In this video, you’ll learn about the two primary techniques for pickleball dinking: the sliced dink and the tip down dink. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each technique will help you make the right choice in various situations on the court.
The sliced dink involves keeping the hand and paddle level, creating an open paddle face, and often producing underspin. This technique is ideal for keeping the ball low and skidding on the opponent’s side, but it lacks deception and can be challenging to hit inside-out shots. Conversely, the tip down dink involves dropping the paddle tip below the hand, providing more flexibility in shot placement and allowing for deception, including topspin shots. While it may feel more relaxed and versatile, it can be trickier to execute when reaching for wide shots or pulling the ball back crosscourt.
Understanding when to use each technique is crucial. Generally, if the ball is within the frame of your body, the tip down dink is more natural, offering better shot variety and deception. On the other hand, when reaching out for wider shots, the sliced dink is preferred for its ability to keep the ball low and controlled. By practicing both techniques and being proactive in positioning yourself behind the ball, you can adapt your dinking style to suit the situation, giving you a competitive edge on the pickleball court.