Callie Jo Smith Breaks Down the Biggest Dinking Mistake And How to Fix It Instantly

Callie Jo Smith Breaks Down the Biggest Dinking Mistake: Callie Jo Smith, a professional pickleball player celebrated for her precision and tactical insight, recently shared a key tip on Instagram to help players improve their dinking consistency. Smith identified a common mistake many players make—lifting their bodies too early during a dink—and provided practical advice to address it. Her approach focuses on maintaining proper body positioning and reinforcing muscle memory to enhance control and accuracy.

 

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Identifying the Problem: Lifting Too Early

Smith explained that lifting the chest or body too early during a dink can lead to a range of issues, including mishits and inconsistent play. She attributed this mistake to several factors:

• Anticipation: Thinking too far ahead about the next shot.
• Focus Shift: Looking at where the ball should go before making contact.
• Fatigue: Laziness or tiredness causing players to neglect proper technique.

These habits, Smith noted, can disrupt rhythm and control, resulting in shots that fall into the net or lose precision. Recognizing this as a widespread problem, she offered reassurance that it is common and easily fixable.

Staying Low: The Key to Consistency

To combat the issue, Smith emphasized the importance of staying low through the dink. “I want to make sure as I’m moving, I stay down in my knees and keep my chest down,” she explained. This positioning helps maintain stability and ensures that the ball stays low, increasing accuracy.

Smith provided a clear example to show her point. When players lift their bodies too early, they tend to mishit the ball, often sending it into the net. In contrast, remaining low through the motion keeps the dink on target and improves consistency.

Building Better Habits

Smith advised players to focus on deliberate practice to break the habit of lifting too early. She recommended a simple yet effective drill: dinking back and forth with a partner while concentrating solely on staying low and maintaining proper posture. This drill not only helps reinforce muscle memory but also builds confidence in executing consistent dinks during competitive play.

Simplifying the Approach

The good news, according to Smith, is that these issues are easily correctable with practice and awareness. By narrowing their focus to the fundamentals—staying down in the knees, keeping the chest low, and avoiding premature movement—players can quickly see improvement in their dinking game.

News in Brief: Callie Jo Smith Breaks Down the Biggest Dinking Mistake