Backhand Dink
Also known as: backhand soft shot
A backhand dink is a soft, controlled shot hit on the non-dominant side of the body with a compact, low-to-no backswing, arcing just over the net into the kitchen.
Most players find the backhand dink harder to control than the forehand version because the compact swing plane and one-handed grip leave less natural stability. The paddle face has to stay open through contact without any wrist snap, using the shoulder and a small forward step to guide the ball rather than a hitting motion. A firm but relaxed wrist is the single biggest factor separating a controlled backhand dink from one that sails long or clips the net.
Grip and stance matter more on the backhand than the forehand dink. Many players find a slightly more continental-leaning grip gives the paddle face the stability to stay open through contact, while a square stance with the paddle out in front — rather than tucked close to the body — creates room to guide the ball without cramping the swing. Reaching across the body for a backhand dink instead of moving the feet is one of the most common causes of an unstable contact.
Because the backhand dink is used constantly in a doubles rally — roughly half of all dinks land on whichever side is the backhand for a given player — investing dedicated practice time on this shot alone pays off disproportionately. Many club-level players avoid backhand dinks by running around them, which both tires them out and telegraphs the shot they are about to hit.
Practice backhand dinks by feeding yourself easy, high bounces first — focus purely on keeping the paddle face open and still through contact before worrying about placement.
Example
A dink lands wide to the backhand side; the player keeps the paddle face open and gently guides the ball back cross-court without any wrist snap.
Why it matters
A shaky backhand dink is one of the most exploitable weaknesses in recreational and mid-level pickleball — opponents will target it relentlessly once they spot it, so building genuine confidence on this side removes an entire attacking option from the other team.
How it shows up on video
SwingVantage flags backhand dinks where the wrist visibly breaks or snaps through contact, which is the leading cause of backhand dinks that pop up or sail past the baseline.
Common mistakes
- Snapping the wrist at contact instead of guiding the ball with a stable, locked paddle face
- Reaching across the body rather than stepping to get the feet and shoulders in a comfortable position
- Running around the backhand to hit a forehand dink so often that positioning and stamina both suffer
In SwingVantage Motion Lab
Motion Lab can detect wrist angle stability through the dink contact window, distinguishing a controlled backhand dink from one destabilized by last-instant wrist movement.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my backhand dink less consistent than my forehand dink?
The backhand swing plane offers less natural paddle stability, so any wrist movement at contact has an outsized effect. Keeping the wrist firm and using a small step rather than a big swing usually fixes it.
Should I run around my backhand to hit a forehand dink instead?
Occasionally, if it sets up a clear advantage — but doing it habitually leaves you out of position and signals to opponents that your backhand is a target.
Related terms
- Forehand DinkA forehand dink is a soft, controlled shot hit on the dominant-hand side using a short pendulum motion of the paddle, arcing just over the net and dropping into the kitchen.
- Two-Handed Backhand (Pickleball)A two-handed backhand is a backhand dink or volley hit with both hands on the paddle, trading some reach for extra stability and paddle-face control.
- Wrist FirmnessWrist firmness is the degree to which the wrist is held stable — neither locked rigid nor loose and flipping — through contact, controlling the paddle face during fast exchanges.
- Paddle Ready PositionPaddle ready position is the neutral, out-in-front paddle hold used between shots, keeping the paddle face up and centered so a player can react equally quickly to either side.
- Soft HandsSoft hands is the ability to absorb pace from an incoming ball by relaxing the grip slightly at impact, converting a hard shot into a controlled, softly placed return.
Related guides & benchmarks
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