A let ace is when a serve hits the top of the net then drops in the service area, and the receiving player can't get to it. Just tell them... "You've been lettuced!"

Be prepared! Have your paddle in front of you, with the edge facing your head, as you wait to return the ball. Return it to that ready position as soon as you hit the ball.

If a ball hits a permanent object (low ceiling, tree branch, friends not playing, et al) before bouncing - the player who hit the ball last gets a fault.

Shhh - A player who stops play to ask for a course correction - after the return of serve - commits a fault and loses the rally!

Here's a tip: Relax your grip! Fir dinking, your grip should be a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10.

A Fly Swatter is when you slam a ball into the net as you're trying to snag a high ball.

Nutmeg is a shot that goes right through your opponents' legs.

Shadowing your partner means moving when they move. Try to stay no more than 6 feet away from each other; this minimizes the area that is not "easily" covered by one of you.

Switch! It's a signal to your partner that you're crossing to your opposite side and they need to cover his side. Remember to go back to your correct position.

A little on rules for serving... Not only must you serve underhand, but every part of the paddle must remain below your waist until you connect with the ball.

An Erne (named for Erne Perry and not the Sesame Street character) is when you hit a volley (non-bounce) from your side of the court while jumping over the kitchen and landing out of bounds. Obviously, there has to be a Bert - it's the same action but from your partners' side of the court.

A body bag (aka body shot) is a shot aimed purposely at your opponent. I wouldn't do this during a friendly match. And remember 2 things:

• You can only hit the ball with the paddles; no body parts.

• If the ball hits you, YOU lose the rally.