Good players use drop shots to get to the net and set up dinking rallies, leveling the playing field and creating opportunities to win points. As you improve, you’ll find yourself doing the same—working your way to the net with drop shots and gearing up for those dink battles.
Dinking Setup
You have successfully hit a good third shot drop and you and your partner have advanced to the net.
1 – Good Drop Shot
Your third shot drop is not attackable, and your opponent dinks your shot back over the net. This is often their best play if the drop shot is not attackable.
Otherwise, they risk popping it up or volleying it with an upward swing motion.
This will make their volley attackable by you as you have moved in.
2 – Dink Return
You respond with a dink. You are now in a dinking rally.
Dinking Rally and Patience
A pickleball dinking rally is the ultimate patience test—like a game of chess played with paddles. Whichever team blinks first (read: makes a mistake) is usually the one to lose the point.
Stay calm, stay focused, and let your opponent make the first misstep.
When an opportunity does present itself—a dink floating above net height and within reach—don’t hesitate. That’s your chance to attack. Volley the ball hard to an open spot, down at your opponent’s feet or hit it right at them. If no opportunity arises, keep dinking and aim for the toughest spots for your opponent to handle, keeping them off balance.
Kitchen Rules and Dinking Technique
Remember, you can step into the kitchen to hit a ball that bounces there—just be sure to step back out quickly. If you’re in the kitchen your opponent may speed up their next dink right at you. If you touch it while you’re in the kitchen it is point over in their favor. A single step in with one foot should be enough to make the shot.
Successful dinking requires soft hands and a smooth stroke. Any stiffness in your grip or motion is a recipe for disaster—think popped-up shots begging to be smashed or dinks hitting the net. Regular practice will help you develop the precision needed to land your shots softly and consistently over the net.
The Practice Dilemma
Finding time to practice dinking is often easier said than done. Depending on the situation and players, warm-ups can be rushed or skipped entirely as everyone is eager to jump into games. This lack of dedicated practice can leave your dinking game feeling rusty when it matters most.
If you have the chance to reserve a court for yourself or a small group, prioritize focused dinking drills. Even brief practice sessions can sharpen your soft touch and make a big difference in your gameplay. Remember, consistent practice builds confidence and control for those high-stakes rallies.
Summary
At an advanced level, dinking rallies are inevitable. Both teams will use successful drop shots to slow the game down and set the stage for a battle of patience and precision.
Advanced players understand the value of dinking, preferring to fight it out with finesse rather than attempt risky attack shots against a well-placed drop shot. Mastering the dink isn’t just a skill; it’s your ticket to winning those high-level rallies—and maybe even to outsmarting those eager power players.
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Keep Learning
- Watch the video 🎥 below of a Dinking rally.
- Read the post on how to hit a dink shot: Pickleball Dink Shot – How to hit an Effective Dink
- Read the next post in the Dinking series: Stay Connected in Pickleball – Footwork and Tethering Explained
🎥Great Dinking Rally
Courtesy of Selkirk TV
Watch this Dinking Rally on Youtube.