Are you new to the world of pickleball and wondering what all these strange terms mean? Well, get ready to add a new word to your vocabulary: Dink. No, it’s not a typo or an insult – in fact, it’s an essential technique that can make or break your game.
So whether you’re a seasoned player looking to refine your skills or a curious beginner seeking knowledge, read on to discover everything you need to know about the elusive Dink in pickleball!
What is a Dink?
A dink is a light and soft shot in pickleball that just clears the net and drops into your opponent’s court. You hit a dink by holding the paddle low and close to the ground and making contact with the ball near the center of the paddle. The purpose of a dink is to keep your opponents from getting to the ball and to force them to move around the court, tiring them out.
Types of Dinks
There are many different types of dinks in pickleball. Some of the most common include:
- The drop shot dink: This is when you hit the ball softly and let it drop over the net.
- The lob dink: This is when you hit the ball high into the air so that it drops behind your opponent.
- The angle dink: This is when you hit the ball at an angle, making it difficult for your opponents to return.
- The topspin dink: This is when you hit the ball with topspin, making it spin forward after it hits the ground.
When to Use a Dink?
A dink is a soft, controlled shot in pickleball that just clears the net and drops into your opponent’s no-volley zone. Dinks are used to keep the rally going and to put pressure on your opponent.
There are a few situations when you should use a dink:
- When your opponent is at the non-volley line and you want to keep the rally going
- When your opponent is at the baseline and you want to force them to come to the net
- When you have an opportunity to put your opponent out of position
- When you want to put pressure on your opponent
What is the Correct Way to Dink in Pickleball?
A dink is a soft, low-power shot in pickleball. It is used to keep the ball in play and to force the opponent to move around the court.
To execute a dink, hold the paddle close to the ground and make contact with the ball just above the net. Use a light backhand stroke to hit the ball softly and keep it low over the net. The goal is to make it difficult for your opponent to reach and return the ball.
Dinking can be used as both an offensive and defensive strategy. When used offensively, dinking can help you keep control of the rally and force your opponent into making mistakes. When used defensively, dinking can help you stay in the game and tire out your opponent.
Whether you are using dinking as an offensive or defensive strategy, remember to mix up your shots and keep your opponents guessing. Try different angles, speeds, and spins to keep them on their toes. And most importantly, have fun!
Conclusion:
Pickleball is a great game to play both socially and competitively. The dink shot, when played correctly, can be a powerful tool in the pickleball player’s arsenal. We hope that this article has helped you understand what a dink is in pickleball and how it can help your game. Remember that practice makes perfect so take some time to practice your dink shots at the next available opportunity.
