How to Hit Dinks & Resets in Pickleball (Like a Pro)

 

Mastering the Soft Game of Pickleball

Learn Proper Dinking and Resetting Technique for Advanced Play

Pickleball is a fun and social sport that is growing rapidly in popularity. This instructional guide will teach you the keys to mastering the soft game of pickleball through proper dinking and resetting technique. With practice, these skills will help elevate your play to an advanced level. Topics:

1. 0:40 - The Goal of Dinking
2. 1:25 - Proper Dinking Technique
3. 3:57 - Using Different Spins on Your Dinks
4. 4:42 - Correct Footwork for Dinking
5. 6:03 - Where to Aim Your Dinks in the Kitchen
6. 8:05 - Push Dinks vs Neutral Dinks
7. 9:19 - Top 3 Hacks for Improved Dinking
8. 11:53 - How to Practice Your Dinking Skills
9. 13:24 - The Goal of The Reset Shot
10. 14:24 - Proper Resetting Technique
11. 16:50 - Where to Aim Your Reset Shots
12. 17:35 - Full Court Examples of Dinking and Resetting

1. 0:40 - The Goal of Dinking The goal of dinking is to draw your opponents up closer to the net and bait them into hitting a shot that is easier for you to then attack. Dinking rallies happen when shots are hit soft into the kitchen, which gives your opponents a poor angle to hit aggressive shots from. Look for opportunities to accelerate play when your opponent leaves you a higher or floatier ball. 2. 1:25 - Proper Dinking Technique Use a continental grip for dinks, with your index knuckle on the angled notch near the paddle face. This grip makes transitioning between forehand and backhand dinks smooth. Keep your wrist loose and steady throughout the motion, generating power from your shoulder rather than your wrist or elbow. The stroke should be compact, taking place in front of your body without a big backswing. 3. 3:57 - Using Different Spins on Your Dinks You can use topspin or slice on your dink shots. Topspin dinks have a more aggressive, downward brushing motion, while slice dinks involve cutting under the ball for more spin. Both can be effective. Focus first on making consistent contact with a controlled, compact swing. The spin will develop over time. 4. 4:42 - Correct Footwork for Dinking Avoid excessive steps by taking one large side step to cover your area of the kitchen during dink exchanges. Keep yourself square to the net in a ready position. Lead with your outside foot when moving sideways to prepare for your opponent's next shot. Proper footwork will keep you balanced and prevent tangled feet. 5. 6:03 - Where to Aim Your Dinks in the Kitchen Aim crosscourt as much as possible, as it provides more margin for error over aiming down the line. For depth, target the "pressurize zone" at the back of the kitchen to push opponents back. Use more neutral shots when stretched or scrambling. When balanced, aim for the pressurize zone to create opportunities to attack. 6. 8:05 - Push Dinks vs Neutral Dinks Push dinks are aggressive shots aimed at your opponent's feet in the pressurize zone. Use these to pressure opponents when you have time and are in control of the point. Neutral dinks are safer shots aimed higher in the kitchen to keep the rally going. Use these when you're stretched or out of position. 7. 9:19 - Top 3 Hacks for Improved Dinking

• Hit volley dinks (out of the air) rather than backing up.
• Target opponent's weaker backhand dink.
• Set paddle angle before moving it forward to hit - don't adjust mid-swing.

8. 11:53 - How to Practice Your Dinking Skills

• Dink back and forth with a partner, focusing on technique.
• Hit against a practice wall at net height to groove mechanics.
• Use solo practice devices like the Dink Master.
• Focus on control and consistency before adding pace or tricky shots.

9. 13:24 - The Goal of The Reset Shot The goal of resetting is to slow down your opponent's harder shots so you can move forward and get into a dinking rally near the net. Resets are typically hit from the transition zone as you move to the net after a drop shot or groundstroke. 10. 14:24 - Proper Resetting Technique Use a split step to widen your base and get in a ready position with knees bent. Keep paddle low to handle opponent's low shots. Take a short, compact swing using your shoulder rather than wrist or elbow. Minimal motion is needed - use your opponent's power instead. 11. 16:50 - Where to Aim Your Reset Shots Aim about 1 foot over the net, towards the back third of the kitchen. Make your opponent hit up on the ball so it pops up for your next shot. Don't aim too close to the net to avoid misses. Give yourself margin but keep opponent stretched out. 12. 17:35 - Full Court Examples of Dinking and Resetting Now that you understand the goals and techniques of dinking and resetting, watch full court point play to see how they are applied situationally. Observe how players use these skills together to gain control of points and set up scoring opportunities. Conclusion Mastering the soft game through accurate dinks, resets, and smooth net play is instrumental for advancing your pickleball skills. Be patient, focus on technique, and dedicate time to purposeful practice. Applying these tips will sharpen your touch and court awareness. Have fun out there! Let me know if you have any other questions.