Volley Dink (Dinking Out of the Air)
Also known as: volley dink, volleying dinks, taking dinks out of the air, dinking out of the air, when to volley a dink, air dink
A volley dink is a soft dink you hit out of the air instead of letting it bounce. Take it when the ball is comfortably within reach and you can stay out of the kitchen, because it takes time away from your opponents. Let it bounce when you would have to stretch, lunge or lean into the kitchen to reach it.
Hitting a dink before it bounces takes time away from the other team. They have less time to set their feet, which can force off-balance shots, pop-ups and errors. A volley dink does not have to be an attack. It can be a soft, neutral reply that keeps you at the kitchen line.
Selkirk's coaching uses a simple test. Picture a bubble around your body, about as far as your arms comfortably reach. If the ball is inside the bubble, you can take it out of the air. If it is outside, let it bounce. If the ball is in a gray area, step straight back off the kitchen line, rather than pivoting, and play it after the bounce. Set up with your toes near the line, knees bent, chest up and the paddle in front.
The kitchen rule matters most here. Every volley must start outside the kitchen, and nothing touching you may touch the kitchen or its line while you volley. If your momentum carries you into the kitchen after the volley, it is still a fault, even after the ball is dead. That is why overreaching for a volley dink is costly.
Tips by skill level
Start by volleying only dinks that come right to you, in front of your body. Let everything else bounce.
Use volley dinks to take time away and move opponents, not just to keep the rally going. A well-placed volley dink at the feet or wide can set up the next attack.
Example
A crosscourt dink floats to mid-shin height, well within reach. The player takes it out of the air with a short, soft push. It lands low in the kitchen before her opponent has reset.
Why it matters
Taking dinks early rushes your opponents and keeps you at the kitchen line. Knowing when not to volley stops you from overreaching into mishits or kitchen faults.
Common mistakes
- Reaching for balls outside your comfortable range
- Leaning or stepping into the kitchen after the volley
- Turning a volley dink into a speed-up from below net height
- Pivoting instead of stepping straight back when the ball is in a gray area
Frequently asked questions
Should I volley dinks out of the air?
Yes, when the ball is comfortably in reach and you can stay out of the kitchen. It takes time away from your opponents. If you would have to stretch or lean in, let it bounce.
When should I let a dink bounce instead of volleying it?
When it is outside your comfortable reach or would pull you into the kitchen. In a gray area, step straight back off the line and play it after the bounce.
Can my momentum carry me into the kitchen after a volley?
No. If your volley's momentum carries you into the kitchen, it is a fault, even after the ball is dead.
Sources
Related terms
- DinkA dink is a soft, controlled shot hit from near the kitchen line. It arcs just over the net and lands in the opponent's kitchen, forcing them to hit upward and preventing an aggressive return.
- VolleyA volley is any shot hit out of the air before the ball bounces. In pickleball it must be struck while standing outside the kitchen — the non-volley zone — making footwork and position as important as stroke mechanics.
- Non-Volley Zone ViolationA non-volley zone violation happens when a player volleys a ball while touching the kitchen or its line. Any part of their body, clothing, or paddle counts, including from momentum right after the volley.
- Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)The kitchen is the 7-foot non-volley zone on each side of the net. You may not hit a volley (a ball out of the air) while standing in it or touching its line. You must let the ball bounce first.
- Kitchen Line PositionKitchen line position refers to standing as close to the non-volley zone line as legally possible. This maximizes net coverage and offensive angle while minimizing the court area opponents can attack.
- Dink Rally PatienceDink rally patience is the discipline to keep the ball low and controlled through a long dink exchange. You wait for a real opening instead of forcing an early attack.
Related guides & benchmarks
Put this into practice
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