So, you’ve mastered the basics of the dink. You’re soft-tapping the ball over the net, keeping it low, and landing it gently in your opponent’s kitchen. Congratulations! You’ve officially graduated from Pickleball 101. But now it’s time to level up—because if basic dinking is checkers, advanced dinking is chess. And trust me, there’s nothing more satisfying than winning a dink battle that leaves your opponent questioning their life choices.
Ready to play mind games in the kitchen? Let’s dive into the art of advanced dinking, where strategy meets finesse, and every shot feels like a mic drop.
What Is Advanced Dinking?
Advanced dinking is more than just getting the ball over the net. It’s about strategy, deception, and making your opponent work harder than they did on their taxes. You’re not just hitting the ball—you’re playing a mental game, luring your opponent into mistakes and setting up opportunities to win the rally.
Think of it as a dance: soft touch, precise placement, and a little bit of flair to keep your opponent guessing. Bonus points if you can make them trip over their own feet in the process.
Key Elements of Advanced Dinking
1. Placement, Placement, Placement
In basic dinking, you’re just trying to land the ball in the kitchen. In advanced dinking, you’re aiming for specific spots to put your opponent in awkward positions.
Where to Aim:
- At Their Feet: Make them bend, stretch, and wish they’d done more yoga.
- To the Sidelines: Force them to reach wide, opening up the court for your next shot.
- Cross-Court: This gives you more room for error and keeps them running diagonally like a confused crab.
Pro Tip: Always keep your dinks unpredictable. If they know where you’re aiming, you’re toast (and not the good, avocado kind).
2. Vary the Speed and Spin
If every dink you hit is the same, you’re essentially a human ball machine. Mix it up to keep your opponent on their toes—and maybe a little off balance.
- Speed: Alternate between slower, lofted dinks and faster, more aggressive ones. Think “butterfly” one moment, “angry hornet” the next.
- Spin: Add topspin to make the ball jump forward or backspin to keep it low and tricky. Spin is the pickleball equivalent of adding seasoning—spice it up!
Pro Tip: A well-spun dink can make your opponent’s return pop up, setting you up for the kill shot. And who doesn’t love a kill shot?
3. Deception Is Your New Best Friend
The best way to win a dink battle? Make your opponent think you’re doing one thing, then do something completely different. Channel your inner magician and pull off a disappearing act with your shot direction.
Examples:
- Fake a cross-court dink, then hit it straight down the line.
- Show a big backswing like you’re going for a smash, then gently dink it instead.
- Look one way and hit the ball the other. If you can sell it, they’ll be lunging in the wrong direction like they’re chasing a ghost.
Pro Tip: Deception isn’t just about winning the point—it’s about making them wonder if they’ve been duped. Psychological warfare at its finest.
4. Engage in Dink Battles (and Know When to End Them)
Dink battles are the heart of advanced pickleball. They’re those long, tense rallies where both players are dinking back and forth, waiting for the other to mess up.
How to Win a Dink Battle:
- Stay patient. Don’t be the first to panic and pop the ball up.
- Look for openings. If they leave the ball too high, it’s time to pounce.
- End it on your terms. When you see an opportunity, go for the attack—either with a well-placed drive or a perfectly timed lob.
Pro Tip: The longer the dink battle, the sweeter the victory. Plus, it makes for great trash-talking material later.
Common Advanced Dinking Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
1. Getting Too Fancy
Adding spin and deception is great, but if you’re trying to hit a reverse, backhand, double-twisting dink, you’re probably overthinking it.
Fix It: Stick to the basics with a sprinkle of flair. You’re not auditioning for America’s Got Talent.
2. Forgetting to Stay Low
The moment you stand upright in a dink rally, you’ve lost your advantage.
Fix It: Bend those knees, keep your paddle in front, and stay ready to pounce. Think “ninja,” not “stiff mannequin.”
3. Losing Patience
Dink battles can feel endless, but rushing to end them usually results in a mistake.
Fix It: Take a deep breath, focus on consistency, and remind yourself that patience wins games (and maybe earns you a smug grin).
Advanced Dinking Drills to Level Up Your Game
- Target Practice: Place cones or markers in different spots in the kitchen and practice landing your dinks there. Bonus points if you make it a game with a friend.
- Spin Mastery: Practice adding topspin and backspin to your dinks by experimenting with paddle angles.
- Cross-Court Rallies: Work with a partner to dink diagonally across the court, focusing on consistency and placement.
Final Thoughts: Dink Like a Legend
Advanced dinking is about more than just hitting the ball—it’s about strategy, patience, and outsmarting your opponent one gentle tap at a time. Master the art of placement, spin, and deception, and you’ll not only win more dink battles but also earn the respect (and envy) of everyone on the court.
Now go forth, dink your heart out, and remember: in pickleball, the softest shots often pack the biggest punch. Just don’t forget to look cool while doing it. You’ve got this!