Tanner Tomassi’s Strategy: Tanner Tomassi, a professional pickleball player from Longport, NJ, reveals a valuable strategy to defend against attacks following a high dink. This technique helps players handle pressure when facing a popped-up dink, increasing their chances of successfully returning the shot.
Defending Against High Dinks
In pickleball, when a player hits a high dink—often called a “dead dink”—it gives opponents the opportunity to attack. The high ball is easy to strike, especially in the kitchen (the non-volley zone), which allows the opponent to generate an aggressive shot. Many players try to block or reset the ball while staying near the kitchen line, but this can leave them open to a counterattack.
Tanner Tomassi’s Tip: Step Back
Instead of staying near the kitchen line, Tanner Tomassi suggests taking a step back when a high dink is hit. By retreating slightly, players can create more space between themselves and the ball. This extra distance gives players more time to react, making it easier to return the shot more effectively.
Why Stepping Back Works
Staying close to the kitchen line can put players in a vulnerable position when the ball is high. A counterattack from the opponent can be difficult to block if the player remains in this fixed spot. By stepping back, players gain more time to prepare for the shot and improve their chances of defending or resetting the ball effectively. The key is to create enough space to react, without fully retreating from the kitchen.
What This Means for Your Game
This small but effective change can have a big impact on how players handle high dinks. By stepping back, players reduce the pressure of an immediate response and improve their ability to defend or counterattack. This strategy is particularly useful for players who struggle when their dink gets popped up and becomes a target for their opponents.
Tanner’s Approach to Teaching
Tanner Tomassi regularly shares pickleball tips on his social media and YouTube at Tanner Pickleball. His teaching style simplifies complex strategies, breaking them down into easy-to-understand advice that players at any skill level can follow.
News in Brief: Tanner Tomassi’s Strategy
Tanner Tomassi, a professional pickleball player, shares a simple but effective strategy for defending against high dinks. By stepping back from the kitchen line, players gain more time to react to attacks, improving their chances of returning the shot and resetting the point. This advice helps players under pressure in pickleball matches.
ALSO READ: Tanner Tomassi Breaks Down the Backhand Flick in 3 Simple Steps
