SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pb-dink-definition

What is a dink in pickleball?

A soft shot that lands in the other team's kitchen.

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  1. A hard drive past the baseline
  2. A serve that bounces twice
  3. A soft shot landing in the opponent's kitchen ✔

Why: A dink is hit softly from the kitchen line and bounces in the other kitchen. Because the opponent must let it bounce, a good dink is hard to attack.

Huh, didn't know that: The goal of a dink is not to win the point right away but to wait for the other team to make the first mistake.

The dad joke
Why did the dink cross the net softly? It did not want a smashing reception.
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References

Answer: A soft shot landing in the opponent's kitchen. A dink is hit softly from the kitchen line and bounces in the other kitchen. Because the opponent must let it bounce, a good dink is hard to attack.

  1. USA Pickleball: How to Dink usapickleball.org/pickleball-skills/level-two/how-to-dink-and-why-its-important-for-your-success-in-pickleball
    A dink is a shot that is hit from the kitchen line that bounces in the opposing kitchen.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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Test yourself in the game

Sports & FitnessCan you step into the kitchen to hit a ball that has already bounced?Sports & FitnessWhat is the third shot drop in pickleball?Sports & FitnessOn a scale of 1 to 10, how tight should you hold the paddle for a dink?

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