What Is a Dink in Pickleball?
A dink is a soft, low shot that clears the net and lands in your opponent's kitchen, the non-volley zone next to the net. It's hit gently, with very little backswing, so the ball travels in a low arc and drops close to the net. If pickleball has a signature shot, this is it, and it's the reason our site is called Double Dink.
Why players dink
Dinking keeps the ball low and slow, so your opponent has trouble attacking it. Players who can't hit hard often win long rallies by dinking, waiting for a high ball they can put away, or forcing the other team to make a mistake. Dinking is patience with a paddle.
How to hit a good dink
Stay low by bending your knees rather than bending at the waist. Keep your paddle face up and in front of you, with a short, compact motion that comes mostly from the elbow and wrist. Aim for the deepest part of the kitchen, close to the far kitchen line, so your opponent has to hit up on the ball. Let the ball come to you, and clear the net with only a little height.
The kitchen rules that matter when you dink
You can't volley (hit the ball before it bounces) while you're standing in the kitchen or touching the kitchen line. You can step into the kitchen any time you're not volleying, and you can hit a ball that has bounced there. Watch your momentum too: if you volley near the line and your follow-through carries you into the kitchen, even after the ball is dead, it's a fault. If you've stepped in, get both feet back out before you volley. That's why most dinks are hit off the bounce, or from just behind the kitchen line.
Common dinking mistakes
Popping the ball up too high gives your opponent an easy attack. Swinging too hard turns a dink into a drive that lands long or in the net. Standing too upright makes you reach down and lose balance. Stepping into the kitchen to volley is a fault, even if the shot itself was perfect. And many players stop paying attention after a few dinks, so stay focused and ready for the next ball.
Simple dinking drills
Cross-court dink rally: with a partner, stand on opposite sides of the kitchen and dink diagonally back and forth. Count how many you can make in a row, then try to beat your number. Target dink: place a towel or ball on the far side of the kitchen and try to land your dinks on it. When you can hit it often, use a smaller target.