Improving speedups in pickleball is key for players 4.5 and above, and who better to guide us than pro pickleball player and coach, Nicholas Wade?
In this article, we’ll explore why speedups are crucial, how to practice them effectively on your own, and highlight Nicholas’ expert video demonstration.
Why Speedups Are Strategically Important
Speedups are essential in pickleball because they can quickly shift the momentum of a rally. By accelerating the ball suddenly, you catch your opponents off guard, forcing them into defensive positions and increasing your chances of winning the point.
A well-timed speedup can break the rhythm of a dink rally, creating an opportunity to score.
Who Should Practice Speedups?
Practicing speedups is crucial for advanced pickleball players. These players can use speedups as an advanced strategy to catch opponents off guard and shift rally momentum. While speedups can lead to errors, higher-level players can execute them with better accuracy and timing, reducing the risk of mistakes.
This move enhances overall gameplay and provides a strategic edge. Competitive players and those looking to break the routine of long dinking rallies will benefit greatly from incorporating speedups into their practice.
While also effective at lower levels, speedups’ strategic importance becomes more pronounced as players advance.
How to Practice Speedups Effectively?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to practicing speedups on your own:
- Hand-Feed Balls Out Wide: Start by hand-feeding balls out wide and incorporate speedups with your dinks. This helps simulate real-game scenarios and improves your control and accuracy.
- Use Targets: Place targets in the corners and down the center of the court. Aim for these targets during your practice to enhance your precision. Hitting specific spots on the court can exploit your opponents’ weaknesses and open up opportunities for winning points.
- Disguise Your Speedups: Focus on making your speedups look similar to your dinks. The key to an effective speedup is the element of surprise.
- Repetition is Key: Make sure you get plenty of repetitions in. Consistent practice is essential for mastering the technique.
- Don’t Skip the Backhand Side: Don’t forget to practice speedups on both your forehand and backhand sides.
Check out how Nicholas puts speedup practice into action:
Check out more videos and pro tips from our pickleball coaches:
- Nail the Point-Winning Forehand Flick Volley
- Pro Tips for Solo Pickleball Drills at Home
- Kitchen Line Play: Using Open and Closed Stances
Focus on Dinking First, Then Master Speedups
For medium-level players, focusing on dinking rallies is essential. To truly improve your game, honing your dinking battles will provide a solid foundation and lead to more consistent play. Don’t worry about speedups until you’ve mastered the art of dinking.
Once you reach an advanced level of 4.5 and above, start incorporating strategic speedups into your practice. By then, you’ll have the skills and control needed to execute speedups effectively and add a powerful tool to your game.
Keep practicing, stay focused, and watch your game elevate to new heights!
