In a sport where fast hands and hard hits often get the spotlight, it is easy to think that power is the path to victory. However, ask any experienced player, and they will tell you it is the combination of hard hits and soft shots—drops and dinks— that separates good players from great ones.
Why the Soft Game Matters
Yes, hitting hard can win points, but only if your opponent makes a mistake. Against experienced players, constant power becomes predictable and easy to counter. The soft game, on the other hand, gives you control. It forces your opponent to play with precision, makes attacking risky, and sets the stage for high-percentage winners where you can finish with power.
Soft shots slow the game down, disrupt aggressive players, and keep you in control of the rally. They also help neutralize players who rely on speed and power, especially at the net. By setting up your point through a mix of power and control, you can create opportunities to get to the net, gain advantages and win points.
Mastering the Drop Shot
The faster and more powerful shots can pressure your opponent, but it can also take your time away to prepare for the next shot. In comparison, if you hit a slower shot that sits in the air more, it will give you more time to move or make a decision.
For example, if you and your partner are at the baseline and your opponents are at the net, automatically, your team is at a disadvantage. Let’s say you are choosing to hit fast drives repeatedly to put pressure on your opponents to force a mistake.The choice to repeatedly drive is not giving your team much time to make it up to the line to neutralize the rally and you are hoping your opponents cannot handle the hard shots. Maybe this strategy is working right now, but once you start to play with more advanced players who can handle your power, driving the ball repeatedly will not work. When both of your opponents are at the net, they are in an advantageous position because they have more options and a place to hit the ball compared to your team who is at the baseline.
Instead, let’s say your team hits a drop–a slow-moving ball that usually lands in the kitchen and forces your opponents to hit up on the ball. The drop will give you and your partner time to get to the net, neutralizing the rally and providing your team with more options to attack or reset the point.
Furthermore, a great drop shot isn’t just a way to move from the baseline to the kitchen—it’s a reset. It takes your opponent’s speed out of the equation and gives you time to get into position. With a smooth, controlled motion and a soft landing in the kitchen, you can shift momentum in your favour.
Tips:
Use a low-to-high swing with a relaxed grip.
In a balanced position, contact the ball out in front of you
Aim to clear the net with a soft arc that drops in the non-volley zone.
Focus on consistency—don’t rush it.
Why Dinking Wins Matches
At the kitchen line, dinking is your chess game. It’s not about flash—it’s about strategy. Well-placed dinks can wear your opponent down, force errors, and open the door for a putaway. When you are dinking, focus on getting your opponents off balance or moving so you can attack them to get an easier shot to put away with power. By mixing up depth, spin, and placement, you keep your opponent uncomfortable and reactive.
Tips:
Stay low and balanced to adjust to tricky bounces.
Use your shoulder to guide the paddle for better control.
Target their feet or backhand side to make their shots more defensive.
Knowing When to Turn Defense into Offense
Drops and dinks set you up—but you still need to recognize when to strike. Watch for high, sitting balls and be ready to pounce, but don’t rush and try to attack a low ball or when you're off balance, which usually leads to errors. Patience is power when it comes to the soft game.
Ready to level up your game? Start by embracing control over chaos. The soft game isn’t just a way to survive—it’s how you take charge, wear down opponents, and win the points that matter.