Callie Jo Smith’s Tips for Crushing Wide Pickleball Dinks: Professional pickleball player Callie Jo Smith shared expert advice on Instagram about how to return wide dinks, a challenging shot for many players. In a new video, Smith broke down three key techniques to improve footwork and shot placement when pulled wide off the court. Smith explained that to return wide dinks effectively, players should focus on getting their feet in position quickly, using techniques like the crab walk or cross-over step.
“You’re really trying to get your feet in position so that your paddle can be in front of the ball if possible.” – (Callie Jo Smith)
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Techniques for Wide Dinks
Smith outlined several strategies to handle wide dinks:
- Get the feet in place: Use the crab walk or crossover step to position oneself quickly.
- Short dinks: Focus on keeping the dink short to stay balanced.
- Hit down the line: If there’s no Ernie threat, aim for a short dink down the line, making it easier for the partner to cover the middle.
Smith also emphasized the importance of not trying to hit offensive shots when off-balance. If the players try to go deep while reaching for the ball, they are likely to leave an opening for the opponents to attack.
Mastering the Return
Smith demonstrated how to dink effectively while being pulled wide.
“If you get pulled out wide, short is a great option because it’s most likely going to come back to you.” – (Callie Jo Smith)
If there’s a potential Ernie threat, she recommends moving toward the middle to avoid getting caught off guard. By following these tips, players can maintain control of the game, even when forced out of position, and keep pressure on their opponents.
News in Brief: Callie Jo Smith’s Tips for Crushing Wide Pickleball Dinks
Callie Jo Smith, a pro pickleball player, shared expert advice on returning wide dinks in a new Instagram video. She emphasized the importance of quick footwork, using techniques like the crab walk or crossover step to position the feet.
Smith recommended keeping the dink short and aiming down the line when possible. She also warned against attempting offensive shots while off-balance and highlighted the need to adjust for potential Ernie threats. Her tips help players maintain control and pressure during tough situations.
Readers Queries
1. How to improve dinking in pickleball?
- Always dink from your front.
- Clear the net with room to spare.
- Dink volley whenever you can.
- Create pressure on your opponent.
- Force a dead dink.
2. How to stop popping up dinks pickleball?
One of the most common causes of popped up dinks is flicking the wrist through the swing, on both the forehand and backhand sides. The wrist is a very small muscle, and it accelerates very quickly. To stop the ball from popping up, focus on keeping your wrist locked in position and dinking by raising your shoulder
ALSO READ: Callie Jo Smith’s Simple Grip Tip to Improve Your Control and Precision