Dinking Drill For All

Here's a guide to the dinking drill for pickleball players of all levels. This drill focuses on dinking back and forth to improve your touch. It's important for all players because it improves control and finesse at the net.

The Importance Of Dinking

Dinking is a soft shot, usually played near the net, that lands in the non-volley zone (NVZ), also known as the "kitchen." Being good at the dink is vital for success in pickleball because it:

• Keeps the ball in play
• Forces your opponents to lift the ball, giving you an advantage
• Improves your net game and touch

Dinking Drill: Step-By-Step

This drill is rated 2 in difficulty and takes about 35 minutes. You'll need a pickleball paddle, balls, and a net.

1. Warm-up: Start with some light stretching and practice a few groundstrokes to get your body ready.
2. Positioning: Both players stand near the NVZ line, on opposite sides of the net.
3. The Dink: One player starts by dinking the ball softly over the net, aiming for the opponent's NVZ.
4. Continuous Dinking: The other player dinks the ball back, and you continue dinking back and forth.
5. Focus: Concentrate on keeping the ball low, landing it in the NVZ, and using soft hands for control.
6. Duration: Dink for about 35 minutes, focusing on consistency and accuracy.

Safety First

To ensure safe and effective training:

• Use appropriate court shoes.
• Avoid overcrowding the court.
• Focus on soft hands and controlled movements.

Alternative Dinking Drills

Here are a few alternative ways to practice your dinking:

Cross-Court Dinking

Instead of dinking straight across the net, aim for the opposite cross-court corner of the NVZ. This helps improve your angles and control.

Dink And Move Drill

After dinking the ball, take a step back toward the transition zone. This simulates a real game situation where you need to be ready to move after your dink.

Tips For Better Dinking

• Soft Hands: Use a loose grip and let your paddle do the work.
• Watch The Ball: Keep your eye on the ball from the moment it leaves your opponent's paddle until it hits yours.
• Stay Low: Bend your knees to get under the ball and maintain a stable base.
• Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the more consistent you'll become.