Tanner Tomassi’s Super Deceptive Shot: Professional pickleball player Tanner Tomassi recently shared an innovative tactic on Instagram aimed at enhancing player strategy during dinking rallies. His breakdown of a “super deceptive shot” offers a clever way to disrupt opponents’ timing and gain a competitive edge.

The Art of Deception: The Pickleball Windup Technique
Tanner Tomassi introduced the idea of incorporating a big windup when returning a “dead dink,” which he describes as a lofty, less aggressive shot. Instead of rushing to hit it back, he recommends adding an exaggerated windup before striking the ball.
“This will throw off their timing and make your shot way harder to read,” Tanner Tomassi explained, emphasizing how the move creates unpredictability in a rally.
Recognizing the Dead Dink in Pickleball
A key aspect of Tanner Tomassi’s strategy is identifying when to deploy this deceptive tactic. A “dead dink” refers to a slow, floating shot that lacks pace or aggression. These moments present an opportunity for players to disrupt the rhythm of their opponents and introduce surprise into the exchange.
Timing is Everything
The core advantage of the windup lies in its ability to alter the opponent’s expectations. By delaying the shot slightly with a dramatic motion, players can make it harder for their opponent to anticipate the ball’s placement. This strategy combines subtlety and flair, proving that deception is just as vital as precision in pickleball.
News in Brief: Tanner Tomassi’s Super Deceptive Shot
Professional pickleball player Tanner Tomassi shared a creative strategy to disrupt opponents during dinking rallies. He introduced the “windup technique,” where players use an exaggerated windup when returning a “dead dink”—a slow, floating shot lacking aggression.
This tactic throws off the opponent’s timing and makes the shot unpredictable. Tanner Tomassi emphasized the importance of recognizing dead dinks as opportunities to break the rhythm of a rally. By altering expectations with a delayed, deceptive motion, players gain a strategic edge. Tomassi’s approach highlights the value of timing and creativity, offering a fresh way to control the pace and outcome of pickleball exchanges.
ALSO READ: How to Hit a Perfect Forehand Drive That Dominates the Pickleball Court