Dinks Into the Net? Open Face, Paddle Below the Ball

Summary

Elite Pickleball Coaching diagnoses a common reason dinks die in the net: paddle face too closed toward the net and a straight-line swing that drives the ball into the tape.

Instead, start with the paddle lower than the ball and an open face so the swing path lifts the ball up and over. The target is a soft landing in the kitchen that stays unattackable — clearance first, then depth into the kitchen.

Key takeaways

• Closed face + flat swing path = netted dinks
• Paddle below the ball with an open face
• Lift up and over so it dies unattackable in the kitchen

Action items

• Kitchen: 20 cross-court dinks with a finger under the paddle throat as an “open face” cue
• Count net misses before/after — stop when 8/10 clear the tape soft