The Definitive Glossary of Pro Pickleball Words and Phrases

The PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball have a new rulebook, which includes an extensive glossary. Here are 70 pickleball words and phrases you need to know.

The PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball have a new rulebook, which the UPA-A just made public.

From serving rules to paddle challenges to player behavior, the new 71-page framework introduces structure, clarity, and, in some cases, real consequences to on-court player conduct.

It also provides an extensive glossary of pickleball-related terms and their definitions as they pertain to pro play in MLP and on the PPA Tour.

What's the difference between a hindrance and a distraction?
What's an Orange Card and a Blue Card, and what's the penalty if a player receives one?
How does the UPA-A define player profanity? (Spoiler alert: it doesn't.)

If you've ever wondered what certain pickleball words or phrases mean, this glossary might provide the answer.

Abstention – A temporary, declared inability of a player to participate in live play while remaining an eligible team member.
Act of Volleying – The full sequence of a volley: arm swing, contact, follow-through, and resulting momentum.
Adaptive Player – A player using a wheelchair or assistive equipment; such equipment is considered part of the body.
Appeal – A request for a ruling from an authority or opponent (in self-officiated play).
Ball in Play – The rally period from serve contact until the ball becomes dead.
Break in Play – A temporary stoppage during authorized timeouts or game transitions.
Carry – An illegal hit where the ball is prolonged or pushed on the paddle face.
Challenge (Video Challenge) – A formal request for video review to confirm or overturn a call.
Coach – A person providing information that could give a competitive advantage.
Coaching – Any communication (verbal, nonverbal, electronic) from outside a player’s partner that aids performance.
Concede – Voluntarily giving a rally to the opponent.
Court – The area within baselines and sidelines, including the lines.
Dead Ball – A ball no longer in play.
Detriment – A self-called violation resulting in loss of a rally for fairness.
Distraction – Non-standard actions that disrupt an opponent’s ability to play.
Double Bounce – Ball bounces twice before being returned.
Ejection – Removal from tournament play; player may remain at venue.
Expulsion – Removal from tournament and venue for the remainder of the event.
Factual Determination – A ruling based on observed events.
Fault – A rules violation that ends the rally.
First Server – The player who begins service after a side out in doubles.
Flow of the Game – The steady progression of play with minimal delays.
Forfeit – Loss due to lateness, behavior, or rule violations.
Foul (Orange Card) – A penalty adding one point to the opponent.
Groundstroke – A shot after the ball has bounced.
Head Referee – Oversees officiating and final rule interpretations.
Hindrance – External interference not caused by a player.
Imaginary Extension – Projection of a line beyond its endpoint.
Lead Referee – Manages a match and has final on-court authority.
Left/Odd Court – Left service area; used when score is odd.
Let Serve – A serve that hits the net and lands in the correct service box.
Line Call – A player’s call of IN or OUT.
Live Ball – From score call to when the ball becomes dead.
Mark (Blue Card) – A warning that can escalate into penalties.
Momentum – Continued motion after striking the ball.
Multiple Hit Stroke – More than one contact in a single motion.
Net System – The net and supporting structures dividing the court.
Non-Volley Zone (NVZ / Kitchen) – The 7x20 ft area near the net where volleys are restricted.
Overhang – Visual extension of the ball over a line without touching it.
Overrule – Reversal of a prior decision.
Paddle Head – The hitting surface (excluding the handle).
Preventive Refereeing – Proactive guidance to prevent violations.
Permanent Object – Fixed object that could interfere with play.
Plane of the Net – Imaginary extension of the net in all directions.
Playing Surface – Court plus surrounding play area.
Profanity – Offensive language or gestures.
Rally – Continuous play after the serve.
Ready for Play – Players are positioned and prepared to resume play.
Receiver – Player positioned to return the serve.
Replay – Restarting a rally without awarding a point.
Re-established – Regaining legal position outside the NVZ before volleying.
Referee Crew – All officiating personnel.
Retirement – A team/player stops play, awarding the match to opponents.
Right/Even Court – Right service area; used when score is even.
Roaming Referee – Floating official assisting across matches.
Rule Interpretation/Application – Applying rules to a situation.
Second Referee (2R) – Assists the Lead Referee.
Second Serve – In doubles, the team’s second serving opportunity.
Second Server – Partner who serves after the first server.
Serve – The shot that starts a rally.
Service Court – Area where serves must land.
Serving Area – Space behind the baseline for serving.
Side Out – Transfer of serve to the opposing team.
Starting Server – First server at the beginning of a game.
Video Review Referee – Reviews footage for challenges and rulings.
Volley – Hitting the ball before it bounces.
Warning – Notice of a violation without immediate penalty.
Withdrawal – A player/team removes themselves from an upcoming match.