What is a dink in pickleball?

A dink is a soft shot hit from near the kitchen line that arcs just over the net and lands in your opponent's non-volley zone. It's designed to be unattackable, forcing your opponent to hit up on the ball.

When should I dink vs drive the ball?

Dink when both teams are at the kitchen line and there's no high ball to attack. Drive when you're at the baseline or when your opponent gives you a high ball above the net.

How to Master the Dink Shot | Daily Pickleball

Power gets attention. Dinking wins games. If you want to level up your pickleball, mastering the dink is non-negotiable.

What Is a Dink?

A dink is a soft, controlled shot that arcs just over the net and lands in your opponent’s kitchen. The goal is simple: make the ball unattackable so your opponent is forced to hit up, eventually giving you a ball you CAN attack.

Why Dinking Matters

At the beginner level, the player who hits harder usually wins. At the intermediate and advanced level, the player who dinks better wins. Here’s why:

Dinks neutralize power players. You can’t smash a ball that’s below the net.
Dinks create openings. Patient dinking forces opponents to reach, move laterally, or pop the ball up.
Dinks conserve energy. A rally of 30 soft dinks is far less tiring than 30 hard drives.

Dinking Fundamentals

Grip Pressure

Hold your paddle at about a 3 out of 10 grip pressure. Too tight and you’ll pop the ball up. Think of holding a tube of toothpaste without squeezing any out.

Paddle Position

Keep your paddle out in front of your body, slightly below the net level. Your elbow should be relaxed, not locked.

Use Your Legs

The power in a dink comes from a gentle bend and lift of the knees — not from your wrist or arm. Push up slightly as you contact the ball.

Aim Cross-Court

Cross-court dinks travel over the lowest part of the net and give you the most margin for error. Make cross-court your default, and go down the line only when your opponent is pulled wide.

Common Dinking Mistakes

Flicking the wrist — This adds uncontrollable power. Keep the wrist firm.
Standing too tall — Get low. Bend your knees, not your back.
Hitting to the same spot — Vary your placement to keep opponents guessing.
Rushing — Dinking is a patience game. Wait for the right ball to speed up.

Practice dinking for 10 minutes at the start of every session. Within a few weeks, you’ll notice opponents struggling to handle your soft game.