How to Dink in Pickleball: Technique, Footwork and Common Mistakes
A dink is a soft shot hit from near the kitchen that lands in the opponent’s kitchen. It forces your opponents to hit up, and it keeps the point under control.
The goal of a dink
Make your opponent hit the ball up so you can attack, or wait for a mistake. It is a game of patience.
Stance and grip
- Stand just behind the kitchen line with your knees bent.
- Hold the paddle in front of your body with your elbow slightly bent.
- Use a relaxed grip, about a 4 out of 10 in tension.
The swing
- Watch the ball and move your feet first.
- Keep the paddle face slightly open.
- Use a short, pendulum swing from the shoulder.
- Contact the ball in front of you.
- Let the ball just clear the net and fall in the kitchen.
Footwork
Take small steps and stay on your toes. Move your feet to the ball instead of reaching. After the shot, reset to a ready position with the paddle up.
Types of dinks
- Straight-ahead dink: a direct shot to the player opposite you.
- Cross-court dink: goes over the longest part of the net and keeps the ball away from the middle.
- Middle dink: aimed at the space between opponents to cause confusion.
Common mistakes
- Swinging too hard, which sends the ball high
- Reaching instead of moving your feet
- Dropping the paddle below your waist
- Looking at your opponent instead of the ball
- Dinking from inside the kitchen when you cannot volley
When to speed up
If the ball sits high above the net, attack it. Otherwise, keep dinking until your opponent makes an error. Patience wins many points at all levels.
A simple practice routine
- Dink cross-court with a partner for five minutes.
- Aim at a spot on the opponent’s side.
- Count how many dinks you hit in a row.
- Try to beat your count each session.
You will find more ideas in our drill guide. To understand where you can stand, read the kitchen rules. Once your dinks are steady, learn the third shot drop.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dink the same as a drop?
They are similar soft shots. A dink is played at the kitchen line, while a drop is usually hit from deeper in the court.
What paddle is best for dinking?
A paddle with a thicker core and a carbon face often feels precise. See carbon fiber vs fiberglass.