Pickleball Tips from Tanner Tomassi: Professional pickleball player Tanner Tomassi recently took to Instagram to address a prevalent error he often sees among intermediate players at the 4.0 level. The issue arises when responding to an aggressive wide dink, and Tomassi’s advice emphasizes resetting the rally rather than attempting risky counterattacks. His insights are invaluable for players looking to refine their strategies and maintain control during competitive doubles matches.
The Common Mistake: Chasing the Angle
According to Tomassi, one of the most frequent errors players make at the 4.0 level is attempting to return an aggressive wide dink with an equally sharp angle.
“As soon as someone hits a sharp dink to you where they have the upper hand, players often try to chase it down and hit it back just as sharply.” – (Tanner Tomassi)
While this might seem like an appropriate response, it often leads to unforced errors or gives the opponent an even greater advantage. Instead, Tanner Tomassi demands a more calculated approach that shifts the momentum of the rally in your favor.
The Power of the Reset
Rather than going for a sharp angle, Tanner Tomassi suggests aiming for the middle of the court. “If someone hits an aggressive dink out wide at you, don’t go back with a sharp angle. Reset the ball to the middle,” he advises. This strategy neutralizes the aggressive shot and forces the opponents to recalibrate their positioning.
By placing the ball in the middle, players can effectively take away the angles available to their opponents, slowing the pace of the rally and regaining control. “It’s about resetting the rally, not trying to win the point outright with a risky shot,” Tanner Tomassi adds.
Footwork: The Key to Execution
In addition to shot placement, Tanner Tomassi highlights the importance of footwork when dealing with aggressive dinks. “When the ball’s coming in fast, notice I cross-step to cut off the angle as opposed to shimmying off the court,” he explains. This technique allows players to reach the ball more efficiently while maintaining balance and staying in a position to execute a controlled shot.
The cross-step method helps players cover wide shots without losing their positioning on the court. Proper footwork is critical to ensuring that the reset shot to the middle is effective and precise.
Applying the Strategy in Doubles Play
Tanner Tomassi’s advice is particularly useful for doubles players, where coordination and communication are essential. Resetting the ball to the middle not only neutralizes the opponent’s attack but also gives you and your partner time to regroup and establish a strong defensive position.
Tanner Tomassi encourages players to share these insights with their doubles partners. “Send this video to your doubles partner,” he says, emphasizing the need for both players to understand and implement the strategy to maximize its effectiveness.
News in Brief: Pickleball Tips from Tanner Tomassi
Professional pickleball player Tanner Tomassi addressed a common error among 4.0-level players when responding to aggressive wide dinks. He advises against attempting sharp-angle counterattacks, which often lead to unforced errors. Instead, Tanner Tomassi recommends resetting the rally by aiming for the middle of the court, neutralizing the opponent’s advantage and regaining control.
He emphasizes the importance of efficient footwork, particularly the cross-step, to cut off angles while maintaining balance. This strategy is especially valuable in doubles play, where coordination is key. By focusing on resetting rather than risky shots, players can enhance their consistency and elevate their overall game.
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