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Hey PICKLEBACKCLUB,

Not every dink should go cross-court.

In fact, one of the easiest ways to make your dinking game more effective is to stop thinking “Where can I hit the ball?” and start thinking:

“Where will this ball make my opponent uncomfortable?”

The direction of your dink changes the angle, the amount of court you have to work with, and—most importantly—what your opponent can do with the next ball.

Here’s when to use each one.

🎯 1. Straight-On Dink

Think: pressure + patience.

A straight-on dink goes back to the player directly across from you.

Why use it?

• Keeps the ball relatively simple and predictable

• Gives you a larger margin for error

• Allows you to work on your opponent's backhand

• Helps prevent giving your opponent a sharp cross-court angle

• Keeps both teams from dramatically shifting their positioning

When should you hit it?

When your opponent's backhand is their weakness.

If you've noticed your opponent struggling to keep their backhand dink low, keep going there.

You don't need to constantly change directions just to change directions.

Make them prove they can handle it.

PicklebackClub Tip 🏓

If your opponent is getting comfortable with straight-on dinks, add a little variation:

Straight → straight → cross-court.

The change of direction becomes much more effective after you've established the straight dink.

🧠 2. Middle Dink

Think: confusion + indecision.

The middle dink is one of the most underrated shots in doubles pickleball.

You're essentially asking:

“Who's taking this?”

And that's exactly what you want.

Why use it?

A well-placed middle dink can:

• Create communication problems

• Force opponents to move toward each other

• Target the space between their forehands

• Create hesitation

• Open up the sideline

• Make the next ball easier to attack

The middle is especially dangerous when both opponents have strong forehands.

Instead of challenging their best shot, you're attacking the space between them.

When should you hit it?

Use the middle when:

✔️ Your opponents aren't communicating well

✔️ They're leaving a gap between them

✔️ Both players are protecting their forehand

✔️ You want to move them before attacking

One of the biggest mistakes is trying to hit a perfect sideline dink when the middle is sitting there.

You don't need a 2-inch target when you have half the court.

🔥 3. Cross-Court Dink

Think: angle + movement + attack opportunity.

The cross-court dink is your weapon for creating angles.

Because you have more distance to work with, you can hit a softer ball while still forcing your opponent to move.

Why use it?

A good cross-court dink can:

• Pull your opponent wide

• Create an opening down the line

• Move your opponent off the kitchen

• Create a larger attacking window

• Change the rhythm of the rally

The real value isn't necessarily the dink itself.

It's what the dink creates.

Pull your opponent wide enough and suddenly the middle opens.

Or they reach for the ball and pop it up.

That's when you attack.

But there's a catch...

Cross-court dinks also give your opponent a cross-court angle.

If your dink is too high or too loose, you may be giving them an easy opportunity to attack.

So don't hit cross-court simply because you can.

Hit it with a purpose.

🏓 So Which One Should You Hit?

Think about it like this:

But here's the bigger strategy:

Don't pick your dink based only on where you want the ball to go.

Pick it based on what you want your opponent to do next.

Want them to hit a weak backhand?

👉 Straight-on

Want them to hesitate?

👉 Middle

Want them to move?

👉 Cross-court

🧩 The 3-Shot Dinking Pattern

Try this during your next game:

1️⃣ Start Straight

Establish the rally with a controlled straight dink.

2️⃣ Go Middle

Move the ball toward the center and force your opponents to make a decision.

3️⃣ Go Cross-Court

Once you've moved them or created hesitation, pull one player wide.

Now watch what happens.

The middle starts opening.

That's your opportunity.

Don't attack the first ball that's available.

Move your opponents until you get the right ball to attack.

🏆 The 4.0 Mindset

3.5 players often ask:

“Where should I dink?”

4.0 players start asking:

“What do I want my opponent to do?”

That's the difference.

Your dink isn't just a soft shot to keep the rally going.

It's a setup shot.

Straight creates pressure.

Middle creates uncertainty.

Cross-court creates movement.

And when you combine all three?

You control the rally instead of just reacting to it.

See you on the courts,
The PBC Team

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