What's a Dink?
What’s a Dink?
A Dink is an essential part of the pickleball game. It is a finesse shot that is used to control the pace of the game and to gain an advantage over your opponent who may be stronger or faster. It can be a game equalizer. Use your pickleball paddle to hit a dink, but first understand what a dink truly is...
A Dink:
- A Dink is NOT a drop shot, although similar. A Dink is hit from the non-volley zone while a drop shot is hit from baseline.
- A Dink is a soft shot hit on a bounce from the non-volley zone. It is intended to arc over the net and land within the opposing non-volley zone. It can land either straight across or diagonally in crosscourt.
- An effective Dink should arc downward as it crosses the net. This will create a more difficult shot to return than a power shot would.
- Because of the steep angle required to get the ball over the net, Dinks that land close to the net are the most difficult for the opponent to return.
- Because the net is lower in the center, crosscourt Dinks are easier and you can force your opponent off the court, potentially opening a hole after the return.
- The Dink shot should be soft and controlled with movement from the shoulder, no wrist break and minimal or no backswing to avoid overpowering the ball.
- Continue to dink until the opponent makes a mistake. If the ball is hit too high, there is a good chance for a put-away shot. So Dink with patience.