The BACKHAND Speed-Up: The Most Deadly Pickleball Shot!

 

Mastering the Backhand Topspin Speed Up

The backhand topspin speed up is an advanced pickleball technique that can give you a real edge on the court. When executed properly, this shot looks nearly identical to a backhand dink but then suddenly speeds up, catching your opponents off guard. Mastering this weapon will make your backhand much less attackable and expand your shot choices exponentially.

In this comprehensive guide, renowned pickleball instructor Danea Zeigle breaks down everything you need to know to successfully add the backhand topspin speed up to your repertoire. We'll cover proper grip, ideal swing path and follow through, common mistakes to avoid, where to aim the ball, and two essential drills to cement the mechanics. With deliberate, focused practice using Zeigle's step-by-step methodology, you'll soon be unleashing this nasty surprise on hapless opponents. So grab your paddle and let's get cracking!

1) We Need to Talk About Your Backhand (0:00) At the start of the video, Danea explains that players often avoid using their backhand out of discomfort or lack of confidence. As a result, opponents will target and attack the backhand. She stresses the importance of developing shot versatility to keep opponents guessing. 2) Versatility (0:42) Danea elaborates that you need an arsenal of backhand shots - slice, topspin, dink, lob, speed up - to prevent opponents from honing in on a weak backhand. This versatility is key to turning your backhand from a liability into a strength. 3) Backhand Topspin Speed Up Off the Bounce (1:06) Here Danea introduces the backhand topspin speed up itself. She notes it's an incredibly useful shot because it looks so similar to a dink but then zooms off the court, often catching opponents by surprise. Mastering this shot is pivotal for playing effectively up at the kitchen line. 4) Swing Mechanics (2:02) Danea moves into explaining the proper grip and mechanics for swinging a two-handed backhand. She advises placing your non-dominant hand's index finger on the paddle's "throat" with your other hand firmly on the bottom. The non-dominant hand does most of the work. 5) Swing Path (2:41) Proper swing path is vital. Start with the paddle tip facing down around the 5 o'clock position. As you make contact with the ball, sweep the paddle tip up to around 12 o'clock to put topspin on the ball. Following through upwards also generates extra topspin. 6) Follow Through (3:31) Danea demonstrates two effective follow through options: extending your arm up high after contact to whip over the top of the ball, or a more compact follow through finishing with your arm across your body. She advises trying both to see what feels most natural. 7) You Want to Make Sure You Add Topspin to This Ball (3:53) Danea explains that putting heavy topspin on the ball is crucial so that it dips down into the court rather than sailing long. Brushing up under the ball from low to high contact imparts that essential topspin. 8) Body Positioning - Athletic Stance and Really Low (5:25) One of the most common errors Danea sees players make is improper body positioning. She urges getting extremely low with knees bent and in an athletic stance, with your paddle handle even below knee level. This lets you explode upward into the ball at the ideal contact point. 9) Body Positioning - Contact Point (5:38) Danea stresses the importance of making contact with the ball directly in front of your body, between your knees. Reaching or swinging too laterally when attacking a ball will throw off your balance and timing. 10) APEX (6:49) Here Danea defines what the apex is - the highest point of the ball's bounce - and advises contacting the ball precisely as it hits that apex. That ensures you'll catch the ball at the optimal height after it comes off your opponent's paddle. 11) Two Spots to Aim: Down the Line, Down the Middle (7:17) Danea recommends aiming your speed up in one of two zones: firing it straight down your sideline to hug the line, or splitting your opponents by zipping it down the middle. Anything too extreme crosscourt will likely go long.

12) Example (7:49) Danea shows video examples of pro players Anna Leigh Waters and Lacy Schneemann using the backhand speed up to exploit gaps down the middle and work the ball behind opponents. This underscores the importance of good shot selection and setting up the put-away opportunity. 13) Drill #1 (8:19) The first drill involves cooperatively working with a partner. Take turns dinking back and forth, with you attempting 10 backhand speed ups down the line followed by 10 aimed down the middle. Focus on ideal contact point, swing mechanics, and follow-through. 14) Drill #2 (9:31) In this live ball drill, continue dinking with your partner but now only you can hit speed ups while your partner counters with dinks and blocks. Use your third shot drops and dinks to create an opening for your speed up. Simulate match play by working the ball around the court.

Summary

Mastering the backhand speed up takes work, but with a step-by-step approach to build proper mechanics through targeted drills, you can add this weapon to your repertoire. When wielded correctly, this nasty surprise shot will have opponents shaking their heads and keep them guessing every time a ball comes to your backhand. So train hard and unleash your new secret weapon out on those courts!

YouTube Time Code List

1. 0:00 We need to talk about your backhand
2. 0:42 Versatility
3. 1:06 Backhand Topspin Speed Up Off The Bounce
4. 2:02 Swing Mechanics
5. 2:26 Your non-dominant hand is doing most of the work
6. 2:41 Swing Path
7. 3:31 You want to make sure your add topspin to this ball
8. 3:53 Follow Through
9. 5:25 The Biggest Mistake
10. 5:38 Body Positioning - Athletic Stance and Really Low
11. 6:15 Body Positioning - Contact Point
12. 6:49 APEX
13. 7:17 Two Spots To Aim: Down the Line, Down the Middle
14. 7:49 Example
15. 8:19 Drill #1
16. 9:31 Drill #2