'Cornering the Ball': The Real Reason Your Dinks Pop Up

'Cornering the Ball': The Real Reason Your Dinks Pop Up

Ever wonder why pros look like they have so much time? It's not some secret technique. It's footwork, positioning, and the willingness to move their feet instead of extending their arm.

Tired of your dinks sailing up when you're stretched out at the kitchen line? Join the club.

Turns out, the issue isn't as much about your touch as it is about your feet.

In a new video , APP pro Richard Livornese Jr. breaks down a concept he calls "cornering the ball," a footwork principle that separates players who consistently keep dinks low from those who are constantly fighting pop-ups.

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The Stretch Dink Problem Nobody Talks About Most players think pop-ups happen solely because they lack touch or finesse. Livornese argues that's only part of the story. The real culprit is hitting the ball outside your feet, what he calls the "stretch dink."

When your arm extends beyond your body, you lose control over the small adjustments that keep errors at bay. You're forced to rely on wrist snaps or arm strength, which makes applying spin nearly impossible and makes the shot harder to control overall. Think about it this way: when your paddle is six inches to a foot outside your chest, your shoulder feels uncomfortable, right? That same principle applies at the kitchen line. Hitting from that extended position puts you in a mechanically disadvantaged spot, and your body kn... FULL ARTICLE FOUND ON: https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/cornering-the-ball-the-real-reason-your-dinks-pop-up/

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