Here’s something pros do at the kitchen line that you might not even notice:

They use one dink to set up their next attack.

When they get a “dead dink,” one that sits up with little pace or spin, they don’t rush to hit it back.

Instead, they’ll pause with their paddle tip down under the ball, making it look like they might speed up. It also disguises where the attack might come from.

Then they watch their opponent.

Does their opponent shade toward their forehand? Sit on the backhand counter? Do they move their paddle to protect their body?

That reaction gives them information.

The next time they get a similar ball, they already know where to attack.

Everyone has tendencies when they’re anticipating a speedup. The pros notice those habits and use them to find openings.

Try this next time you play: Show an attack, hit a dink, and watch what your opponent does.

You might find the opening for your next speedup before you even hit it.

Here’s this week’s video:

See ya next week!

-Tanner