Fixing your forehand dinks

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This video, featuring professional player Zack Marceau, demonstrates and explains his signature forehand roll dink shot.

Zack highlights the significant benefits of this shot, emphasizing its ability to create pressure, dictate play from the net, and effectively disguise speedups while maintaining rally control.

He differentiates his preferred roll from a slice, explaining that the roll is used for dictating play with neutral balls, aiming between the opponent's feet or hard outside to open up the court.

The video details two types of forehand rolls: a "hard roll" for players who step back from the kitchen, and a "soft roll" for those who reach into the kitchen, aiming for a shallower, spinnier shot.

Zack provides clear instructions on how to hit the shot, emphasizing the use of topspin to land the ball in the kitchen, avoiding excessive wrist movement, and maintaining a 45-degree angle for topspin application.

Crucial footwork advice includes staying on the balls of your feet to move around the ball and "cornering the ball" by getting it in front of you.

Key Points:

  • Roll vs. Slice: Use the roll to dictate play, while the slice neutralizes speed-ups.

  • Two Roll Types: Master the "hard roll" for deep kitchen shots and the "soft roll" for shallower, spinnier dinks.

  • Execution: Focus on topspin, minimal wrist movement, and a 45-degree paddle angle.

  • Footwork: Stay on the balls of your feet and "corner the ball" by getting it in front.

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Happy pickling,

Paul