Hey everyone, Sarah Ansboury here! Let’s talk about offensive dinking and how better positioning can help you take control at the net. One of the biggest mistakes I see players make is getting too square to the net, which leads to poor contact points and unnecessary movement.
The Problem with Squaring Up
When you’re too square to the net, the natural reaction is to move sideways with the ball. This often causes players to let the ball drift too far behind them, making it harder to stay in control. Once the ball gets behind you, your options become limited—you’ll likely end up flicking your wrist or making a last-second adjustment, which leads to inconsistency.
Cutting Off the Corners
Instead of letting the ball get behind you, think about cutting off the corners. Imagine a little zone you do not want your paddle or the ball to go past. Keeping the ball in front of you is the key to maintaining control and setting up an effective shot.
Foot Positioning for Offensive Dinking
Your feet determine your positioning, and that starts with your inside foot.
- If you’re dinking crosscourt, your inside foot should be slightly open toward your opponent.
- This alignment keeps your hips and body facing the right direction, helping you keep the ball in front.
- With your weight on your inside foot, you’re naturally set up for a clean, controlled contact point in front of your body.
Eliminating Extra Movement
Too many players move more than necessary when dinking. Instead of constantly shifting side to side, focus on:
✅ Keeping your paddle face lined up with your target.
✅ Letting your body engage rather than relying on your wrist.
✅ Using your weight shift to generate power and disguise shots.
When you get square and chase every ball, you burn out your knees, lose power, and struggle to control the direction of your shots. Instead, by positioning properly and cutting off the corners, you can dink offensively with less effort and more control.
Next Time You’re on the Court…
Pay attention to how you position your feet and whether you’re keeping the ball in front of you. With these small adjustments, you’ll be able to maintain better balance, disguise your shots, and stay in control of every dink.
See you on the courts! 👊
