Drill library · Partner

Backhand Dink Battle

Partner3.0–4.0+10 minDinking

Why this drill

The backhand dink is most players' leak, and open play lets them hide it. Playing the left-side diagonal locks two backhands against each other for an entire rally — the weakness gets volume it cannot refuse.

Setup

Both players at the non-volley-zone line on the diagonal that puts the ball on both backhands (for two right-handers, odd-court to odd-court; adjust for your hands). Balls at the post.

The drill

Cooperative backhand dink rally first: a streak of twenty is the entry standard, forty is strong. Then play kitchen games to 7 on the same diagonal — every ball must land in the kitchen, and any dink hit as a forehand loses the point outright, which stops the run-around habit cold. Note which error ends your streaks: net balls mean you're stabbing at it, long balls mean wrist instead of shoulder.

One thought to take on court

Lead with the paddle face, push from the shoulder — the backhand dink has no backswing worth having.