Mastering the Dink in Pickleball: Tips and Techniques

Being a master in pickleball is hard. Learning the essential pickleball shots and being an expert doesn’t happen overnight. It requires a lot of patience and practice. Dink is one of the hard shots to master. It requires precision and control. Professional pickleball players like Ben Johns, Lucy Kovalova, and Kyle Yates effectively use dinks in their games to gain more advantage. In this blog we will discuss the Pickleball Dink Technique

For a paddle that focuses on precision and control, check out 101 Pickleball’s Zen Control.

What is a Dink Shot?

A dink is a “must-have” soft shot intended to neutralize your opponent. It goes just over the net and lands in your opponent’s kitchen or non-volley zone (NVZ). With a dink shot, you control your opponent and force them to play the soft game with you, preventing them from hitting the ball hard. 

Cross-Court Dink

A cross-court dink is when you hit the ball diagonally towards your opponent’s kitchen. A cross-court dink gives you a wider range. When you do it across, you have limited space to hit it to and would likely land just in front of your opponent. If you hit it diagonally, the ball has more space to land nearer to the net and your opponent has to move and catch it.

With cross-court dink, you also get more advantage when it comes to height. If you do it across, you need to hit it low to be able to hit the kitchen. If you hit it diagonally, there is more room for mistakes in case you hit it a little high and it will still land on the kitchen.

Either you do it directly across your opponent or diagonally, your goal is to prevent your opponent from smashing the ball to you. It would be tough to hit the ball hard from the NVZ, anyway. The ball may end up hitting the net or out of the court.

How to perform a dink shot in pickleball?

1. Get in your ready position. Bend your knees, not your waist or back.
2. Hold your paddle in a continental grip.
3. Swing from your shoulder.
4. Hit the ball softly or “push” it upwards toward your opponent’s kitchen or NVZ.
5. Return to your ready position to anticipate any shots from your opponent.

Tips on Making the Dink for beginners

1. Make sure your wrist and elbow are stiff.
2. Don’t bend your wrist because it will change the direction of the paddle, which will change the direction of the ball from where you intend it to be.
3. While in the ready position, put your feet slightly apart. Stay at the ball of your feet with heels slightly up to let you reach and hit near your sides easily.
4. Practice. Practice. Practice to improve your skills. You can do it at home or in pickleball courts near you. Just search for “outdoor pickleball court near me” or “indoor pickleball court near me”. Most pickleball courts offer lessons and clinics, which are helpful especially if you’re a beginner.
5. Patience is very important with dinking. You might end up dinking a couple of times before catching your opponent off guard.
6. Choose the best control pickleball paddle like the Selkirk Invikta LUXX Control Air paddle, or the Volair pickleball paddle Mach 2. You can also use lightweight pickleball paddles like the Selkirk Vanguard Control series. You can also try 101 Pickleball’s Zen Control, a lightweight and control paddle.
   

Common Mistakes in Dinking:

1. Hitting Too Hard: Many players tend to swing too aggressively, which can lead to high, attackable balls. Instead, use a gentle, controlled motion, keeping your wrist soft to ensure the ball stays low. Practice focusing on placement over power.

2. Footwork and Balance: Dinking requires proper footwork. Shuffle step into position rather than lunging or reaching. Staying balanced allows for better control, while poor footwork can result in missed shots or weak dinks that opponents can exploit.

3. Impatience: Dinking is all about wearing down your opponent. A common error is to lose patience and attempt an attack too early. Instead, keep the rally going by strategically moving the ball around, forcing your opponent to make a mistake. Stick to your game plan, and only go for a harder shot when the opportunity arises.

4. Not Following Through: Another frequent mistake is stopping your paddle mid-motion, which leads to inconsistent dink shots. Always follow through with your paddle, even on softer shots, to maintain control over the direction and spin.

Strategic Positioning Tips for Dinking:

1. Proximity to the Kitchen Line: Always stay close to the kitchen (non-volley zone) without stepping inside it. This enables quicker reaction time and allows you to execute the dink with more precision and minimizes the opportunity for a high ball that your opponent could smash. Being close to the line also helps you get back quickly in case of a surprise lob.

2. Cross-Court Dinks for Space: The cross-court dink is an effective strategy because it gives you a larger margin of error. The longer diagonal distance provides more time for you to react and forces your opponent to cover more ground, reducing their ability to aggressively respond. Plus, targeting their backhand side with a cross-court dink can often result in weaker returns.

3. Forcing Movement: Dinking isn't just about hitting a soft shot; it's about forcing your opponent into uncomfortable positions. Mix up your shots by alternating between dinks to the forehand, backhand, and deeper into the court. This makes it harder for your opponent to settle into a rhythm, increasing their chances of making an unforced error.

4. Offensive Dinks: Though traditionally a defensive shot, a well-placed dink can also be offensive. Use the dink to set up a winning shot by drawing your opponent in and creating an opening in their court. Once they’re forced to return a difficult low shot, you can seize the opportunity to attack.

5. Be Ready for the Reset: Opponents might try to speed up the game after a series of dinks by hitting a faster, lower shot. Always stay prepared with your paddle up and in front, ready to either return to dinking or counter with an offensive shot if they attempt to break the rhythm.

Hopefully, you learned a lot about the dink shot. Now, you’re ready to try it and improve your game. Don’t forget that a dink is a soft shot so you don’t need to hit it hard or else you’ll hit the net. Hit it softly with controlled shots, and use your shoulder. A dink is difficult to master and if you don’t get it right immediately, it’s ok. It takes a lot of practice to become an expert dinker.

Don’t forget to wear proper pickleball attire to help you move around freely. Never skip warm-up before playing pickleball to avoid pickleball-related injuries like a pickleball elbow.

FAQs

1. What is a dink in pickleball?
   A dink is a soft, controlled shot in pickleball designed to land in your opponent's kitchen, preventing them from making a strong return.

2. Why is dinking important in pickleball?
   Dinking helps control the pace of the game and forces your opponent into a defensive position, making it easier to win rallies.

3. How do I improve my dink shot?
   Focus on soft hands, staying close to the kitchen line, and practicing cross-court dinks to improve control.

4. What is the best positioning for dinking?
   Stay close to the kitchen line, keeping your body balanced and paddle ready, so you can react quickly.

5. How can I avoid hitting the dink too high?
   Use a soft, controlled stroke and maintain proper footwork to avoid popping the ball up.

6. When should I attack after dinking?
   Only attack when your opponent hits a high dink or makes a mistake, giving you an opportunity to finish the point.

7. What are common mistakes to avoid while dinking?
   Common mistakes include hitting too hard, poor footwork, and losing patience, which can lead to errors and easy points for your opponent.