When dinking in pickleball, you can direct the ball either forward or cross-court. Both shots are effective when executed well but the cross-court dink is your best option.
Foward Dink
A forward dink aimed right at your opponents covers less distance and may be easier to pop up, so hitting it cross-court and close to the net helps keep it out of reach of opponents waiting at the net.
Below is an illustration of forward dinking.
If you do hit the dink shot forward, aim softly into the middle of the court to create indecision between your opponents on who will play the response dink. If you hit directly ahead, aim for the backhand side of the opponent in front of you. Knowing who has a backhand in the middle at the start of each point allows you to target that spot consistently.
Always use a gentle, smooth stroke to arc the ball just over the net and into your chosen spot in the kitchen. With practice, you can add spin to your forward dinks to make them even harder for your opponents to return effectively.
Cross Court Dink
A cross-court dink offers more length and allows for a bit more speed. Aim the ball across to the opposite side, hitting it as close to the net as possible, making sure it clears the net and stays out of your opponent’s reach.
Below is an illustration of cross-court dinking.
Mastering the cross-court dink also gives you a significant advantage if your opponent has a weaker backhand. In a cross-court dinking rally, if you and your opponent involved are right-handed, you will both be using your backhand for the cross-court dink shot.
A good cross-court dink shot is a game-changer as you advance in your play.
Summary:
Mastering the dink shot is a critical part of advancing your game in pickleball. The cross-court dink is your best option, and you should use it as much as possible when in a dinking duel.