Frequently Asked Questions

New to pickleball? Experienced player looking for better games? Our club is built for all levels.

Absolutely! We welcome new players, we are a very inclusive club and are happy to explain the rules and scoring during the matchplay sessions or if you can attend our weekly coaching sessions to help improve your game.

Come along to either matchplay or coaching sessions and we’ll be happy to help. It is worth familiarising yourself with the rules before you attend a session. Please see ‘Rules & Scoring’.

Our sessions cater for all different player levels – beginner, intermediate and advanced.

All sessions are pay as you go.

All sessions require a booking to secure your space – contact Kirsty to book a place at one of the sessions. Yes, you can bring a friend but please check with Kirsty if there is an available space at the session for them to attend.

Yes we have intermediate/advanced sessions which is great for players who are more experienced and for those looking for tournament practice.

Please wear appropriate sports clothing. Investing in a pair of good quality indoor court shoes (non-marking) is well worth it to provide comfort & stability when moving around the court/changing direction quickly. Not only will they maximise your performance but they will also help to prevent injuries.

All equipment is provided – always – and you can borrow paddles during the sessions for as long as you need to borrow before purchasing your own. If you are looking to purchase a paddle, shoes or clothing, Kirsty will be able to advise you on the best choice for you.

Yes please make sure you let the Coach/Leader know if you have an injury or medical condition before the session starts. In addition please fill out the Medical Form (google form) which will provide the Coach with more details.

Download Medical Form below
DDP Medical FormDownload

We have junior sessions from aged 6 – 18 and the adult sessions have no age limit! Everyone welcome.

Yes, Sunday Family Fun Rackets 12.00 – 2.00pm at Sir David English is for multi-generational pickleball and badminton fun! Families members can come and play against other families – children, parents, grandparents, cousins, friends – all welcome! Please message to book on as this usually runs term time.

We offer sessions for all levels – beginner clinics, introduction to play, social play sessions, coaching sessions for all levels and intermediate/advanced matchplay. You don’t need a partner to come along to the sessions, solo players are welcome and we will pair you up with similar skill level players for doubles games.

What to expect on your first session:

New to pickleball or new to our club?

 Jump in! You don’t need experience, fancy gear, or a partner to get started. Our sessions are welcoming, well-organised, and built to help you get playing fast. Whether it’s your very first game or you’re looking for a new place to compete and improve, we’ll get you oriented, matched up, and on the court—so you can focus on having fun and hitting great shots.

Contact us
1
A warm welcome when you arrive.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted with a friendly welcome from our team and players. If it’s your first time – we provide all the equipment. Just come along in sportswear and be ready to have fun.

2
A relaxed, supportive environment

You’ll get plenty of opportunities to play while learning at your own pace, and our coaches and players are always happy to answer questions and offer helpful tips.

3
Players matched by skill level

Our qualified coach manages a simple court rotation system, helping you play with others at a similar level so games stay fun, balanced, and enjoyable for everyone.

Pickleball Glossary

Master the court and talk the talk with this essential guide to popular pickleball terms and lingo.

Basic shots

  • Ace – An ace is a serve that your opponent does not return.
  • Approach shot – The pickleball is struck while moving forward toward the net.
  • Around The Post (ATP) – is a shot where instead of the ball going over the net like a traditional shot, this shot is hit from outside the sidelines, travels around the post that holds the net, and lands inbounds.
  • Backhand – A backhand stroke is made on your non-dominant side. You know it’s a backhand hit when the back of your hand is facing the net as you hit the ball.
  • Baseline – Line at the back ends of the court.
  • Carry – When a pickleball shot does not bounce directly off the pickleball paddle, instead it is carried along the face throughout your shot. Fault. Also called scooping.
  • Dig – A defensive shot with your paddle low, a wide stance, and absorbing the power of an offensive shot to make it “unattackable.”
  • Dink Shot – A dink shot is a soft and controlled shot that is intended to move downward shortly after it clears the net, landing in the no-volley zone or kitchen. (ideally at your opponent’s feet). Pro tip: slowing down the game with a dink is a great tool that every player should have in their bag of shots.
  • Drive – Forehand shot hit straight and low into the opposing backcourt.
  • Drop Shot – A groundstroke shot that falls short of the opponent’s position.
  • Fault – A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation. A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team; a fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or a side out.
  • Forehand – A forehand stroke is made with your dominant forearm is facing forward. This is typically the most comfortable and natural stroke.
  • Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone) – The 7-foot section on both sides of the net, in which players allowed to enter the Non-Volley Zone unless a pickleball is bounced within the zone.
  • Lob – A lob is a shot that returns the ball as high and deep as possible attempting to make it over the opposing side’s reach. This forces a tough shot from the backline. While many use the lob, it can be difficult to not leave it up for a slam for the opposing team.
  • Overhead Smash – A powerful overhead shot hit downward, often from lobs left short or high bounces.
  • Permanent Object – Any object around the pickleball court that may interfere with the flight of the ball. Includes walls, fences, fixtures, the referee, seating, and any other object around or above the court.
  • Ready Position – Ideal position to receive the ball for return. Paddle is in front of the player’s body at chest height with a neutral grip. Weight is evenly balanced on toes and knees are slightly bent. 
  • Reset – To stop a rally to bring it into the kitchen for dinking.
  • Serve – An underhand stroke used to put the pickleball into play. A serve must be made contact with the pickleball under the waist of the player.
  • Shadowing – A strategy used in doubles pickleball to work together as a team. In shadowing the players will move in synch to approach the net and to retreat. Imagine a rope is tied to your partner, so if one moves, the other has to move.
  • Sideline – The lateral border of the pickleball court.
  • Slice  – A shot used to create a backspin on the pickleball.
  • Split Step – A stance with a slight bounce to allow for a quick reaction. 
  • Third Shot Drop – The third shot of a game typically happens near the baseline and is returned so that it lands perfectly in your opponent’s kitchen.
  • Two Bounce Rule – After the ball is served the returning team must allow the ball to bounce one time before returning, and the serving team must allow the return to bounce one time before beginning a volley. 
  • Unattackable Ball – A drop shot, dink, or reset show that doesn’t bounce high enough to be attacked and returned. The bounce height is below the top of the net. 
  • Volley – A shot that is hit in the air, during a rally, before the ball has hit the ground. 

Pickleball Slang!

  • Bangers – Aggressive shot used to overpower opponents, this player likes to hit hard shots.
  • Blast Off – When the server shouts the score of 3-2-1, yell “Blast Off”
  • Body Bag – When you forcefully hit your opponent with a pickleball, most commonly in the chest.
  • Champion Shot – A shot that bounces twice in the non-volley zone.
  • Erne – When a player lunges over the corner of the kitchen out of bounds to get closer to the net and smash the ball without breaking the rule of placing your feet in the non-volley zone before the ball hits the ground. 
  • Falafel – A short shot due to hitting the pickleball with little to no power often falls much short of the net. 
  • Flapjack – A midair pickleball shot that you are not able to hit, due to the pickleball not having bounced once on each side of the court.
  • Golden Pickle – A variant of “getting pickled,” or losing a game with no points scored.  What the other team metaphorically earns when they beat you using only their first server, going from 0-0-2 to 11-0-2 without losing a point.
  • Layout – When a player throws their body horizontally to return a zinger.
  • Nasty Nelson – While serving, you try to catch the opposing team off guard, aiming to hit your opponent that is not set to receive the serve.
  • Painting the Line – A great line shot that lands right on the line.
  • Pickle! – Warning shouted by the player serving to alert opposing players the server is soon to serve.
  • Pickled – Equivalent to being “skunked” in other sports, scoring zero points in a game. The score would be 11-0. 
  • Pickler  – A pickleball addict, someone who can’t put the pickleball paddle down!
  • Stacking – A strategy in which two players are on the same side of the court before the serve or return, and then transition to separate sides after.
  • Volley Llama – An illegal shot, where the pickleball player hits a volley shot in the non-volley zone.
  • (Credit: terminology definitions and Pickleball slang from https://www.justpaddles.com)

Useful links

Dorset Dinkers

Pickleball England

quay rackets

DUPR Ratings

Canford Sports cente

BH Live Active

BCP LEisure

Broadstone Leisure

MY DUPR COACH

Corfe Hills School

USA PICKLEBALL

MEAD INSURANCE

lyfe health

active dorset

Playwaze

PICKLEBOOK

Contact Us

Let’s talk 👋 Dorset Dinkers is happy to help with coaching, advice and any other information. Please fill out contact form below or WhatsApp Kirsty on 07966 719616.

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