Tanner Tomassi’s Top Tips for Tournament Newbies: As players prepare for their first pickleball tournament, employing the right strategies can be crucial for success. Tanner Tomassi, a renowned pickleball social media personality known for his insightful tips and engaging content, offers essential advice to help individuals excel on the court. Here’s how players can leverage their expert strategies to gain an edge over their competition.
1. Adhere to the 10-Dink Minimum Rule
Tanner Tomassi highlights a crucial strategy for new tournament players.
If you’re about to play your first ever pickleball tournament, listen to this strategy advice to have a leg up on your competition. Number one, you and your partner need to implement the 10-dink minimum rule, meaning you cannot speed the ball up until you’ve hit at least 10 dinks.” – (Tomassi)
Tomassi points out that impatience is a common pitfall among inexperienced players. After a few dinks, many feel compelled to speed up the game. Sticking to the 10-dink rule helps build rhythm and positions the players effectively to seize the right moment for an attack.
2. Use Third Shot Drives Early in the Match
According to Tomassi, the early stages of a match are not the best time for third shot drops.
“Number two, is early in the match, you should be hitting third shot drives at 70% power as opposed to third shot drops.” – (Tomassi)
The goal is to manage the nerves and pressure experienced by both players and their opponents. By using third shot drives with controlled power, players can exert pressure on their opponents without the need for a perfect drop shot. The objective is to set up a more manageable fifth shot drop, rather than aiming for immediate points.
3. Invest in Proper Footwear
Tomassi also shows the importance of proper footwear for tournament play.
“Number three, is you’re going to be on your feet the majority of the day, either playing or standing. So you want to come prepared with the proper footwear.” – (Tomassi)
He recommends adding sports insoles to enhance comfort and minimize fatigue.
“I also put sports insoles in my shoes so my feet don’t feel fatigued. I personally use these victory ones and find that when it gets later in the day, I may feel that much better than my competition, which could be the difference between losing and winning.” – (Tomassi)
By incorporating Tomassi’s advice—sticking to the 10-dink rule, using third shot drives early, and investing in quality footwear—players will enhance their readiness and performance in their debut pickleball tournament.
News in Brief: Tanner Tomassi’s Top Tips for Tournament Newbies
Pickleball social media personality Tanner Tomassi shares crucial tips for first-time tournament players. He advises implementing the 10-dink minimum rule to avoid impatience and maintain control. Early in the match, Tomassi suggests using third shot drives at 70% power to manage nerves and pressure opponents, rather than relying on precise third shot drops.
Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of proper footwear, including sports insoles, to prevent fatigue and maintain performance throughout the day. These strategies can significantly enhance their readiness and competitiveness in their inaugural pickleball tournament.
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