Tanner Tomassi Exposes the Hand Speed Errors: Professional pickleball player Tanner Tomassi took to Instagram to share three common mistakes that hinder hand speed at the kitchen line. His advice targets 4.0-level players aiming to improve reaction times and dominate hand battles during play.
Tomassi’s video highlighted these mistakes: grabbing the paddle with the opposite hand between shots, changing grips mid-battle, and moving the feet unnecessarily. He emphasized how avoiding these errors can lead to faster hands and better control during critical moments.
Mistake 1: Grabbing the Paddle with the Other Hand
Tomassi explained that many players slow themselves down by habitually grabbing the paddle with their non-dominant hand after each shot. “I see this at every clinic I teach,” he said. This action wastes time and disrupts readiness for the next ball, creating a delay in reacting.
Mistake 2: Changing Grips During Play
Switching grips for dinking and hand battles is another common error. Tomassi demonstrated how players often lose control when they alter their grip.
“They’re dinking, everything’s fine. They come up to a hands battle… look, and then they do this. However you dink, that is how you should be in a hands battle. Do not change it.” – (Tanner Tomassi)
Mistake 3: Happy Feet
The third mistake is unnecessary foot movement, or what Tomassi calls “happy feet.” He advised players to keep their feet still and use only their arms to react.
“We wanna keep our feet completely still and only use our arm to react to the ball.” – (Tanner Tomassi).
This technique helps players stay grounded and react more quickly to incoming shots.
Insights for Aspiring Players
Tomassi’s advice is particularly aimed at intermediate players striving for a higher DUPR rating. He wrapped up the video with a festive touch.
“Merry Christmas. I hope Santa brought you a higher duper rating.” – (Tanner Tomassi)
Why It Matters
For pickleball players, hand speed can make the difference between winning and losing critical points. By addressing these common mistakes, Tomassi offers practical strategies to improve gameplay. Players at all levels can benefit from these insights to elevate their performance and confidence on the court.
News in Brief: Tanner Tomassi Exposes the Hand Speed Errors
Professional pickleball player Tanner Tomassi shared three critical pickleball mistakes that slow hand speed at the kitchen line. He highlighted grabbing the paddle with the opposite hand, changing grips mid-play, and unnecessary foot movement as common errors.
Tomassi explained how correcting these habits can improve reaction times, control, and overall performance. His advice targets intermediate players aiming to dominate hand battles and elevate their game to the next level.
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