If you’re stuck at the 3.0 level and looking to break into the 4.0+ ranks, mastering the dink is non-negotiable. At higher levels, the dink isn’t just a soft shot—it’s a strategic weapon that sets up attacks and forces errors.
This guide cuts straight to the practical tips and drills you need to sharpen your dinking skills, play smarter, and start winning more games. Let’s dive in!
1. Perfect Your Paddle Grip and Position
- Grip Pressure: Hold your paddle at a 3 out of 10 pressure—light but firm enough to control the ball without pushing it too hard.
- Grip Style: Use a continental grip for quick transitions between forehand and backhand dinks without adjusting your grip.
- Paddle Position: Always keep your paddle up and in front of your body. Don’t drop it after a shot—you’ll lose precious reaction time.
Drill: Stand at the kitchen line and rally with a partner, keeping your paddle in front at all times. Focus on short, controlled movements.
2. Improve Footwork—Stay Balanced and Ready
- Stay Low: Bend your knees and keep your weight slightly forward on the balls of your feet for better balance and quick reactions.
- One Step and Reset: Move one step toward the ball, hit your dink, and immediately reset back to ready position. Avoid overcommitting.
- Split Step Timing: Take a split step (small hop) as your opponent makes contact with the ball. This keeps you balanced and ready to move.
Watch this 60-second guide on mastering the split step:
Drill: Rally with a partner while focusing on stepping into the ball and resetting quickly. Add cones or markers to practice foot placement.
3. Control Height and Placement
- Keep It Low: The higher your dink, the more attackable it is. Aim for 6–12 inches above the net to keep your opponents from smashing.
- Move Them Around: Don’t hit to the same spot. Target angles, sidelines, and opponent’s feet to force them out of position.
- Aim for the Backhand: Most players have weaker backhand dinks, so aim there often to force errors.
Drill: Place targets (cones or tape) in different areas of the court and practice hitting them. Work on accuracy and variety.
4. Learn to Use Spin
Adding spin makes dinks unpredictable and harder to return.
- Topspin Dinks: Brush up on the ball to create dip and bounce, making the ball harder to counter.
- Backspin Dinks: Slice under the ball to keep it low and skidding, forcing awkward returns.
- Side Spin Dinks: Angle your paddle to curve shots and pull opponents off balance.
Watch our friend and coach, Will East, break down easy topspin dinks in this quick and helpful video:
Drill: Focus on adding spin while dinking cross-court. Practice mixing spins and testing their effects on ball trajectory.
5. Know When to Speed It Up
A good dink isn’t just defensive—it can set up an attack shot when your opponent leaves a ball too high.
- Look for:
- Pop-ups that sit above the net.
- Opponents who are off balance or leaning.
- Open gaps created by wide dinks.
- Attack by:
- Punching the ball with a short, controlled motion.
- Targeting the body or forehand hip for difficult returns.
Drill: Practice dinking rallies with a partner. On any high dink, speed it up and aim at their body. Work on controlling power to avoid overhitting.
6. Play Smart—Force Mistakes
4.0 players win points by forcing opponent errors, not just hitting winners.
- Patience First: Don’t rush attacks—set them up with controlled dinks.
- Use Angles: Create openings by pulling opponents wide or forcing them to move forward.
- Observe Weaknesses: Notice whether your opponent struggles with low dinks, spin, or footwork—then exploit it.
Drill: Play points where your only goal is to move your opponent side-to-side and force an error—no smashes allowed.
7. Practice Defensive Dinks
Dinking under pressure separates 3.0 from 4.0 players. Work on:
- Resetting Dinks: Focus on absorbing pace and dropping the ball softly into the kitchen when defending.
- Block Dinks: Use a soft paddle face to counter hard shots and neutralize attacks.
Drill: Have a partner feed hard balls while you practice resetting them into dinks. Gradually increase speed and difficulty.
8. Play More Cross-Court Dinks
- Cross-court dinks are safer and give you more room to work with (since the diagonal distance is longer).
- They also help pull opponents wide, creating open angles.
Drill: Play dinking rallies exclusively cross-court to practice control and consistency.
9. Add Push Dinks to Apply Pressure
Push dinks are slightly deeper and faster than regular dinks, landing near your opponent’s feet or transition zone. They force opponents to hit upward, making it harder for them to attack and easier for you to control the point.
Push dinks also help break patterns and create pop-ups, setting you up for put-away shots.
Check out pro player player Tyson McMuffin as he explains how to keep your technique short and tight for the perfect push dink:
Drill: Alternate between soft dinks and push dinks during rallies. Focus on keeping push dinks low and deep into the kitchen or transition zone without popping them up.
10. Use Drills to Build Muscle Memory
The key to leveling up is repetition. Here are some drills to make your dinking second nature:
- Triangle Drill: Aim for three target zones—sideline, middle, and short cross-court—to practice placement.
- Shadow Dinking: Work on footwork and paddle position without a ball to build habits.
- Random Target Drill: Use colored tape or cones and hit randomized targets to sharpen accuracy and decision-making.
Dink Smarter, Not Harder
Moving up from 3.0 to 4.0 isn’t just about playing more—it’s about playing smarter. Precision, footwork, and shot selection are what separate intermediate players from advanced ones.
Focus on staying balanced at the kitchen line, keeping your dinks low and unattackable, and using spin and speed-ups strategically to create openings. Consistency is key, but so is knowing when to apply pressure and force errors.
Dinking isn’t just a defensive tool—it’s a tactical weapon. Use it to move your opponents, disrupt their rhythm, and set up high-percentage attacks. So hit the court, drill with intention, and turn those soft, controlled shots into match-winning plays!
