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The Pickleball Dictionary: Pickleball Terms that Start with the Letter “M”

Strategy & Technique Stacie Townsend 01-11-2020

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 “M”

The pickleball terms, phrases, words, people, and organizations that start with the letter “M” include:

Machine – Pickleball machines were invented to help players drill and practice more efficiently. Pickleball machines are able to produce a variety of shots with varying spins and pace. Some well-known pickleball machines include the Pickleball Tutor and the Lobster Pickleball Machine.

Mark Friedenberg – Mark Friedenberg was the first president of the “new” USA Pickleball Association, which was organized as a not-for-profit corporation in 2005. Mark, an outstanding pickleball player and multi-time national champion, was inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame in 2017 for his contribution to the sport of pickleball.

Mark Renneson – Mark Renneson is a well-known coach and commentator around the pickleball world. Mark, who is the head coach behind Third Shot Sports, is especially known for his informative, yet fun, online newsletter and videos.

Match – A match in pickleball is a complete competition. A match is frequently made up of multiple games (e.g. best two out of three games, each to 11 points), or can be a single game (e.g. one game to 15 points or one game to 21 points).

Matt Wright – Matt Wright, a former number 1 tennis player at the University of Michigan and currently a corporate attorney, is a top pickleball pro. He frequently tops the podium in both men’s and mixed doubles events (frequently, with Lucy Kovalova), including with marquee wins at the USA Pickleball National Championships and US Open Pickleball Championships.

“Me” – Communication is key on the pickleball courts. One common phrase used by pickleball players to communicate between partners is “ME!” when exclaiming that you will hit the pickleball yourself.

Mechanics – Proper mechanics and fundamentals help players hit consistent shots on the pickleball courts, and being consistent is a key to success on the pickleball courts.

Medal – What every competitive Pickler loves to receive at the end of a long tournament day on the pickleball courts—a medal!

Melissa McCurley – Melissa McCurley is the President of PickleballTournaments.com (a division of Pickleball Station, LLC and one of the well-known software companies in the sport of pickleball). Melissa is frequently found at the largest tournaments across the country, helping manage the software and keep pickleball tournaments organized and timely. She may also appear on a livestream from time to time, providing interesting and informative commentary.

Men’s Doubles – Men’s doubles is played with all-male teams—in other words, two teams with two-men on each team.

Mental Game – Your mental game on the pickleball courts can be just as important as your physical game, so work on your mental game! To help you with your pickleball mental game, check out Pickler’s e-book, The Pickleball Mental Edge: Learnings from Pickleball Pros and Pickleball Enthusiasts to Improve Your Pickleball Mental Game.

Michelle Esquivel – Michelle Esquivel is a rising star on the pickleball pro circuit. Michelle is well-known for her great pickleball singles play, but is also making waves for her terrific pickleball doubles play, as she recently won multiple medals at the USA Pickleball National Championships.

Midcourt – Midcourt is the area on the pickleball court between the baseline and the non-volley zone or kitchen line. It is also referred to as “No-Man’s Land” or the “Transition Zone.”

Middle – The middle of the pickleball court is the area near or around the centerline. This is the area that a large number of pickleballs should be directed. As the saying goes, “Down the middle solves the riddle.”

Misdirection Shots – A misdirection shot on the pickleball court is a shot hit in the opposite direction of what is natural or what the setup of the shot looks like. In other words, imagine a right-handed player on the even/right-hand side of the pickleball court. The player lifts up the paddle, looking like he or she is about to hit the pickleball down the middle of the court. Then, all of a sudden and at the last second, the player manipulates his or her wrist and paddle to the inside of the pickleball, and sends the pickleball down the line. The player misdirects the pickleball from the natural shot or what the setup of the shot looked like.

Mishit – A mishit is exactly what it sounds like—a stroke of the pickleball that is not hit squarely on your paddle. It could be a hit off your handle, your thumb or fingers, or off the rubber edge guard of your paddle.

Mistake – Mistakes are what all pickleball players try to avoid. The player or team that can minimize mistakes will often come out victorious.

Mixed Doubles – Mixed doubles is played with male-female teams—in other words, each team on the pickleball court has one man and one woman.

Momentum – Momentum plays a large part on the pickleball courts. Oftentimes, a player or team can go on a good or bad streak, winning or losing a bunch of points in a row. Be aware of momentum when you are on the pickleball courts, especially during tournament or competitive play—to note, one of the easiest ways to break momentum is to take a time out!

Monarch PickleballMonarch Pickleball is a brand of pickleball paddles and equipment created by Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Moore Family – The Moore family is one of the well-known families in the sport of pickleball and the people behind Pickleball Trips. The Moore family includes Scott Moore, senior pro and 16-time national champion, and sons, Jon Moore and Daniel Moore, 6-time national champion.

Morgan Evans – Morgan Evans, a native of Australia, is a well-known pickleball pro and pro pickleball coach. He has won countless medals over the years and has helped coach countless players to the medal podium, too.

Movement – Movement on the pickleball court is essential. Not only will quick feet allow you to track down more shots and keep you in a lot of points, movement to the proper court position will help you create angles of attack for you and your partner and minimize angles of attack for your opponents.

My Pro Pickleball CoachMy Pro Pickleball Coach is a platform created by Pickler to help you play your best pickleball. Pickler has teamed up with pickleball pro and pickleball coach, Steve Kennedy, to bring you My Pro Pickleball Coach, which features a compilation of over 140 videos, as well as this corresponding e-book, that breaks down every aspect of the sport of pickleball, including pickleball mechanics, fundamentals, strategy, and drills. Are you ready to play your best pickleball?

DO YOU KNOW ANY ADDITIONAL PICKLEBALL TERMS THAT START WITH THE LETTER “M”?

Do you know any additional pickleball terms, phrases, words, people, or organizations that start with the letter “M” to add to The Pickleball Dictionary? Share with us in the comments below!

WANT MORE PICKLEBALL TERMS?

Updated as of January 6, 2021

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