James Ignatowich
Hey guys, this is James Ignatowich, and today we’re going to talk about the forehand dink. One of the key things I’ve worked on is making my dink look identical to my speed-up shot. When I hit my forehand inside-out dink, I set it up the exact same way as I do my forehand flip to the middle. This is crucial because if your speed-up shot mimics your dink, it becomes much easier to catch your opponent off guard.
Consistency in Form for Deception
Now, let’s break it down. This is what my forehand inside-out dink looks like (figure 1), and this is what my forehand flip to the middle speed-up looks like (figure 2). Notice how similar they appear?
The key to making that speed-up look just like the dink is not relying too much on my arm. While some speed-ups may require more arm movement, for this specific shot, I focus on keeping my wrist position identical on both shots.
The Last-Second Flip
When I choose to speed it up, I hold my wrist in the same starting position as my dink. Then, at the very last second, I flip it with my wrist. This gives my opponent minimal time to recognize whether I’m executing a dink or a speed-up, making it much harder for them to react effectively.
By mastering this subtle deception, you can keep your opponents guessing and create more opportunities to take control of the point. Keep practicing, and soon, your speed-up will blend seamlessly with your dink!
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