As an instructor and competitive pickleball player, I always look for new YouTube videos to help improve my game. I watch them closely several times and try to dissect them to see if there is something I can learn and use when I play. This video by Sarah Ansboury explains the position you should be in at the kitchen line. It is called “Are You Making This Pickleball Dinking Mistake?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=gkKzEIdW1FI). The gist of the video is not to squat down while dinking; rather, distribute your weight before striking the ball and try to strike it while it is above your knees. Here is a breakdown of the video.
Squatting down while dinking
- Players often make the mistake of squatting down while dinking.
- This mistake is observed across all skill levels.
- Squatting down simultaneously and making contact with the ball is the main reason the ball doesn’t go anywhere and ends up in the net.
- It is a common issue that can be seen on courts every day.
“If I go down like this at the same time I make contact, that is the biggest reason a ball is not going to go anywhere.”
Weight distribution before striking
- The solution to this problem is to distribute your weight before you strike the ball.
- When a ball comes towards you, ensure your weight is already down before you hit it.
- This technique gives you better control of your shots.
“If I’ve got a ball coming at me, my weight is already down before I hit it.”
Bouncing up and down kills the ball
- Bouncing up and down and squatting while dinking kills the ball.
- It is essential to avoid excessive movement and bouncing.
- Squatting and bouncing up and down while making contact results in a weak shot that struggles to clear the net.
- Keeping your weight down and minimizing unnecessary movement improves your shot quality.
“If I’m bouncing up and down and I’m squatting, it kills the ball for you.”
Contact in the air
- Another crucial aspect is to avoid making contact in the air.
- Once the ball has passed your knees, letting it bounce before making contact is better.
- This helps to maintain control and improves the height and depth of your shots.
“If you will make contact in the air once it’s past your knees, just let it bounce. That solves a lot of problems right there.”
Keeping the ball above the knees
- The height at which you make contact with the ball is essential.
- Keeping the ball above your knees ensures a better dink shot.
- It helps to maintain control and accuracy in your shots.
“The height is really important; keep that above your knees.”