These Phrases Scream, 'I'm New to Pickleball'
Last Edited
Nov 13 2024
Category
Community
There's no shame in being a pickleball newbie...after all, you've got to start somewhere.
But last week, someone in The Kitchen Pickleball Facebook group threw out an interesting question: “What sentence immediately lets you know they know nothing about pickleball?”
Hundreds of responses poured in, as our community shared their favorite phrases that scream, “I’m new here!”
Many of us may remember saying these same things when we first started. From calling paddles “rackets” to asking if they’re allowed in the kitchen (like it’s some kind of food prep zone), these classic beginner blunders show just how fun and unique pickleball can be — likely as a result of pickleball having a pretty unique vernacular associated with it.
Let’s break down some of the responses we saw in the comments:
1. Calling It a “Racket” Instead of a Paddle
This was, hands down, the most common tell-tale sign of a pickleball newcomer.
Plenty of players, especially those with tennis backgrounds, can’t resist calling their paddle a “racket.”
The comments were ruthless about sentences like this they've heard from newbies:
- “What kind of racket do you use?”
- “I just got a new racket for pickleball!”
- “Where can I buy a good racket?”
It’s one of the first adjustments pickleball players have to make, but to seasoned players, it’s like nails on a chalkboard.
As one member put it, “Calling it a racket is like calling a frisbee a puck—it’s close, but it’s not the same game.”
2. Confusion About “The Kitchen”
The kitchen—pickleball’s non-volley zone—is one of the sport’s quirkiest terms, and it trips up just about every beginner.
From wondering if it’s a place for snacks to asking about cooking, “the kitchen” seems to invite hilarious misunderstandings.
Here are some of the most common newbie phrases related to the NVZ:
- “Are we allowed to eat in the kitchen?”
- “So… where exactly is the kitchen?”
- “Do I need to cook in the kitchen?”
3. Thinking It’s Just Like Tennis or Ping Pong
“Pickleball? Isn’t that just tennis but smaller?”
“Isn’t it the same thing as ping pong?”
“It’s like mini tennis, right?”
Some beginners try to connect pickleball with other sports, calling it “small tennis” or a form of “big ping pong.”
While this helps some people visualize the game, it also shows a serious need for an introduction to pickleball basics.
4. Scoring & Serving Confusion
Pickleball’s unique scoring system—starting at 0-0-2 and alternating serves—catches a lot of people off guard.
Questions like “What’s the score?” or “Why is it 0-0-2?” come up regularly, and even experienced players still hear beginners ask these classic questions:
“Wait, what happened to 0-0-1?”
“How do I know when it’s my turn to serve?”
“Remind me how to call out the score?”
Pickleball’s scoring rules are one of the most misunderstood aspects of the game, but the confusion can be part of the fun (and the frustration) when you’re first learning.
5. Lost in Pickleball Lingo: Dinking, Ernie, and More
Terms like “dinking,” “Ernie,” and “third-shot drop” sound like gibberish to newcomers.
The lingo adds flavor to the game, and every seasoned player has seen the look of confusion on a new player’s face when these terms come up. Here’s a look at some of the most head-scratching terms for beginners:
“What’s dinking?”
“Is an Ernie a person?”
“I don’t understand, what’s a third-shot drop?”
For any beginners reading this, remember: we’ve all been there. Part of the fun of pickleball is its welcoming, laid-back culture. If you’ve asked a few of these questions, you’re in good company.
Read Next: The Scariest Things Pickleball Players Have Seen on the Court
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