Attacking a Bad Dink
In pickleball, one of your primary goals during a dinking rally is to spot and pounce on a bad dink from your opponent.
Dinking rallies almost always end in one of two ways:
- A mistake—typically a dink that doesn’t clear the net.
- An attack—when someone takes advantage of a poorly placed shot.
Your mission during the rally is to dink patiently while waiting for your opponent to mess up. Think of it as a high-stakes staring contest—except with paddles. As you improve, you’ll get better at recognizing these slip-ups and seizing the opportunity to strike.
When you spot a dink at or just above net height and within reach, don’t hold back. A quick, decisive volley can turn the rally in your favor. Don’t be shy—this is your moment!
That said, patience is key. Trying to attack an unattackable dink (anything below net height) is like trying to cut a steak with a spoon—frustrating and ultimately futile. Wait for the right opportunity, and when it comes, make it count!
Attack the Bad Dink
Below is an illustration of attacking a bad dink.
In the Illustration:
- You hit a controlled dink that lands just over the net, placing your opponent under pressure.
- Your opponent steps into the kitchen to play the response dink but miscalculates, hitting it slightly too hard and leaving the ball above net height and within reach.
- Your partner seizes the opportunity, volleying the high dink with precision for a put-away down the middle.
Summary
Always be on the lookout for any return dink that’s within your reach and above net height.
These shots are your opportunity to go on the offensive—be aggressive and put it away. Don’t hesitate; chances like these don’t come often.
Ready to level up your dinking game? Click the link below to explore the next post on the Dink Fake and how to keep your opponents guessing!
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