From Tennis to Pickleball: Why “Dinking” Wins Games (and Why It’s the Law School Mindset You Need)

When I grew up playing tennis, “dinking” wasn’t a compliment. It usually meant you hit a soft, defensive shot instead of going for a strong, aggressive winner. In tennis, you’d get told, “Don’t dink—hit through the ball!”

But in pickleball? The dink is a weapon. It’s the shot you must master to win at higher levels. The goal of a dink is simple: keep the ball low and slow over the net into your opponent’s non-volley zone, forcing them into an awkward shot or mistake. It’s not flashy. It’s not about power. It’s about patience, placement, and setting up your next move.

Pickleball Kingdom in Centerville, OH

Why the Dink Dominates in Pickleball

In tennis, the court is big, the ball moves fast, and sheer pace can win you the point. In pickleball, the smaller court and lighter ball mean that power alone is often neutralized—especially at the kitchen line. The dink keeps the rally controlled, prevents your opponent from attacking, and draws them out of position.

Here’s the irony: in tennis, “dinking” meant you were playing not to lose. In pickleball, it means you’re playing to win the smart way.

The Law School Connection: Your Academic “Dink Game”

Law school success isn’t about taking big, wild swings every time—whether that’s in class discussions, on exams, or in outlining. It’s about control, patience, and consistency.

• 1Ls often believe they need to conquer entire subjects in a single sitting, cramming like it’s a sprint to the finish. Some students mistakenly think big bursts of effort can replace steady, methodical practice. Instead, break your work into smaller, consistent sessions: brief cases daily, review class notes regularly, and outline as you go—not at the end.

  
  

• 2Ls and 3Ls sometimes try to coast on prior experience, assuming they can “wing it” because they’ve done this before. Some students skip the set-up work—practice questions, targeted review, refining outlines—and end up with preventable errors. Keep building points through deliberate practice, updating outlines regularly, and engaging with professors for clarification.

  
  

• Graduates preparing for the bar exam often underestimate how much consistent work is required, thinking they can “turn it on” in the last few weeks. Some students treat the bar like a final exam they can cram for, but you can’t win the bar exam with a late-game push—you have to set up success point-by-point, topic-by-topic, starting from the very beginning of your prep. Follow a structured schedule, integrate regular practice exams, and track your progress over time.

Key Takeaways for Law Students and Bar Preppers

• Control over Chaos: In pickleball, a dink controls the pace and keeps your opponent from attacking; in law school, focus on placing your effort where it counts, not just swinging wildly at every opportunity.

  
  

• Set Up Your Future Self: Just as a series of well-placed dinks sets up an easy put-away shot, each small, precise academic effort today makes tomorrow’s “winner” (final exam or bar day) much easier.

  
  

• Be Patient: In pickleball, long dink rallies reward the player who stays composed. In law school, success often comes down to who’s willing to stay in the game longer without cracking under pressure.

In tennis, I was told not to dink. In pickleball—and in law school—the dink is the shot that wins championships. Play smart. Play steady. And remember: in both games, the point isn’t over until you control it.