If you’re playing around a 3.5 DUPR rating, and you’ve hit the kitchen line plenty of times but still feel a little stuck. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Controlling the kitchen line is all about timing, placement, and strategy, not just force. Connor Garnett shares three simple but effective strategies to help level up your game and dominate those key points at the net.

1. Keep the Ball in Front of You

One of the most common mistakes at the 3.5 level is letting the ball drift too far away from your body. You’ll have more control when the ball stays inside your “gate,” right in front of your body.

Many players try to reach sideways, which often results in mistakes or lost points. Don't be afraid to really focus on keeping the ball in front of you. It might feel like overcorrecting at first, but it’s the best way to maintain control, especially during fast-paced pickleball tournaments or casual doubles play.

Watch tip #1 here.

2. Don’t Rush Your Shots

Rushing at the kitchen line is a recipe for errors. At a 3.5 level, it’s tempting to short hop or swing too quickly, but letting the ball come to you gives you more control and time to make smart decisions.

If you give yourself even an extra second to react, you’ll notice your dinks and volleys landing more consistently, and opponents will have a harder time predicting your next move.

Watch tip #2 here.

3. Master Defensive vs. Offensive Dinks

Once you’re comfortable keeping the ball in front and controlling your timing, it’s time to refine your dinking strategy.

• Defensive dink: Paddle tip down, focus on lifting the ball just over the net. This is your go to when you have less time and need a safe, reliable shot.
• Offensive dink: Paddle angled slightly to the side, adding slice or topspin to challenge your opponents and push them off the court. Use this approach when you have extra time to set up and want to apply pressure at the kitchen line.

By mastering both defensive and offensive dinks, you can adapt to any situation, whether in local pickleball tournaments or a friendly match against opponents with higher pickleball ratings.

Pro tip: At 3.5, focus on reading the court and picking the right dink style instead of trying to hit winners every time.

Watch tip #3 here.

Level Up Your Game

Controlling the kitchen line is a mix of positioning, timing, and strategy. For 3.5 players, small adjustments, like keeping the ball in front, varying your shot pace, and switching between defensive and offensive dinks, can help you stay unpredictable at the kitchen line.

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