8 Shape Dinks
What you're working on
A movement and placement drill that creates a figure-of-8 pattern across the kitchen line. By combining down-the-line and crosscourt dinks simultaneously, both players are constantly moving and hitting to different targets. A good drill for raising the heart rate while developing footwork, shot placement, and consistency under movement
See how the drill works
Run the drill
Drill Set Up
Two players, one on each side of the net, both positioned at the kitchen line with paddles and balls. You only play in one side of the court so either both players on the right or both on the left side of the court
How to run it
- Player 1 hits all dinks down the line.
- Player 2 hits all dinks crosscourt.
- The combination of these two shot directions creates a continuous figure-of-8 pattern across the court.
- Both players focus on moving to the ball, hitting their designated target, and recovering to position.
- Continue for a set time or number of repetitions, then switch roles.
Coaching Points
• Player 1 hits down the line only, Player 2 hits crosscourt only, maintain the pattern throughout.
• Shuffle across to get behind the ball rather than reaching.
• Focus on shot placement and consistency, not pace.
• Recover to a balanced position after every shot, the figure-of-8 pattern will expose poor recovery quickly.
• This drill raises the heart rate, stay low, stay composed, and keep the movement efficient.