THE COACHING CAMPUS / DRILL LIBRARY
Dink Attack Decision
Builds the patience to wait for the right moment to attack in a dink rally, rather than attacking too early.
VIEW THE COURT PLAN
SKILL LEVEL
All Levels
PLAYERS
2
PRIMARY SHOT TYPE
Dink
TRAINING TYPE
Game
THE EXERCISE
What you're working on
This drill builds patience to wait for the right opportunity to attack during a dink rally, rather than attacking prematurely. Play takes place straight-ahead on one side of the court only, not cross-court.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
2 paddles, 1 ball, net
01 / COURT PLAN
See how the drill works
Follow the player positions and numbered sequence in the diagram.
CLICK TO ENLARGE THE DIAGRAM
02 / ON COURT
Run the drill
Drill Set Up
- Requires 2 players, paddles, and a ball.
- Both players start at the kitchen line.
How to run it
- Players rally straight-ahead dinks, staying on one side of the court.
- Five consecutive dinks must be played.
- After the five dinks, players can attack, move the opponent around, or continue dinking until one player wins the point.
Coaching Points
- If the player has to lean or reach out for the ball, it is not the right shot to attack.
- If the ball is above net height and right in front of the player, that is the shot to opt for an attack.
- The drill is about developing the discipline to wait for a clearly attackable ball rather than forcing an attack too early.
03 / VARIATIONS
Make it work for your group
- Beginners: increase the initial dinking requirement to 10 consecutive dinks before attacking.
- Advanced players: one player is designated as the attacker, while the other player's role is only to reset the ball back, aiming to win the point through resets. Roles can be switched after a few repetitions.