Three Pros’ Dinks: Scoop, Slice, or Topspin by Contact Point

Summary

All Things Pickleball: pros don’t force one dink from every position — they match the shot to where the ball is relative to the body.

Scoop when the ball gets slightly behind you or you’re on a short hop — get under it and reset to the kitchen. Slice when you’re pulled wide and contact is outside your frame — natural control and shape. Topspin when you have time to get behind the ball, create space, and stay balanced — then you can be aggressive with spin, placement, and angles. Positioning + contact point pick the shot.

Key takeaways

• Scoop = behind you / short hop → reset under the ball
• Slice = pulled wide, contact outside the frame
• Topspin = time + balance to dictate
• Don’t force one dink type onto every ball

Action items

• Kitchen game: call scoop/slice/topspin aloud before each contact based on where the ball is
• Partner feeds behind / wide / sitters so you groove all three on purpose