Avoid Common Dink Mistakes to Improve Your Pickleball Game

Are you finding yourself struggling with popping up your dinks during pickleball matches? You might be making one of these three common dink mistakes.

One of the most frustrating experiences in pickleball is losing control of a dink, only to have the ball pop up and put you on the defensive.

If you’re struggling with your dinks, it might be due to one of these three frequent errors;

Mistake #1: Oversized Backswing

One of the most common mistakes is taking too big of a backswing when attempting a dink. Many players draw the paddle far back before hitting the ball. The more energy you put into the ball, the higher the chance it will pop up.

Instead, keep your paddle in front of you and make a short, controlled swing. Imagine you are gently tossing the ball over the net. Avoid the large backswing to maintain better control.

Mistake #2: Overusing the Wrist

Another common issue, which is one of the common dink mistakes, is using your wrist instead of your shoulder for the dink shot. Often players rely on their wrist to get the ball over the net, but this is problematic.

The wrist is a small joint with small muscles, making it harder to control the energy of your shot. Instead, focus on making your stroke come from your shoulder. This adjustment will help you prevent those unwanted pop-ups.

Mistake #3: Not Moving to the Ball

The third mistake involves positioning. Instead of reaching for the ball with your paddle, move your feet to get into position. Many players stand at the non-volley zone line with their weight on their heels, making them less mobile.

Rather than reaching, take a step or two to position yourself correctly. This way, you’ll be in a consistent and controlled stance, ready to make the shot without unnecessary reach.

Additional Resources

If you found these tips helpful and want to learn more, check out our other resources.

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