James Ignatowich Pickleball Dink Technique: James Ignatowich from Delray Beach is teaching pickleball players a better way to create topspin on their dinks. He explains that players should avoid using their wrist and instead focus on a smooth forward motion with the paddle to stay consistent. Wrist flicks, he says, lead to errors and poor control.
When hitting a forehand dink, James Ignatowich advises players to keep their paddle on the same side it started on. The correct motion involves brushing the ball forward with the paddle face starting below the hand. This form creates reliable topspin and helps improve shot consistency.
Why the Wrist Should Stay Quiet
James Ignatowich warns that using wrist action for topspin on dinks can cause problems. Though it may work a few times, it’s not a repeatable skill over a long rally.
“Yes, it’s possible to generate topspin using wrist action, but it’s not sustainable. You might get away with it once or twice, but you won’t be able to do it 50 times in a row,” he said.
He advises players to check their form if they notice the paddle flipping.
“If you feel your paddle starting to flip or your wrist taking over, reset your form. Wristy dinks lead to mistakes.”
Wrist Flicks Have a Time and Place
While James Ignatowich discourages wrist use on dinks, he makes it clear that wrist action can be helpful in other shots.
“Wrist action does have its place—like when you’re hitting a topspin roll or driving the ball with pace,” he explained.
In aggressive situations, using the wrist to add speed and topspin is acceptable. But for dinks, he stresses that the focus should be on steady control.
“If you’re being aggressive and want to add velocity and topspin to a shot, go for it. But on dinks, power isn’t the goal—consistency is. Using your wrist on a dink will only hurt your control and increase your errors.”
Teaching Better Technique
James Ignatowich’s tip about keeping the paddle face below the hand and pushing forward gives players a reliable method for topspin. It allows for more control and reduces mistakes during rallies.
He believes this technique helps players become more consistent without needing quick wrist movements that are hard to repeat.
Why It Matters for Players
Dinking is a key skill in pickleball, especially near the kitchen line. By using the correct paddle motion instead of wrist flicks, players can stay consistent during long rallies.
James Ignatowich’s advice helps players avoid unnecessary errors and keep control of the point. This simple change can lead to better performance in both practice and competitive games.
News in Brief: James Ignatowich Pickleball Dink Technique
James Ignatowich from Delray Beach teaches players to create topspin on dinks using a smooth push, not wrist flicks. His technique improves control and reduces errors. Wrist action, he says, is better used for fast shots, not soft dinks. This approach builds consistency and long-term success on the court.
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