ball.
Want to learn more? Read our full guide: What Is an Overhead in Pickleball?
Quick Recap
Here are the five terms again:
Dink: A soft shot that lands in the kitchen.
Drive: A fast shot that travels low over the net.
Volley: A shot hit before the ball bounces.
Lob: A high shot that goes over your opponent and lands deep.
Overhead: A shot hit from above your head, usually against a high ball or lob.
Once you know these five terms, following a pickleball game becomes much easier.
You do not need to master all of them straight away. Start by learning what they mean, then practise them one at a time.
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