Mastering the Dink: Why the Easiest Shot in Pickleball Is the Hardest

It may look gentle, even laughably simple—but according to ex-tennis pro Jack Sock, the dink is the hardest part of adjusting to pickleball. And he’s not wrong. Despite being a slow, soft shot, the dink demands incredible precision, timing, and consistency. Why? Because your margin for error is microscopic. With opponents ready to pounce on anything remotely high or loose, a bad dink doesn’t just give away a point—it invites annihilation.

What makes the dink so deceptive is its setting: seven feet of court between the net and the kitchen line, but only about five feet of effective space to work with once your opponent reaches in. To survive and thrive in that tight space, the key is consistency through simplicity. That means locking your wrist, hinging only from the shoulder, and varying your swing length depending on whether the ball bounces. Practicing with a ball machine or using targeted drills can fast-track this muscle memory, and dinking straight ahead in practice will make those crosscourt shots feel effortless during a match.

Beyond mechanics, strategy matters. Use anchoring footwork to stay balanced. Aim for the front half of the kitchen when in trouble. Know when to slice, when to push, and when to neutralize. And here’s the mental magic: stop thinking. Use the “bounce-hit” method to shut down overanalysis and let your instincts take over. Finally, instead of picking a spot on the court, aim two to four inches above the net—your shots will start landing exactly where you want them to. It’s not easy, but with the right mindset and muscle memory, the dink will stop being your downfall and start being your weapon.