If you’ve played tennis before, you’ve probably done this one. It’s called Dingles and the good news is, it works in pickleball too. In fact, it might be one of the most fun ways to get better at the kitchen line without even realizing you’re drilling.

Pro player Bobbi Oshiro says:

“One of my favorite games that I like to play at the kitchen line actually comes from tennis… and surprisingly, it does work in pickleball too.”

So what is “dingles”? Let’s break it down.

‍How to Play Dingles

• Grab 4 players and line up at the kitchen line.
  
• Start two cross-court rallies at the same time (yep, two balls in play).
  
• When one rally ends, the second ball turns into a normal doubles point with all four players.

Scoring’s flexible:

• Option 1: Each cross-court rally = 1 point. The doubles rally = 2 points. Play to 21.
  
• Option 2: If your team wins both the cross-court rally and the doubles rally, that’s 1 point. Play to 11.

Rotate sides so you and your partner practice both the left and right.

Why It’s So Good for Pickleball

This drill forces you to:

• Stay sharp at the kitchen line.
  
• Communicate with your partner (or else chaos).
  
• Transition smoothly from controlled dinks into competitive points.
  

“I absolutely love Dingles. It’s one of my go-to warmup games, but I also use it just for fun to get the competitive juices flowing before rec matches,” said pro player Bobbi Oshiro in her explanation video.

Tennis vs. Pickleball: What’s Different?

• In tennis, dingles focuses on baseline consistency, volleys, and sharp net play.
  
• In pickleball, it’s about dinking, patience, and not popping the ball up.

Same idea, different skill sets, but the crossover makes it great for anyone who’s played both sports.

Why You Should Try It Tonight

Instead of just rallying straight-on to warm up, throw in a few rounds of Dingles. You’ll laugh, you’ll scramble, and you’ll get better without it feeling like “practice.”

Want to see how Bobbi Oshiro sets it up? Watch a quick 1-minute video on how to play dingles.