In a nutshell, basic pickleball strategy could be described as “Make a hole and hit through it.” This strategy is especially important to keep in mind when dinking.

To make a hole, you’ll need to coerce your opponent out of their home position by moving them from side to side and back and forth. Ideally, you’ll be the one maintaining your position while you gradually work your opponent out of theirs. It’s like pushing someone around who is trying to play the game of Twister. If you can get them off-balance, they will most likely make a mistake and give you a ball that is attackable. You’ll know you’ve reached true Evil Dinking Genius status if you can do so without their even realizing it! (Maniacal laughter while dinking is optional, but it’s probably best not to do it out loud.)

Another offensive goal when dinking is to get your opponent to back away from the kitchen line, which makes them less able to hit down on the ball and opens additional angles and court real estate for you. Most important, it exposes their feet to being attacked. Most players have a very difficult time dealing with balls hit directly at their feet. When you can maintain your position 1–3 inches from the line, the net does some of the work of protecting your feet. Even getting backed off just a few steps will make your feet extremely vulnerable, like wading barefoot through a kiddie pool full of piranhas.

Here are some proven dinking targets and strategies that will win you points:

• Dink to your opponent’s feet or behind their feet.
• Make them reach or change direction.
• Pull them out wide.
• Mix it up and keep them guessing.

Find this tip plus more in your own signed copy of Pickleball for Dummies.