Chapter 5 - How to Dink

The Dink is the most common engagement shot in pickleball and serves as the foundation for the drop shot. Mastering the dink is essential for high-level play.

What is a Dink?

A dink is a soft shot hit into the opponent's Non-Volley Zone (NVZ). The ball should travel in a low, flat trajectory over the net (ideally clearing it by just a ball's height) and land in the front half of the opponent's NVZ or near the kitchen line.

Three Types of Dink Targets

Dinking is crucial in doubles. Based on placement, it falls into three categories:

• Straight Dink: Hitting the ball directly in front of you (e.g., from your left court to the opponent's right). While easier to execute, straight dinks often have a higher or deeper trajectory, making them easier for the opponent to attack.

• Cross-court (Diagonal) Dink: Hitting the ball diagonally to the opposite court (e.g., left court to left court). This is the preferred shot because:

  • The court is longer diagonally, offering a larger margin for error.

  • The net is lower in the middle (34 inches vs. 36 inches at the posts).

  • It enters the opponent's court at an angle, making it harder to attack.

  • Note: If the bounce goes wide of the sideline, be alert for an Around-The-Post (ATP) counter-attack.

• Middle Dink: Placing the ball between the two opponents. This can cause confusion about who should take the shot, potentially forcing a weak return.

Strategy Tip: Generally, favor the cross-court dink. It minimizes unforced errors and limits the opponent's ability to volley. For example, to attack a straight dink, your return speed needs to be precise (5.0–6.8 m/s), whereas a cross-court dink allows for more speed (6.4–9.2 m/s). When scrambling or off-balance, aim for the middle to buy time and safely clear the low part of the net.

When to Use the Dink

Use a dink when:

• The opponent is at the net and you want to neutralize their attack.

• The opponent hits a long ball that isn't high enough to drive.

• You need to reset the point from a defensive position.

The primary goal of dinking is patience: keep the ball low to prevent the opponent from attacking (volleying/smashing) while waiting for them to make a mistake or pop the ball up.

Mastering the Dink

A good dink is unattackable—it stays low and lands shallow. If it's too high or deep, the opponent can slam it.

Technique:

1. Stance: Stand close to the NVZ line with knees bent (athletic stance).

2. Motion: Use a simple lifting motion from the shoulder (pendulum swing). Keep the wrist firm and the paddle face stable, pointing slightly up.

3. Contact: Push the ball gently; avoid a large backswing. Meet the ball in front of your body.

4. Follow-through: Guide the paddle forward slightly toward the target. Recover quickly to the "paddle up" ready position.

Dink Ball Should Pass Net in a Low Trajectory

Advanced Dinking (Spins): Once consistent, add spin to pressure the opponent:

• Topspin: The ball drops sharply after crossing the net and kicks forward upon landing, forcing a difficult half-volley or retreating shot. Best used on cross-court dinks.

• Backspin (Slice): The ball floats further and skids low upon landing, limiting the opponent's reaction time.

• Sidespin: Creates unpredictable bounces, complicating the return.

Trajectories Using Various Spins

Placement Strategy:

• Defensive: Aim for the center of the NVZ to stay safe.

• Offensive: Push the ball intothe corners or at the opponent's feet to force movement. A "dead dink" deep in the kitchen can also freeze the opponent, forcing a decision between volleying or letting it bounce.

Speeding Up (The Attack)

When dinking, watch for a ball that floats too high. This is your cue to "speed up" or attack.

When to Attack

1. The "Pop-Up": If the ball clears the net with too much height, attack it downward towards the opponent's feet or open court.

2. Off-Balance Opponent: If the opponent is reaching or stumbling, speed up the ball to their body or open space.

3. Surprise: Occasionally flick a speed-up shot directly at the opponent's chest (the "chicken wing" area) to jam them.

Target Selection

• Green Zone (Target): Aim for the feet, the backhand hip, or low open spaces.

• Red Zone (Avoid): Avoid hitting to the opponent's forehand strike zone or high near their head/shoulders, as they can easily counter-attack.

• Yellow Zone: The body/chest area can be a target but be ready for a block.

Select the Targets to Attack

Defending the Attack

When the opponent speeds up:

• Counter-Attack: If the ball is high/slow enough, slap it back.

• Reset: If the shot is good (fast/low), soft-block it back into the kitchen (drop volley) to neutralize the rally back to a dinking game.

Training Methods

1. Wall Dinks: Stand 7 feet from a wall. Volley or bounce-hit continuously to a target mark 34 inches high. Aim for 100 consecutive hits.

2. Multi-Ball Drills: Have a partner feed balls to your feet; practice lifting them gently into the NVZ target zones.

3. Shadow Dinking: Move laterally along the NVZ line with a partner, maintaining a cross-court dink rally.

4. "Dink or Drive" Game: Rally only in the kitchen. If a player pops it up, the other can attack. If the attack is defended, reset to dinking.

Key Reminders:

• Be patient. Don't force an attack on a good dink.

• Move your feet. Get behind the ball; don't just reach with your arm.

• Breathe. Exhale on contact to stay relaxed.

• Soft hands, strong legs. Power comes from stability, finesse comes from a loose grip.