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Dink

Pickleball / Popular

Control soft shots into the kitchen without popping them up.

What coaches agree on

  • The whole point of a dink is to draw a ball you can attack while giving your opponent nothing they can attack - keep it low so they're the one forced to hit up.
  • Use a continental grip for your dinks - the same grip covers forehand, backhand, and volleys without ever switching.
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  • Favor hitting crosscourt when you have the option - it clears a lower part of the net and gives you more room to be aggressive than going down the line.

Common mistakes

  • Letting the wrist flick or move through contact - lock it and hit the shot from your shoulder instead.
  • Gripping the paddle too tightly - it's one of the most common causes of a popped-up dink; keep the pressure light, about a 3 or 4 out of 10.
  • Reaching out for the ball with your arm instead of shuffling your feet into position - it costs you a clean, consistent contact point.