How to Set a 1-2 Trap for Through-the-Middle Winners

Deploy this simple bait-and-switch at the kitchen line and you'll be a middle-court menace in no time

Ever feel like you’re just stuck in a dink battle that’s going nowhere? You’re moving the ball side to side, waiting for a mistake that never comes. It’s frustrating, right?

Well, Eric Oncins, currently ranked 11th on the PPA Tour, has a solution that’ll turn you into a legitimate threat from the middle of the court.

In a recent breakdown with Tanner Tomassi, Oncins shared his blueprint for becoming dangerous when the ball sits right in the heart of the court. It’s not about hitting the ball hard; it’s about the setup and the mechanics that keep your opponents guessing.

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Setting the Trap: The Inside-Out Play Before we get into the mechanics, let’s talk strategy. Oncins points out a pattern that works about 80 percent of the time.

If you can pull off two inside-out shots in a row, you’ve essentially baited your opponents. By stretching them wide, you create a massive gap right down the middle. That’s your opening. When that middle ball comes back, it’s usually ripe for a speed-up. But you can’t just slap at it. You need a foundation. Honestly, most players miss this opportunity because they’re too upright or their feet are a mess. Here is how Oncins breaks down the execution.

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