Top 7 Things That Are Killing Your Dinking Game

As much as power is coming more and more into pickleball, dinking is still and will likely always be an important part of the game for the simple reason that when all 4 players are up at the net, a dink is often strategically a wise option when an attack with a high likelihood of success is not available to you.
This is usually the case when your contact is quite low and both your opponents have fast hands and can punish a high ball, even one hit quite hard.
Often, your best bet is to continue to pressure them with an aggressive dinking game to setup your next attack.
So, now that we’ve established that dinks are and will likely continue to be important, you should know that there are quite a few key technical elements that separate players with a developing dinking game to those who have mastered the use of dinks in their game.
If your dinks aren’t quite what you want them to be then check them for one of these 7 common issues. Fix these and your dinks will be a lot stronger and ready for battle.
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[@squashdevicer]

Too high Grip tension is another common error.

[@primetimepickleball]

Absolutely! Good one.

[@pickleballaddictlife]

Great video! 👍🏓 Item #8, for me, is forgetting to anticipate counters to my dink, especially against more advanced players that will, for example, roll their counter to pull me back and to the side. That gets me off balance and reaching, which is a substantial risk of popping up my next dink 👎

[@kbotelho27]

Great job with this video Nicole! I'm adding it to my teaching library. Legs and shoulders, stay out front. You see these 7 issues over and over again.

[@primetimepickleball]

Right! over and over again...hence the video. lol. Thanks Ken! Keep up the good work out there :)

[@alohaleslie9407]

Thanks Nicole for another great and informative video. You mention short take backs, one of the drills my club is working on. Another benefit of it is it then becomes a disguise for a speedup going to the opponent directly across the net. My tendency, coming from a tennis background, is to take a bigger swing than necessary when I'm going to speed up the ball, a dead give-away to opponents who can then be ready for my shot. I do believe this has helped my game a bit more. Thanks again.

[@primetimepickleball]

You nailed it! Disguise pays dividends.

[@lestergreen7262]

Love your tips and the simple way of explaining them.

[@primetimepickleball]

Awesome! Glad you enjoy that.

[@jh276]

Thank you Coach...another very nice video. My sciatica is preventing me from bending down...sucks.

[@primetimepickleball]

Thank you! Sorry to hear about your sciatica. I have a hip/back issue so I get it. Some of those demos were tough. Lol.

[@miketonet4587]

Always nice to see your videos Nicole. I a ll trying to help players in Belgium to improve their games and your tips help me to target the main mistakes. I use to analyse the « body language » when I play sport and don’t focus only on the PB technic when I « coach ». It is a kind of package : physicall skills, technics skills and body’s movements understandings. I follow your videos and it is amongst the smarter in the millions of PB coaches KZbin videos 😊 thanks

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks Mike! Yes, it's a "package deal" as far as the skill go. I like your holistic approach to coaching. I think it's needed.

[@AnnMitt]

This instructional video is 💯 better than any in-person lesson that I ever took. Thank you!

[@primetimepickleball]

So happy to hear. Sorry for the delay.

[@cynthiamaddox3268]

I’m working on reading the player to see where the dink is being sent. It’s helping a great deal. Great video, thank you

[@primetimepickleball]

Absolutely! You should read the player and their setup for the shot. That can tell you a lot. Great stuff Cynthia!

[@deanmarty5956]

The lady who is showing the wrong way to do it, is great and funny. Love her.🤣 Thanks Nicole another great video!

[@primetimepickleball]

She is! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mediumdun18]

would love to hear tips about 3rd shot drops at transition/ baseline with balls that have some pace. Your tips have been really helpful....many thx

[@primetimepickleball]

We have several of these videos. Please search the channel for "3rd shot"

[@walterwyrick6555]

One of your best. As always---thanks Walt

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks Walter!

[@sassafrasdinglemeyer4513]

Very helpful! Number 6 and 7 are me!!! I will watch this again.

[@primetimepickleball]

Glad you enjoyed it and picked up a few things.

[@kimleith1378]

Thanks Nicole. Just wish more players in my group used the dink in their games.

[@jayscheinman9987]

if less people are using the Dink in your game then your Dink will be more effective until they catch up.

[@MichelleH45]

Remember, there is no dinking without dropping. So you need to use the drop shot to “invite” them to dink. They still may not do it because they are not good at it, but at least you’ve started the dinking game.

[@primetimepickleball]

The dink is just part of the game. Speed is coming more and more so work on your resets and try to force them into a dinking game. If they refuse to dink then they will just have to lose if you're playing it right.

[@krisroush]

9:43 great video, thanks, Nicole! Another problem with too much wrist is an overuse injury to your wrist and hand.

[@primetimepickleball]

Yes, that's also a problem...and a big one, I'd say. Worse than just missing.

[@suesmith8060]

Your info was great. I didn’t think some of the video demos represented your words. The guy plays off the kitchen line and moved his feet a lot. When playing cross court he stayed after he hit not moving back to the center --but again your words and explanations are good and helpful

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks so much for the feedback Sue. The focus was primarily on her but your points are well taken and noted.

[@susananderson2912]

Helpful. Thanks. Are you related to John Havlicek who used to play for the Boston Celtics?

[@primetimepickleball]

Sadly no :( Would be cool if I were though.

[@user-rx8lc4tr3v]

Love this!

[@primetimepickleball]

Awesome!

[@michaelstetzer3144]

It’s like you were watching me play. Guilty of many of these mistakes. Thanks!

[@primetimepickleball]

lol! You're welcome!

[@lauriebirch1960]

Me too! I can't seem to break the habit of using my wrist and bending my elbow. Especially difficult on forehand cross court dinks. Backhand dinks crosscourt are fine. It's a struggle!

[@patrickderyan7403]

Great video! Your "mistake girl" did the mistakes awesomely and realistically! Two more I would add are taking your eyes off the ball and gripping too tight (which also causes tight shoulders). Wait...one more... RELAX...

[@primetimepickleball]

Lol! Yes she did. Thanks for giving her a shout out. And good points! I like your calming self talk.

[@joshwilliams7382]

“Wrisky swing” … nice 😊

[@primetimepickleball]

😉

[@jorgevelasquez9955]

Great video.

[@primetimepickleball]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@user-gj5ux4bl3m]

Hi Nicole. Sliding laterally is important that will allow you to be balanced when contact with ball is made.

[@primetimepickleball]

Agree!

[@joshcarries4999]

great tips! what level are you?

[@primetimepickleball]

5.0

[@cheezneversleeps1]

Guilty of Happy Feet and stepping across into the shot. Residual habits from old school tennis lessons.

[@primetimepickleball]

You're not the only one ;). At least you know to make a change now.

[@yasim9435]

Instead of providing this instruction we be better of if you focus on technique used by men in black outfit on this video. He does all the opposite to the instructions and his shots are aggressive and effective. He used to spin with slight wrist acceleration , his slice has slight elbow bend and his footwork has much more steps than the coach recommended

[@primetimepickleball]

I'm glad that observing him helped you.

[@steveguinsler4451]

Your lady in tan is over acting

[@primetimepickleball]

Maybe but I'm digging it. :)