Week 3 – Intro to Dinking (Sept 22–26, 2025)
This week, our students learned the art of the dink — a gentle, controlled shot that teaches patience, precision, and teamwork. Both groups practiced placement, consistency, and focus through a mix of partner drills, fun balloon challenges, and short-court rallies that kept everyone smiling and improving.
This Week’s Focus: Intro to Dinking and Accuracy Control
Kindergarten–2nd Grade (Week 3 – 60 Minutes)
Chunk 1 (20 min) – Intro to Dinking
Main (12 min): Partner Dinks – gentle taps over a low net/line, one bounce allowed.
Sideline: “Dink Targets” (drop-hit into cones/hoops) or balloon rally with a buddy.
Fun (6 min): Magic Dink Count – whole group builds one rally total toward a “magic number” celebration.
Chunk 2 (20 min) – Accuracy & Control
Main (12 min): Kitchen Cone Aim – dink to land near cones in kitchen.
Sideline: Solo paddle challenge – how many taps in a row on paddle face.
Fun (6 min): Freeze Dink – coach yells “freeze” mid-dink; everyone holds silly poses.
Chunk 3 (20 min) – Game Play Introduction
Main (12 min): Mini Rallies – short-court games; pairs try to rally 3–5 shots cooperatively.
Sideline: “Serve & Catch” practice – drop-serve to partner who catches.
Fun (6 min): Balloon Smash – coach tosses balloon; each child smashes it gently over the net with paddle.
Grades 3–5 (Week 3 – 60 Minutes)
Chunk 1 (20 min) – Dink Foundations
Main (12 min): Partner Dink Rallies – pairs at kitchen line, aiming for long streaks.
Sideline: Wall dinks – continuous taps against fence/wall.
Fun (6 min): Quickfire Dink Contest – pairs compete: who can get to 10 first.
Chunk 2 (20 min) – Accuracy & Placement
Main (12 min): Kitchen Target Game – cones or taped zones; score points for accuracy.
Sideline: Solo serve practice – drop-serve into target box; count how many land in.
Fun (6 min): Knockout Dinks – elimination game where last pair dinking wins.
Chunk 3 (20 min) – Transition Toward Play
Main (12 min): Short Rally Games – 2v2 on half court, focus on keeping ball alive (not scoring).
Sideline: “Challenge Rally” – 2 kids on sideline see how many forehand taps in a row they can do.
Coach’s Notes / Wrap-Up
Our youngest players showed amazing control and patience learning how to keep the ball in play, while older students worked on accuracy and composure at the kitchen line. Next week, we’ll build on these skills by introducing volley reactions and quick-movement drills.