The 4 Dinks Every Pickleball Player Needs in 2026

Main Points

• Use the backhand slice dink as your default kitchen shot to stay steady and extend rallies.
• Keep your feet and shoulders lined up to the target so the whole body controls the dink, not just the arm.
• Add spin with paddle angle and a laid-back wrist, not by chopping with the wrist.
• Use the two-handed backhand dink to create more threat and keep opponents from sitting on safe dinks.
• Focus on side spin and a low contact point to keep two-handed backhand dinks consistent and controlled.
• Chip aggressive top-spin dinks out of the air to neutralize pressure before the ball bounces.
• Stay balanced with a wide base and soft hands when taking dinks out of the air.
• Roll passive dinks out of the air to apply pressure and force a higher ball to attack.
• Keep the wrist locked on volley rolls and use the shoulder to guide the shot.

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Summary

This video breaks down four dinks every pickleball player should have in 2026, starting with the backhand slice dink. It is presented as the safest default option at the kitchen because it keeps the ball in play, extends rallies, and still leaves room to lean in and attack the next ball if the chance appears.

The video also covers the two-handed backhand dink, which adds more pressure to the rally. Instead of trying to force topspin with the wrist, the shot is explained as a side-spin motion with a cupped paddle path and a low body position. The main idea is to stay consistent, avoid popping the ball up, and make opponents respect the possibility of a speed-up.

Two air-based dinks are also featured. The chip volley is used against aggressive topspin dinks to take time away and neutralize the exchange before the ball bounces. The volley roll is the counter to passive slice dinks, helping the player apply pressure and potentially create a higher ball to attack.

Overall, this video focuses on smarter kitchen play through better footwork, body positioning, and shot selection. The message is simple: use the right dink for the right situation, stay low, keep the wrist stable, and control the rally instead of just surviving it.

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Tags: Backhand | Defense | Dink | Drill | tanner.pickleball