Decoding the Art of Dinking: The Role of Body Hinges in Pickleball

When it comes to mastering dinking in pickleball, conflicting advice can leave players unsure of which techniques to follow. Should you lock your elbow, limit wrist movement, or focus solely on your shoulder? While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, understanding how different body hinges—shoulder, elbow, wrist, waist, and knees—affect your dink can improve control and consistency. Each hinge plays a unique role in your dinking form, allowing for a variety of styles that, when used correctly, can make your game more adaptable and precise.

Breaking down each hinge’s function highlights when and how to use them effectively. Knees allow players to adjust height without altering paddle angle, keeping the dink steady. Conversely, bending from the waist can alter paddle positioning, potentially creating instability, especially during low shots. In terms of upper body hinges, the shoulder is often favored for a stable dink, ideal for slice shots that require a locked elbow and wrist. For top-spin shots, however, utilizing the elbow or wrist can add a dynamic arc to the dink, offering variety in competitive play.

Ultimately, successful dinking relies on isolating the movement of individual hinges rather than engaging multiple ones simultaneously. Pros often experiment with these hinges to find a unique style suited to their strengths. Instead of sticking to a rigid method, try testing different hinge-based movements to discover what feels most comfortable and repeatable for you.