Dinking is a strategic weapon that helps you control the pace of a point, neutralize your opponent’s power, and set up winning shots.

That's why familiarizing yourself with this essential skill could easily be the difference between a podium finish and coming up short.

Here are the best dinking tips to help you improve your soft game and win at the net:

1. Stay low and balanced

Keep your knees bent and your weight forward on the balls of your feet.

A low stance improves stability, reach, and reaction time

2. Keep your paddle out in front

Hold your paddle in front of your body, not to the side.

This helps with faster reactions and better control during dink exchanges.

3. Use a light grip

Grip pressure should be around 3–4 out of 10.

A soft grip absorbs impact and helps keep your dinks low and controlled.

4. Use a simple, controlled motion

Let your shoulder and arm do most of the work, and keep your wrist stable.

Think short and soft. No big swings.

5. Aim low over the net

The ideal dink clears the net by just a few inches and lands in the kitchen.

Avoid hitting too high because it invites your opponent to attack.

6. Target opponent’s feet or corners

Make it hard for them to return aggressively by forcing them to reach or move.

Mix up your placement to create opportunities.

7. Favor cross-court dinks

Gives you more room (diagonally longer court) and a lower net to clear.

Also pulls your opponent wide, opening up angles or middle attacks later.

8. Be patient, don’t force the attack

Dinking is a game of patience and strategy, not speed.

Wait for a mistake (high dink or pop-up) before attacking.

9. Use spin (when comfortable)

Add slight topspin for a faster bounce or backspin for a dead drop.

Only when you can already dink consistently (spin is a bonus, not a crutch).

10. Drill often, reps build consistency

Practice dinking cross-court, straight on, and from both forehand/backhand sides.

Consistency is king, so focus on keeping 10–20 dink rallies going.