Forehand and backhand dink control

Setup

1. Pair up straight across the net, toes just behind the kitchen line on each side.
2. With several pairs on one court, give each pair its own lane and agree to call "ball on court" if a stray ball rolls through.

How it runs

1. Round 1, three minutes: forehand dinks only. Every ball must land in the partner's kitchen; count the best streak.
2. Round 2, three minutes: both players shift half a step so the ball arrives on the backhand. Backhand dinks only.
3. Round 3, three minutes: alternate, so each dink is placed to the partner's forehand, then their backhand, and so on.
4. A dink that lands outside the kitchen, or rises high enough to be attacked, sets the streak back to zero.

Coaching points

• Meet the ball out in front of the body with a slightly open paddle face.
• Lift from the legs and shoulder; keep the wrist quiet rather than flicking at the ball.
• On the backhand, turn the shoulders a little and push through with the back of the paddle hand leading.
• Let the ball peak on your own side of the net, then fall into the kitchen.
• Return to a paddle-up ready position after every contact.

Common mistakes

• Reaching with the arm while standing tall instead of bending the knees.
• Stepping around the backhand to hit a forehand.
• A long, loose swing that sends the ball deep or floating.