If you’ve been following our newsletter, you already know that we’ve talked trash about dead dinks before. Most of the time, they’re a recipe for disaster—soft, floaty, attackable shots that sit up in the kitchen just begging to be crushed.
But here’s the plot twist: not all dead dinks are bad. In fact, at the intermediate and advanced levels, some dead dinks can be deadly—used on purpose, as bait, to flip momentum or trap an over-aggressive opponent.
Let’s talk about the nuance behind the “dead dink,” why you might actually want to hit one, and how to do it with purpose instead of panic.
First, What Is a Dead Dink?
In simple terms, a dead dink is a dink hit with little or no spin, pace, or shape. It floats. It sits. It doesn’t move your opponent. It’s often unintentional—and often punishable.
But here’s the nuance: there are two types of dead dinks:
| Type | Description | Risk Level | Strategic Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Dead Dink | Bounces above net height, often deeper in the kitchen | High risk | Rarely useful, often attacked |
| Shallow Dead Dink | Lands short in the kitchen, low bounce, little pace | Low risk when used smartly | Strategic bait, counterpunch tool |
A bad dead dink floats high or deep. A deadly dead dink stays low and short, forcing awkward resets and neutralizing attacks.
Play Pickleball shows you how shallow dead dinks work—and why they’re so effective:
The Strategy: When and Why to Hit a Dead Dink
Let’s be clear: you’re not hitting a dead dink because you can’t generate spin or pace—you’re doing it because you want to make your opponent uncomfortable.
Here’s what happens when you hit a shallow dead dink intentionally:
- They can’t attack it easily. The ball is too low and short to flick or roll with confidence.
- It disrupts rhythm. Especially if your opponent is hunting for pace, this forces them to slow down and rethink.
- It invites a speed-up… on your terms. And that’s where the counterpunch comes in.
“If I know I’m faster than my opponent, I’ll feed them a dead dink on purpose. They’ll speed it up at me—and I’m already set for the counter.”
Real-world strategy from a high-level rec player
JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier, two of the best in the world, often use soft, low dinks to tempt opponents into speeding up balls that aren’t speed-up friendly. Why?
Because they’re ready to pounce on the counterattack.
Turning Defense into Offense: The Counterpunch Setup
Here’s where dead dinks shine. When you’re on defense and out of position, a soft, shallow dink can buy you just enough time to recover.
But even better: you can bait a speed-up.
Let’s say you drop a short dead dink right in front of your opponent. It looks attackable—but it’s low, with no pace, and they’re tempted to flick it right at you.
If you’re ready, this becomes your opportunity to counter hard and reset control of the point.
“It’s not that the dink is amazing. It’s that it looks attackable—but really isn’t. That’s where the trap is.”
What Not to Do With Dead Dinks
This part’s important. Because for every effective dead dink, there are three “oops” dead dinks that get punished fast.
Here’s what to avoid:
- Don’t float it deep. A deep dead dink (even if low) gives opponents too many offensive options.
- Don’t use it as a habit. Dead dinks lose their power if you hit them all the time. Think of them as a mix-up—not your default.
- Don’t stand flat-footed. If you’re using a dead dink to bait a speed-up, you’d better be ready for it. Hands up, paddle out front, ready to counter.
- Don’t mistake a bad dink for a strategic one. A strategic dead dink is low, controlled, and intentional—not a flubbed swing.
What the Pros Say
Zane Navratil broke it down perfectly:
“There’s offensive dinking and defensive dinking. A dead dink is a reset—it’s defensive. It keeps the ball short so your opponent can’t attack, but it’s easy to work with. At the 4.0+ level, every dink needs a purpose.”
Zane Navratil
Pro-Level Application: How Riley Newman Does It
Riley Newman has been seen using “deadish” dinks to draw speed-ups. Here’s what that looks like in motion:
- He places a soft, flat dink right in front of his opponent.
- It’s low enough to look tempting, but not safe to attack.
- The opponent tries to speed it up… right into Riley’s counter.
It’s a bait. And it works—because Riley is expecting the next ball before it’s even hit.
How to Practice Strategic Dead Dinks
Start simple:
- Dink with intent. Practice placing dinks short and low on purpose—not just getting them over.
- Use target zones. Aim for the front third of the kitchen to keep the ball short.
- Mix it up. Pair dead dinks with push dinks and topspin dinks to become unpredictable.
- Practice countering. Feed each other shallow dinks, speed them up, and practice the counter.
When Dead Dinks Become Deadly
The dead dink used to be a warning sign of bad technique. But with smarter strategy, quicker hands, and better awareness, it’s become a legitimate tool for high-level players.
You shouldn’t default to dead dinks—but you also shouldn’t fear them.
Use them intentionally. Place them precisely. Be ready to counter. And don’t let outdated advice hold you back from developing one more way to win.
Dead dinks? They’re not dead.
They’re just waiting to bite back.
