You’ve probably seen it before—quick flick, no backswing, and bam, the point’s over.
It’s fast. It’s subtle. It’s brutally effective.
And no one really talks about it.
We’re talking about the windshield wiper attack—a deceptive little move that can keep your speed-ups low, your errors down, and your opponents completely off balance.
Let’s break it down. Because this isn’t just about style. It’s about control, timing, body mechanics, and smart aggression.
What Is the Windshield Wiper Attack?
Imagine a car’s windshield wiper.
Now imagine your paddle moving the same way: low to high, across your body, in a tight, controlled arc—without a big backswing, without a full follow-through, and without telegraphing your intentions.
That’s the windshield wiper attack.
It’s not about hitting hard—it’s about speeding up smart. Instead of driving through the ball, you’re brushing up and across it, using wrist and forearm to generate a flick with minimal forward motion.
Hear how top players break it down:
Think of it as a hybrid between a speed-up and a misdirection shot.
Short stroke. Quick contact. Fast results.
Why It Works
The beauty of the windshield wiper isn’t power—it’s precision and disguise.
- You don’t overswing, so the ball stays in.
- You don’t telegraph the shot, so your opponent is caught flat-footed.
- You control the direction and spin, so the shot feels effortless, but lands sharp.
- You keep your paddle close to your body, which means faster recovery for the next shot.
And maybe most importantly—it just feels good. That snap. That surprise. That moment when your opponent realizes the ball’s already past them.
Yeah, that’s the good stuff.
When to Use the Windshield Wiper (and When Not To)
Like any good tool, it’s all about using it in the right moment.
✅ Best Situations to Use It:
- At the kitchen line during fast hands exchanges
- On a slightly high dink that sits up just enough to flick
- When your opponent is leaning forward, expecting a soft dink
- When you want to speed up without giving it away
- Against players who bite on every motion—the ones who jump the second they see your paddle move
🚫 When Not to Use It:
- On low balls (you’ll pop it up)
- When you’re off balance or stretched out
- When you’re too far back from the net—this is a close-range tactic
- Against players who are already baiting you to speed up (they’ll be ready)
The Mechanics: How to Do It Right
Let’s talk form.
- No backswing. No big windup.
Your paddle should stay in front of your body the entire time. - Use your wrist and forearm, not your whole arm.
The stroke is short, tight, and snappy—just like a windshield wiper. - Brush up and across the ball.
You’re not pushing forward—you’re slicing the ball like you’re flicking water off your paddle. - Aim low, target the chest or paddle shoulder
You’re not going for the winner. You’re going for the setup. And if it does end the point, even better.
Watch Coach Danea from All Things Pickleball break it down in this quick video:
How to Practice the Windshield Wiper Attack
You can’t just throw this into a game cold—it’s a feel-based shot, and it takes reps.
Try these drills with a partner:
🔁 Dink Flick Drill: Start dinking. Every few shots, flick one with the windshield wiper motion. Your partner resets, and you rotate roles.
🔁 No Backswing Game: Play a half-court game where neither player can use a full backswing. Forces you to learn compact mechanics—perfect for windshield wiper timing.
🔁 Shadow Swings: In front of a mirror or wall, practice the low-to-high arc. Keep your paddle in front of your chest. Focus on wrist snap, not arm swing.
Why It’s Not Just a Flashy Trick
At first glance, this shot might seem like a flashy move you’d try in one of those “why not” rec games.
But the more you drill it, the more you’ll realize: This isn’t just for style. It’s for control.
It keeps your shots in. It keeps you balanced. And it lets you win points without swinging for the fences.
It’s subtle.
It’s sharp.
And when used at the right time?
It’s absolutely deadly.
Add It to the Toolkit
The windshield wiper attack won’t be your go-to on every ball. It’s situational, a little advanced, and takes some practice to master.
But when it clicks? You’ll see opponents freeze. You’ll feel the ball jump off your paddle. And you’ll start to win hand battles you used to lose.
So next time you’re at the kitchen, don’t always go big. Sometimes, a flick is all it takes.
And trust us—once you get that flick dialed in? You’ll never look at a dink the same way again.
