Push Dink Technique in Pickleball: Pickleball players are learning a new way to dink in 2025, shifting from a defensive to an offensive style. The new technique, taught in a recent training video, shows how to turn soft lift dinks into fast and aggressive push dinks for more control and pressure during games.
Two Main Types of Dinks
In pickleball, there are two main types of dinks: lift dinks and push dinks. Lift dinks are defensive. “A lift dink is really great for when you’re off balance or you’re wanting to reset the ball or point,” the instructor said. The motion starts with the paddle tip pointed down and is usually hit in front of the belly button.
Push dinks are offensive. “A push dink is a more offensive dink,” the instructor explained. It uses a side-facing paddle tip and hits the ball at the side of the body, helping the player guide the ball with more speed and direction.
What the Pros Do
The video includes a breakdown of professional players using both types of dinks in real-time matches. The instructor asked viewers to pay attention to the paddle angle and swing motion to spot the differences.
How to Improve the Push Dink
The video also teaches how to change a lift dink into a push dink using two key steps. “The first thing is making sure that you get your paddle tip slightly cocked to the side,” the instructor said. Instead of keeping it pointed straight down, players should turn it to around a 4:00 or 5:00 angle.
The second step is changing where the ball is hit. “You’re going to switch to contacting the ball more to the side of your body… just not in front of your belly button,” the instructor added. This shift helps players direct the ball more sharply and with greater force across the court.
Practice Drill for Push Dinks
To get better at push dinks, the video recommends a simple drill called the shuffle push dink drill. “You can do it with a partner or with a ball machine,” the instructor said. Players should aim to hit the ball in the right spot with the paddle at the correct angle.
“Count and see how many push dinks you can get in a row. If you hit a lift dink or make an unforced error, you have to go back to zero,” the instructor added. After practicing on forehand and backhand sides, players are encouraged to test their skills in live games by mixing both dink styles.
Why It Matters
The new push dink technique offers a fresh approach for modern pickleball. By using more offensive dinks, players can control the pace and direction of the game better. Learning this skill may help players win more points and keep their opponents off balance.
As the instructor put it, “If you only play lift dinks in pickleball, you’re probably not going to ever be pressuring your opponents at the kitchen line.”
News in Brief: Push Dink Technique in Pickleball
A new training video teaches pickleball players in 2025 how to turn soft lift dinks into aggressive push dinks. The video shows techniques used by pros and offers drills to master this offensive move, helping players create more pressure and control during matches.
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