For pickleball enthusiasts who thrive on strategy, The Dink Minor League Pickleball (Dink MiLP) tournaments bring out the tactical brilliance in all of us.
Ryan Luelf, the number one player in points for 2024 and the player with the most events played in Dink MiLP history, has spent years honing his strategies on the court. With 24 Dink MiLP tournaments under his belt, 17 of which resulted in a medal, Ryan’s experience shines a light on the strategic nuances of the Dink MiLP.
Here are 9 key strategies that have helped him excel throughout DUPR 16, 18, and 20 events.
#1. Pick a Fun Team
Energy is everything. The vibe of your team can make or break your tournament experience. Choosing fun, positive people to share the court with boosts team morale and performance. Of course, good play is important, but the energy your teammates bring is a critical factor in a successful run.
#2. Designate a Team Captain
Before you even step onto the court, agree on who will lead. Your team captain should be the final decision-maker and strategist. Everyone can provide input, but having one person call the shots ensures decisions are made quickly and confidently. Ryan emphasizes the importance of this after learning the hard way in previous tournaments.
Jason Flamm
#3. Choose to Receive
In rally scoring, where every point matters, the team that receives the serve gains an early advantage by starting at the kitchen line. This puts you in a more favorable position to control the point from the get-go.
#4. Strategy for a Strong Singles Team
If your team excels in singles play, pick the away team to give yourself an advantage in the Dreambreaker. This allows your players to capitalize on their strengths in the singles format.
#5. Strategy for a Weaker Singles Team
Conversely, if singles isn’t your strong suit, opt for the home team. This gives you more control in the mixed doubles matchups, allowing you to potentially win before reaching a Dreambreaker scenario.
#6. Closing Out a Match When Leading 2-0
When you’re up 2 games to zero, don’t hesitate—put your best mixed doubles team out first. Closing the door early keeps the opposing team from gaining any momentum, and prevents you from overthinking or playing conservatively by saving your best team for last.
Jason Flamm
#7. Battling Back from 0-2
If you’re down 0-2, don’t save your best for last. Lead with your strongest mixed doubles team to apply immediate pressure. Winning the first mixed match is crucial to keeping your hopes alive.
#8. Managing a 1-1 Tie
In a tie situation, team strategy becomes more nuanced. As the home team, focus on arranging your mixed teams to give you the best chance to win both matches. If you’re the away team, put your top team out first to create pressure by going up 2-1.
#9. Dreambreaker Lineup Strategy
Dreambreakers require quick, bold thinking. If you set your lineup first, arrange your players from 1-4, with the strongest singles player first. This allows your better players to rotate more frequently. However, if you react to the other team’s lineup, consider strategic matchups, especially if one of your female players can challenge a male opponent. Bold moves often pay off, and Ryan’s 70% win rate in Dreambreakers proves this. He recently went 4-1 in Dreambreakers at the Midsouth Regional Showdown, even avenging a pool play loss to claim the gold medal.
Erik Tice
Are You Ready for Your Next Dink MiLP?
With these strategies, you can up your Dink MiLP game and gain an edge in your local tournaments. Don’t miss out on your chance to compete and qualify for the National Championship—register now!
Ryan Luelf’s insights come from experience, bold decision-making, and a passion for pickleball. Take these strategies to heart; you’ll be better prepared to make your mark in The Dink Minor League Pickleball.
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