The soft game is one of the most important and strategic aspects of pickleball. While power and speed can win points, the ability to control dinks and force opponents into extended dink rallies separates great players from the rest.
If you’ve ever struggled with dinking consistency, placement, or strategy, this guide will teach you:
- Why dinking is essential in pickleball
- How to execute a perfect dink shot
- Strategic dinking techniques to control rallies
- How to force errors and set up winning shots
- Common dinking mistakes and how to fix them
- Drills to improve your soft game
By the end of this article, you’ll have the skills to out-dink your opponents and dominate the kitchen line.
Why is Dinking So Important in Pickleball?
Many players think of dinking as just a way to extend rallies, but it’s actually one of the most strategic tools in the game.
✔️ Takes away your opponent’s ability to attack – A well-placed dink forces soft, controlled shots.
✔️ Creates opportunities for putaways – Smart dinking forces pop-ups, setting you up for a winning shot.
✔️ Slows down aggressive players – If you can keep the game slow, you can neutralize power hitters.
✔️ Increases consistency and control – The best players know how to play patiently and wait for the right moment to attack.
📌 Pro Tip: Players who don’t have a strong dinking game rely too much on power and often make unforced errors when rallies slow down.
How to Execute a Perfect Dink Shot
A good dink is soft, controlled, and lands in your opponent’s kitchen with just enough height to clear the net.
1️⃣ Use a Relaxed, Loose Grip
- A soft grip (around 4-5 on a scale of 10) helps absorb the ball’s energy.
- Tight grips create too much power, leading to dinks that float too high.
2️⃣ Keep a Low-to-High Swing Motion
- Start with your paddle below the ball and lift gently upward.
- Avoid chopping or flicking at the ball—smooth control is key.
3️⃣ Aim for the Kitchen with a Low Bounce
- The ball should barely clear the net and land near your opponent’s feet.
- If it’s too high, your opponent will attack—if it’s too low, it may hit the net.
📌 Pro Tip: Try to land your dinks closer to the opponent’s sideline rather than the middle of the court.
4️⃣ Stay Balanced and Keep Your Paddle Up
- Keep your knees slightly bent to stay low and stable.
- Keep your paddle out in front so you’re ready for quick exchanges.
📌 Pro Tip: Players who stand too upright struggle with fast dink exchanges—stay low and engaged.
Dinking Strategies to Control Rallies
1️⃣ Crosscourt Dinking
Why it works:
- Gives you more margin for error over the net.
- Forces your opponent to move more, tiring them out.
- Makes it harder to attack because they must hit at an angle.
How to do it:
- Aim your dinks diagonally across the court, landing deep in the kitchen.
- Keep it low to force your opponent into soft returns.
📌 Pro Tip: If you notice your opponent struggling with movement, keep them moving side to side with crosscourt dinks.
2️⃣ Dinking to the Opponent’s Backhand
Why it works:
- Most players are weaker on their backhand.
- Forces awkward shots, increasing the chance of mistakes.
How to do it:
- Pay attention to whether your opponent favors their forehand and target their backhand side instead.
- If they start adjusting, mix in forehand dinks to keep them guessing.
📌 Pro Tip: A well-placed dink to the backhand often results in a pop-up you can attack.
3️⃣ Fast-Paced Dinking Exchanges
Why it works:
- Forces quick reflexes and challenges consistency.
- Makes it harder for your opponent to reset.
How to do it:
- Instead of soft, slow dinks, speed up the tempo with quick, controlled dinks.
- Keep your paddle in front of you to be ready for fast exchanges.
📌 Pro Tip: If your opponent struggles with fast-paced dinks, increase the speed to pressure them into errors.
4️⃣ Surprise Dink Lobs
Why it works:
- Opponents expect dinks to stay low—a well-placed lob catches them off guard.
- Forces them to retreat, giving you control of the net.
How to do it:
- Use a soft, high-arching lob from the kitchen line.
- Aim deep in the opponent’s backcourt to push them out of position.
📌 Pro Tip: Use this strategy sparingly—if they start expecting lobs, they may attack them aggressively.
Common Dinking Mistakes & How to Fix Them
❌ Hitting Dinks Too Hard
🚫 If your dinks are floating too high, your opponent will attack.
✅ Fix it: Use a softer grip and let the paddle absorb the ball’s energy.
❌ Standing Too Upright
🚫 If you stand too tall, it’s harder to react quickly.
✅ Fix it: Bend your knees and stay low and balanced.
❌ Paddling Too Much with the Wrist
🚫 Flicking the wrist causes uncontrolled dinks.
✅ Fix it: Use your shoulder and arm for a smoother, more controlled stroke.
Drills to Improve Your Dinking Game
1️⃣ Kitchen Line Control Drill
- Stand at the kitchen line and practice hitting 10 consecutive dinks without missing.
- Focus on soft control and placement.
2️⃣ Target Dinking Drill
- Place cones or markers in the kitchen and try to land your dinks in those spots.
- Practice aiming for different locations to improve precision.
3️⃣ Fast-Paced Dink Rally Drill
- With a partner, hit dinks rapidly back and forth.
- Work on keeping control without popping the ball up.
📌 Pro Tip: The more you train different dink speeds, the more adaptable you’ll be in real matches.
Final Thoughts
Dinking isn’t just about keeping the ball in play—it’s a strategic weapon that can dictate points and force opponents into mistakes.
- Master soft control to keep your dinks low and unattackable.
- Use crosscourt dinks and target the backhand to pressure opponents.
- Mix up speeds and add surprise lobs to keep them guessing.
- Practice regularly to build consistency and confidence.
With these strategies, you’ll dominate dink rallies and take your soft game to the next level!
