Pickler created The Pickleball Dictionary, which includes all of the common terms, phrases, words, people, and organizations found in, on, and around the pickleball courts. Get your FREE copy of The Pickleball Dictionary today!
PICKLEBALL TERMS THAT START WITH THE LETTER “I”
The pickleball terms, phrases, words, people, and organizations that start with the letter “I” include:
IFP – The International Federation of Pickleball (also known as the IFP) is the world governing body of pickleball.
Illegal Serve – Pickleball uses an underhand serve (unlike tennis, which has an overhand serve). The rules of pickleball require the serve to be hit below your belly button with, at the point of contact, (1) your paddle moving in an upward direction; (2) your paddle head in a downward position; and (3) your paddle head below your wrist. After contact, you are free to do whatever you want with your paddle. Also, to note, at least one foot must remain in contact with the ground, and behind the baseline, at the point of contact. You may not step on the baseline or into the court until after you make contact with the pickleball on your serve. An illegal serve is a serve that violates one of these rules.
Imaginary Extension – An imaginary extension is the term used to describe where a line on the pickleball court would be if the line were to be continued. Imaginary extension lines are an import concept during serves on the pickleball court.
Indian Wells Tennis Garden – Indian Wells Tennis Garden is a beautiful facility outside of Palm Springs, California, where the USA Pickleball Association hosts the USA Pickleball National Championships.
Indoor – Pickleball can be played indoors or outdoors. Indoors pickleball differs from outdoors pickleball as (1) the type of pickleball for indoors play is a bit softer, which lends to a slower, higher game indoors than outdoors; and (2) poor lighting, blurry rafters, and a slew of lines on the court may play a factor in indoors pickleball, while the wind and sun may play a factor in outdoors pickleball.
Inside Out – An inside out shot in pickleball is an advanced specialty shot that generates spin on the side of the pickleball (to note, a right-handed inside out forehand will generate clockwise sideways spin, while a left-handed inside out forehand will generate counterclockwise sideways spin). This spin is different than a top spin or a slice because the spin is moving horizontal, rather than vertical. As a result, an inside out forehand will not have as much effect on the bounce of the pickleball (and, to note, will generally keep its spin after the bounce). Rather, an inside out forehand will cause the pickleball to curve or hook in the air.
Inside the Lines and Over the Net – One golden rule of pickleball is to hit the pickleball inside the lines and over the net one more time than your opponents. It’s that simple.
IPTPA – The International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association is an organization that certifies pickleball teachers across the world.
Irina Tereschenko – Irina Tereschenko is a former tennis player, turned pickleball pro, who consistently finds herself atop the medal podium. Irina’s wins include the 2018 USA Pickleball National Championships Women’s Pro Doubles gold medal with her partner, Lucy Kovalova.
Isolate – One common strategy on the pickleball courts is to find the weaker opponent, or identify a weakness in your opponents, and isolate them.
DO YOU KNOW ANY ADDITIONAL PICKLEBALL TERMS THAT START WITH THE LETTER “I”?
Do you know any additional pickleball terms, phrases, words, people, or organizations that start with the letter “I” to add to The Pickleball Dictionary? Share with us in the comments below!
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Updated as of December 3, 2020
