The biggest difference between a 3.5 player and a 4.5 player isn’t power or speed: It’s understanding how to dink with strategy and intention. Learn some of our secret hacks that advanced players use to control rallies, pressure opponents, and dominate at the kitchen line.
Taking dinks out of the air
Most players know that volleying dinks out of the air can give you a strategic edge. But here’s what advanced players know: time is currency on a pickleball court.
When you volley a dink out of the air, you take time away from your opponent — forcing them to react faster and reducing their setup time. But here’s the catch: If you volley your dink straight back to them in a way they can also take out of the air, you’ve just given that time right back.
Pro tip:
After volleying, aim to make sure the next ball bounces. This shifts the time advantage back in your favor and allows you to reset or attack more effectively.
When deciding which balls to volley:
- Target dinks that would otherwise land near your feet.
- Avoid overreaching: Keep your chest upright to stay ready for faster follow-ups.
Knowing when to let the ball bounce
Sometimes the smart move isn’t to take the ball out of the air, it’s instead to pivot and let it bounce.
If you step back and let the ball rise to its apex before descending, you hit it at its slowest point.
This gives you:
- More control and maneuverability.
- The ability to add topspin.
- Extra time to disguise a potential speed-up.
This pivot-back strategy not only buys you time but also opens the door to create offensive opportunities from a neutral or defensive position.
Footwork: Move with purpose at the kitchen line
Beginner and intermediate players often stay planted after hitting a dink. Advanced players, on the other hand, are in constant motion, adjusting forward and backward depending on what their shot does to their opponent.
- If your dink pressures your opponent, move up to the kitchen line and be ready for a pop-up.
- If your dink sits up or is attackable, take a small step back. Buy yourself time to defend or reset.
This subtle footwork adjustment transforms your dinking game from reactive to strategic, helping you control the flow of the rally.
Stay light on your feet
One of the most common mistakes players make is dinking from their heels. This limits your balance and often lifts the ball too high.
Instead:
- Stay on the balls of your feet.
- Keep your body light and agile.
- Maintain a ready position to adjust quickly.
Bonus tip:
Many high-level players (especially men with greater reach) slightly open their stance — angling their toes outward. This lets them get closer to the line and extend their reach for better volley control.
Drill: The Tug-of-War Game
Now that you understand the theory, it’s time to put it into practice with a fun, competitive drill: Tug-of-War.
How to play:
- Stand across from your partner, either crosscourt or straight on.
- Start the score at 5–5.
- The first to reach 10 wins.
- Every rally won adds one to your score and subtracts one from your opponent’s.
The twist:
You can only attack balls that are out of the air — no groundstrokes.
This constraint forces both players to focus on:
- Volleys.
- Dink placement.
- Footwork (stepping in and back).
- Maintaining control under pressure.
It’s an incredible way to sharpen your instincts and build confidence at the kitchen line.
Mastering high-level dinking is about more than soft shots — it’s about controlling time, space, and rhythm. When you start thinking two or three shots ahead instead of just one, you’ll begin to see pickleball at a whole new level. You’ll not only elevate your dink game but also find yourself winning more rallies.