Mastering Cross-Court Backhand Dinking: In a recent Instagram video, professional pickleball players Simone Jardim and Nate Adams offered valuable insights into perfecting the cross-court backhand dink, a challenging aspect of the game.
Adams highlighted a crucial technique for improving this skill: using your non-dominant hand. “As a right-hander, mastering the cross-court backhand dink with my left hand has been a significant challenge,” Adams admitted. “The key is to integrate either a top roll or backhand slice into your game.”
He emphasized the importance of engaging the non-dominant side of the body, even when playing with one hand. “A lot of players mistakenly believe that their non-dominant side doesn’t contribute to their backhand,” Adams explained. “But for a fluid and balanced shot, it’s essential to drop your left shoulder and bring it forward as you hit.”
Adams further detailed that proper balance and weight transfer are critical for both one-handed and two-handed backhands. “When your non-dominant arm is correctly positioned, it helps maintain balance and facilitates smoother weight transfer,” he noted. “Without this, players often find themselves off balance and struggling to control their shots.”
The advice from Jardim and Adams serves as a reminder that refining such technical skills requires attention to body mechanics and consistent practice. For players looking to elevate their game, focusing on these techniques could be a game-changer.
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