Pickleball Terms Explained — What’s a Dink, Kitchen, or Erne?

Ever overheard players talking about “dinking in the kitchen” and thought… what on earth are they saying?

Pickleball has its own quirky vocabulary. Understanding the lingo not only makes the game more fun but also helps you improve faster.

• The Kitchen:
• Officially the “non-volley zone,” 7 feet on either side of the net.
• You can’t volley (hit out of the air) while standing here.
• Dink:
• A soft shot landing just over the net in the kitchen.
• Forces opponents to hit up, giving you the advantage.
• Erne:
• Advanced move: jump outside the sideline and volley near the net.
• High risk, high reward.
• Third Shot Drop:
• A soft, controlled shot after the serve and return.
• Essential for gaining position at the net.
• Pickled:
• Slang for losing a game 11–0.
• Bert:
• Like an Erne, but crossing into your partner’s side to execute it.
• ATP (Around-the-Post):
• Hitting the ball around the net post and into the opponent’s court — legal and spectacular.

Learning the language of pickleball makes you a more confident, connected player.

👉 Want to learn these moves hands-on? Sign up for SOCIAL DINK (https://www.socialdink.com) clinics where we teach you how to dink, drop, and maybe even Erne!