Pickleball Slang (Falafel, Volley Llama, Pickled and More)
Also known as: pickleball slang, pickleball lingo, falafel in pickleball, falafel shot, volley llama, flapjack in pickleball, getting pickled, kitchen creeper, body bag in pickleball
In pickleball slang, a falafel is a soft shot hit with less power than you meant, so it falls short. A volley llama is a volley hit from inside the kitchen, which is a fault. Getting pickled means losing a game without scoring, usually 11-0.
Pickleball has a playful vocabulary. A falafel is a shot that comes off the paddle with too little power and falls short. A flapjack is a ball that must bounce before anyone hits it. The serve and the return of serve are the classic flapjacks, because of the two-bounce rule.
Some slang names a mistake. A volley llama is a volley from inside the kitchen, which Rule 11.A makes a fault. A kitchen creeper is a player whose feet drift into the kitchen during dink rallies. That is legal while the ball bounces first, but a volley from there is a fault. A popcorn shot is a dink that pops up high enough to attack.
Other terms describe results. Getting pickled means losing a game without scoring. Getting kitchened means being out-dinked until you crack. A body bag is a shot that hits an opponent's body to win the rally.
Tips by skill level
When someone uses a slang word you don't know, ask. Most players love explaining it.
Slang often points at a real habit. If you hear "popcorn" or "kitchen creeper" about your game, take it as free feedback.
Example
After a weak return dies in the net, a partner laughs and calls it a falafel. On the next point, an opponent volleys with a foot in the kitchen, and someone calls "volley llama!"
Why it matters
Slang is part of pickleball culture, and you will hear it at every open play. Knowing it helps you follow the banter and spot the real rule behind a joke.
Common mistakes
- Thinking a kitchen creeper is always committing a fault
- Mixing up a flapjack with a volley
- Using slang as a line call instead of the actual rule
Frequently asked questions
What does falafel mean in pickleball?
A falafel is a soft shot hit with less power than intended, so it falls short. It usually comes from a mishit or a too-soft touch.
What is a volley llama in pickleball?
It is slang for volleying from inside the kitchen. Rule 11.A makes that a fault, so the volleyer's side loses the rally.
What does getting pickled mean?
It means losing a game without scoring a point, usually 11-0.
What is a flapjack in pickleball?
A shot that must bounce before it is hit. The serve and the return are the classic flapjacks, because of the two-bounce rule.
Sources
- Dictionary.com — What Is Pickleball? All About the Kitchen and Other Pickleball Terms (Apr 3, 2024: falafel, flapjack, pickled)
- The Manual — 47 pickleball terms every player should know (Jason Collins, Jul 16, 2024: volley llama)
- The Kitchen Pickleball — Every Pickleball Term, Explained (Slang: getting kitchened, kitchen creeper, popcorn shot)
- Wikipedia — Glossary of pickleball (body shot / body bag)
- USA Pickleball 2026 Official Rulebook (copy published by Pickleball Canada) — Rules 10.A (two-bounce rule) and 11.A (non-volley zone contact while volleying)
Related terms
- Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)The kitchen is the 7-foot non-volley zone on each side of the net. You may not hit a volley (a ball out of the air) while standing in it or touching its line. You must let the ball bounce first.
- Non-Volley Zone ViolationA non-volley zone violation happens when a player volleys a ball while touching the kitchen or its line. Any part of their body, clothing, or paddle counts, including from momentum right after the volley.
- Two-Bounce RuleThe two-bounce rule requires the ball to bounce once on each side before either team may volley. The serve must bounce on the return side. The return must bounce on the serving side, and only after those two bounces may either team hit a ball before it bounces.
- Popping the Ball Up (Common Miss)Popping the ball up is a common miss: a dink, reset, or block rises too high over the net. It hands the opponent an easy chance to attack.
- Body Shot AttackA body shot attack is a speed-up or drive aimed at the opponent's torso or dominant hip. It forces an awkward, compact swing with little room to attack back.
Related guides & benchmarks
Put this into practice
Ask SwingVantage a follow-up question about this, or keep reading the related terms above.