Callie Jo Smith’s Shot Disguise Technique: Callie Jo Smith, a professional pickleball player recognized for her strategic skills, recently shared a vital tip on Instagram for disguising speedups during play. Smith emphasized the importance of making every shot, especially dinks, appear identical to keep opponents guessing. Her advice offers a masterclass in deception, a crucial element in high-level pickleball.
View this post on Instagram
The Art of Disguise: Make Every Shot Look Alike
Smith explained that the key to effective disguise lies in consistency. “Make all your dinks look the same as your speedups,” she advised. This approach prevents opponents from predicting an attack based on visual cues.
While Smith acknowledged her own tendency to pause or wind up before speedups, she shared that incorporating the same movement into every dink has helped mask her intentions. This uniformity forces opponents to constantly second-guess her next move.
Adding the Element of Surprise
Smith looked into the variations of her technique, particularly her forehand. She described how holding her paddle position for an extra moment can freeze opponents. “That little bit of a hold makes them think—am I speeding up, dinking cross, or going middle?” she explained. By maintaining this deliberate hesitation, Smith creates uncertainty, buying herself valuable time to execute her chosen shot.
The pause, she noted, can be used strategically to mislead opponents into expecting one trajectory while delivering another. For instance, she might initially align her paddle as though aiming cross-court, only to suddenly whip the ball down the middle or at the player in front of her. This surprise disrupts the rhythm of her opponents, forcing them into reactive play.
Freezing the Opposition
Smith emphasized that the ultimate goal of disguising speedups is to make opponents hesitate. That hesitation, even if just for a fraction of a second, creates an opportunity to dictate the pace of the rally. “If they freeze, they have to decide—are they countering or dinking?” Smith explained. This momentary indecision often tips the balance of the point in her favor, allowing her to control the outcome.
News in Brief: Callie Jo Smith’s Shot Disguise Technique
Professional pickleball player Callie Jo Smith shared tips on Instagram for disguising speedups to outsmart opponents. She emphasized making all shots, including dinks and speedups, appear identical to prevent opponents from predicting attacks. Callie Jo Smith highlighted using a deliberate paddle pause to freeze opponents, creating hesitation and disrupting their rhythm.
By misleading opponents with consistent shot mechanics and subtle cues, Callie Jo Smith forces them into reactive play, gaining control of the rally. Her insights provide a tactical edge for players, showing how deception and mental strategy are critical to success in pickleball. Callie Jo Smith’s advice applies to players at all skill levels.
ALSO READ: Callie Jo Smith’s Game-Changing Tips for Mastering the Return of Serve in Pickleball