Shots & strokes
Slice
also called backspin, underspin
Backwards rotation imparted to the ball by brushing under it — makes the ball float and stay low after the bounce.
Slice is the opposite of topspin: backwards rotation, generated by brushing under the ball at contact. Sliced shots float through the air and skid low off the bounce — useful on returns to keep the ball low and slow the serving team's transition.
The classic slice serve in pickleball forces the returner to bend low and play upward, often producing a high return that the serving team can attack.
Related terms
Topspin
Forward rotation imparted to the ball by brushing up the back at contact — makes the ball dip and accelerate after the bounce.
Serve
The shot that puts the ball in play. Must be hit underhand, below the waist, and land diagonally in the receiver's service court.
Return
The shot that responds to the serve. Almost always hit deep to push the serving team away from the kitchen line.