Quick answer: A dink is a soft pickleball shot, hit from near the net, that arcs over and lands in your opponent's kitchen so they cannot attack it. To hit one, bend your knees, keep your paddle in front, and use a short, smooth push.
If one shot separates the confident players from the nervous ones, it is the dink. It looks gentle and polite, and that is exactly why it is deadly.
What is a dink in pickleball?
A dink is a soft shot that lands in your opponent's kitchen. Because it drops low and close to the net, it is hard to attack. Players trade dinks until someone gets impatient and makes a mistake, or someone pops a ball up high enough to put away.
Why dinking matters
Power is not how most points are won in pickleball. Patience is. A good dink keeps you in control, makes your opponent hit up instead of down, and sets up the shot you actually want. It also saves you from the classic move of smashing a hard ball into the net.
How to hit a dink, step by step
- Get near the kitchen line. Stand just behind it, knees bent, weight on the balls of your feet.
- Keep the paddle in front. Around waist height, ready to go either way.
- Use a short, smooth push. Think gentle pendulum from the shoulder, not a wrist flick.
- Hit it out in front. Early contact means better control.
- Aim for a small arc. Clear the net by a few inches and drop it into the kitchen.
- Reset. Back to ready position after every shot. Every. Single. One.
Common dink mistakes
Swinging too hard, popping the ball up, and standing too far back. If your dinks sit up like a gift to your opponent, bend your knees and aim lower. If they keep hitting the net, add a little lift and make contact in front of your body.
A simple dink drill
Grab a partner, stand at the kitchen lines, and try to dink back and forth 20 times with no misses. It is harder than it sounds and it will humble you quickly.
Dink FAQ
Is a dink legal?
Yes. A dink is a normal, legal shot. Just keep your volleys out of the kitchen.
Do you hit a dink before or after a bounce?
Either one. Many dinks are hit after the ball bounces, and some are volleyed from outside the kitchen.
What is the difference between a dink and a drop?
A dink is a soft shot hit from near the net. A third shot drop is a soft shot hit from farther back. Watch how it lands and how your opponents respond before you move up to the net.
Where should I aim my dink?
Start with the middle of the court, then try the sidelines once you feel steady.
New to the game? Our beginner's guide to how to play pickleball covers the rules. Ready to dink in style? Browse our pickleball paddles for women.