Linda Thompson’s Pickleball Strategy: Pickleball coach Linda Thompson is helping players adjust to the fast-changing world of competitive pickleball by teaching smarter cross-court dinking. Through drills and key tips, she shows how to make dinking more effective by moving opponents and setting up attack opportunities.
Moving Past Basic Dinks
Linda Thompson explains that many players make the mistake of hitting dinks to the same spot. This allows opponents to predict shots easily. She points out,
“A lot of times when people crosscourt dink they just go to the same spot every time and look at how he’s just hanging out there on that side ‘cause he knows every ball is going to that same spot.”-(Linda Thompson)
Thompson stresses that cross-court dinks must be varied and smartly placed.
“The thing is important to remember about crosscourt dinking is that this is a crosscourt dink, this is a crosscourt dink and this is a crosscourt dink.” -(Linda Thompson)
showing multiple target areas across the opponent’s court.
Make Opponents Move
The goal, according to Thompson, is to force the opponent to move during rallies.
“If you’re not making your opponent move with your dinks you’re losing a big advantage,” -(Linda Thompson)
By sending dinks to different parts of the court, players can cause their opponents to miss or give up weak returns.
“I already got him moving… and boom he’s given me a ball I can attack.” -(Linda Thompson)
This shows how effective dinking leads to offensive chances.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Thompson warns players not to use “dead dinks” that don’t challenge the opponent. She encourages drilling with purpose. “You just can’t hit dead dinks. You got to just go out there and drill and work on hitting penetrating effective dinks to the right spots.”
She also advises against sending balls too wide, which can be dangerous.
“Don’t give them that wide wide ball… as soon as you hit it… you’re already saying sorry to your partner because you know that you just gave them an ATP ball.”-(Linda Thompson)
Why This Matters in Today’s Game
As pickleball evolves, players must move beyond long, aimless dink rallies. The new style requires precise control and constant strategy. Linda Thompson’s lessons help players of all levels improve their skills and adjust to today’s faster, smarter play style.
Her teaching shows how using smarter cross-court dinks—combined with movement and variety—can make the difference between staying in the game or losing the edge.
News in Brief: Linda Thompson’s Pickleball Strategy
Coach Linda Thompson teaches smarter cross-court dinking to help players keep up with modern pickleball. She stresses moving opponents with varied shots and avoiding weak or wide dinks. Her tips show how to create attacking chances and avoid predictable play in today’s fast-paced game.
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