Callie Jo Smith’s Simple Pickleball Posture Tip: Pro pickleball player Callie Jo Smith took to Instagram to share a fundamental tip for improving one of the sport’s most important shots—the dink. Through a detailed video demonstration, Smith highlighted the critical role posture plays in maintaining consistency and control during rallies at the net. Her insights resonated with players of all levels, offering actionable advice for avoiding common mistakes and refining technique.
The Challenge: Standing Tall Leads to Errors
Callie Jo Smith began her post by identifying a frequent mistake many players make while dinking—standing up or lifting their chest too early. This habit, she explained, disrupts control and often results in balls landing in the net or flying off-target.
“If you feel like you’re missing easy dinks, I would bet this is the reason why!” Callie Jo Smith stated, emphasizing that proper positioning is often overlooked as a key to success in pickleball.
In her video, Callie Jo Smith demonstrated how lifting her chest too soon caused her shots to lose precision. Conversely, maintaining a low, athletic posture helped her execute dinks with greater consistency and confidence.
The Solution: Staying Low and Balanced
To address this issue, Callie Jo Smith stressed the importance of staying low through the shot. Keeping the knees bent and the chest down creates a stable base, allowing players to maintain control and keep the ball low over the net.
“When I’m missing, I tend to lift my body up too early. By staying down in my knees and keeping my chest down, my dinks stay lower and more consistent.” – (Callie Jo Smith)
This posture not only improves accuracy but also enhances defensive readiness, enabling players to react more effectively to their opponent’s returns.
A Clear Comparison: The Impact of Posture
Callie Jo Smith’s video provided a side-by-side comparison of dinking while standing upright versus staying in an athletic position. In the upright stance, her dinks lacked control and often misfired into the net. When she maintained a low, balanced posture, her shots were smoother, more precise, and better positioned for follow-up plays.
This visual demonstration showed the stark difference proper form can make in the heat of competition. It also highlighted the value of staying disciplined in movement and positioning throughout the rally.
Encouraging Awareness in the Pickleball Community
Callie Jo Smith’s post struck a chord with recreational and competitive players alike, sparking discussions about the importance of body positioning in pickleball. Her advice invites players to reflect on their habits, particularly when dealing with unforced errors at the net.
Her closing remark—“Send this to someone who might struggle with this”—encouraged players to share the tip with others, fostering a sense of collaboration and learning within the pickleball community.
News in Brief: Callie Jo Smith’s Simple Pickleball Posture Tip
Pro pickleball player Callie Jo Smith shared a valuable tip for improving the dink shot, emphasizing the importance of posture. Smith highlighted a common mistake—lifting the chest too early—which disrupts control and accuracy. In her video, she demonstrated how staying low and balanced with bent knees helps maintain consistency and keep the ball low over the net.
Callie Jo Smith’s side-by-side comparison of upright versus athletic posture showed the impact of proper form. Her advice resonated with players of all levels, encouraging better positioning and reducing errors. The video serves as a reminder to focus on posture for improved gameplay.