If you’ve been playing pickleball for a while, you already know how important it is to get to the kitchen line and dink. Soft game skills are essential.
But here’s the reality: Dinking alone isn’t going to win you many games anymore.
At higher levels — and even in a lot of competitive recreational play — you need reliable offensive options you can trust under pressure. In this article, we’ll walk through six offensive shots you should add to your toolkit so you can apply pressure, create openings, and actually finish points.
1. The aggressive roll volley (“zero forward” speed-up)
This first shot is perfect when you get a ball that floats a little too high near the kitchen — but not high enough for an overhead. You’re at the line, dinking crosscourt or straight ahead, and suddenly the ball pops up just over net height.
Instead of just dinking it back, you can attack with a roll volley that drives the ball down to your opponent’s feet with topspin.
To view this step in action, watch the video above.
2. The backhand flick
The backhand flick is a must-have if you want to play at a high level. It’s one of the most deceptive attacks in pickleball because you can use it on balls that are below net height and still apply pressure.
To view this step in action, watch the video above.
3. Two-handed backhand speed-up off the bounce
This shot is becoming more and more common in modern pickleball. It’s a two-handed backhand drive off the bounce from the kitchen that starts as a dink and turns into a sudden speed-up.
To view this step in action, watch the video above.
4. Forehand speed-up off the bounce
If you love your forehand (and most players do), this is another must-have speed-up. The key is that it should look almost identical to your regular forehand dink — right up until you accelerate.
To view this step in action, watch the video above.
5. The offensive topspin lob
Few things frustrate opponents more than a well-timed offensive lob — especially one that looks just like a dink until the last second.
To view this step in action, watch the video above.
6. Off-speed speed-ups (the shoulder-high trap)
The last “shot” is really more of a strategy concept: using off-speed speed-ups instead of always going full power.
These work especially well when you aim around your opponent’s shoulder height.
To view this step in action, watch the video above.
Build an offensive toolkit, not just a dink game
Dinking and soft control aren’t going anywhere — they’re still the foundation of great pickleball. But if you want to compete in today’s faster, more aggressive game, you need:
- A reliable roll volley.
- A deceptive backhand flick.
- A strong two-handed backhand speed-up.
- A balanced forehand speed-up off the bounce.
- A smart, well-timed offensive lob.
- And well-placed off-speed speed-ups.
You don’t need to master them all overnight. Start by picking one or two from this list and work them into your practice sessions and rec games.