Tanner Tomassi’s Backhand Dink Tips: Professional pickleball player Tanner Tomassi has shared his expertise in a concise yet impactful tutorial on one of the sport’s essential skills: the backhand dink. Tomassi’s advice, delivered in under a minute, focused on alignment, paddle preparation, and touch, offering players of all levels a straightforward path to improving their finesse game at the kitchen line.
Aligning the Feet for Targeted Precision
The foundation of an effective backhand dink begins with proper foot alignment. Tomassi stressed that a player’s feet should be directed toward their target to establish accuracy and consistency.
“If I want to dink that way, my feet should not be misaligned. They should form a straight line toward the target.” – (Tanner Tomassi)
Correct foot positioning allows for better control of the ball and reduces the risk of errant shots. This alignment not only enhances precision but also promotes stability, enabling players to remain balanced throughout the shot.
Setting the Paddle Early
Tanner Tomassi highlighted the importance of preparing the paddle as the ball approaches. He advised players to keep their paddle steady and aimed toward the intended direction of the shot. “Your paddle should be set and completely still, facing where you want the ball to go,” he said.
This eliminates unnecessary movements that can disrupt the shot’s trajectory and cause the ball to float, leaving opponents with an easy opportunity to counter. By maintaining a stationary paddle and focusing on the target, players can achieve a clean, controlled shot.
The Art of the Push
When it comes to making contact with the ball, Tanner Tomassi urged players to think of a gentle push rather than a hit or slice.
“The backhand dink is a very soft shot. It requires a light touch. Don’t think hit or slice—think push.” – (Tanner Tomassi)
This approach minimizes errors and keeps the ball low over the net, making it harder for opponents to attack. A soft, controlled push allows players to dictate the pace of the rally and maintain an advantageous position at the net.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Tanner Tomassi addressed one of the most frequent errors players make when executing a backhand dink: unnecessary movement. “Many players wind up at the last second, adding extra motion that causes the ball to float,” he noted.
This flaw not only compromises accuracy but also gives opponents more time to prepare their response. By focusing on simplicity and maintaining a steady paddle, players can eliminate these errors and improve their overall consistency.
News in Brief: Tanner Tomassi’s Backhand Dink Tips
Professional pickleball player Tanner Tomassi shared a concise tutorial on mastering the backhand dink, emphasizing precision, preparation, and control. He advised aligning feet toward the target for accuracy and stability, setting the paddle early to avoid unnecessary motion, and using a gentle push instead of a hit or slice for a soft, controlled shot.
Tanner Tomassi highlighted common mistakes, such as last-minute adjustments that cause the ball to float, and stressed simplicity to improve consistency. His tips provide a straightforward approach for players to refine their finesse at the kitchen line, turning the backhand dink into a reliable and effective tool.
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