3 Secrets to Mastering the Perfect Dink in Pickleball: In the fast-growing sport of pickleball, mastering the dink is essential for success. However, many players, especially beginners, struggle with the common problem of popping up their dinks, leaving themselves vulnerable to an aggressive putaway. If this sounds familiar, there are three simple techniques you can use to keep the dinks low and controlled.
Shorten the Backswing in Pickleball
First, shorten the backswing. A common mistake players make is swinging too far back before hitting the ball. The key here is to keep the paddle within the peripheral vision at all times. If the paddle leaves that field of view, the swing is too big. Keeping it compact allows for more control and precision when dinking.
Make Contact at a Paddle’s Length
Second, make contact at a paddle’s length from your body. This helps maintain control and prevents overreaching, which often leads to errors. Many lower-level players tend to reach too far, causing them to lose control of the ball and pop it up. Keeping the ball close to the body allows for better accuracy and finesse.
Focus on Pushing in Pickleball
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, think “push,” not “hit.” Dinking is a controlled, gentle stroke that should use the arm and back, not the wrist. When the players use their wrists too much, the ball is likely to pop up, giving their opponents an easy opportunity to attack. Instead, focus on a smooth push, keeping the wrist locked.
These three adjustments—short backswing, proper contact distance, and a focus on pushing—can make a world of difference in controlling the dinks in pickleball. Implement these into the game, and the players will become more consistent and effective at the net.
News in Brief: 3 Secrets to Mastering the Perfect Dink in Pickleball
Mastering the dink is crucial in pickleball, yet many beginners struggle with popping up their shots, leaving them vulnerable. To maintain low and controlled dinks, players can implement three key pickleball techniques. First, shorten the backswing to keep the paddle within the peripheral vision.
Second, make contact at a paddle’s length from the body to enhance control and accuracy. Finally, focus on a gentle “push” rather than a hard “hit,” using the arm and back instead of the wrist. By applying these adjustments, players can improve their consistency and effectiveness at the net.
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