Mastering Fast Hands in Pickleball
Introduction
Having fast hand speed is critical for success in pickleball. Many beginners believe that fast hands are purely genetic or only achievable at a young age, but this is simply not true. With proper technique and targeted drills, players of all ages and ability levels can develop lightning-fast hands for the kitchen line.
In this comprehensive guide, Tanner Tomassi breaks down the ideal form top players use for developing hand speed, including proper footwork, paddle positioning, and arm mechanics. He provides step-by-step instructions for (9) essential drills you can incorporate into your training routine to react quicker, attack from transition, and gain an edge over your opponent in hands battles. Master these techniques, and you’ll be crushing balls past your opponents before they even have time to blink.
1. Proper Form - Footwork (0:27)
The foundation for developing fast hands starts with proper footwork. When engaged in a hands battle, it is critical to plant both feet flat on the ground and avoid stepping or moving onto your toes. Keeping your feet still increases reaction time, allowing you to strike the ball decisively with your arm and wrist instead of your legs or core. Practice hitting balls while consciously focusing on keeping your feet grounded and limiting extraneous movement. This stability provides a solid base to generate maximum power.
2. Paddle Positioning (0:42)
Proper paddle positioning is also vital for optimizing hand speed. You want to grip the paddle out in front with the tip of your nose looking directly through the middle of the face. Many beginners incorrectly drop the paddle too low or off to the side. Holding the paddle upright in the ready position will allow you to snap down through the ball effectively. You can check your form by imagining that you’re holding a ball securely under your armpit. This will keep the paddle in the proper striking position.
3. Arm Positioning (0:51)
In addition to footwork and paddle position, pay close attention to your arm mechanics. Imagine tucking a ball securely underneath your armpit, similar to the paddle drill. Keeping your arm tucked like this, rather than extending it straight out, will increase the angle to snap down through the ball with power on your strikes. It also gets your arm out of the way, allowing you to reload quicker for the next shot. Set up like you’re engaged in a hands battle and practice rotating cleanly between compact backhands and forehands.
4. Wrist Positioning to Hit Hard (2:31)
Generating power on your shots is all about putting your body in position to utilize the explosive snap of your wrist. When at the ready, keep your wrist cocked back preparing to fire. As the ball comes to you, snap your wrist forward, almost as if you’re throwing a punch. You will get noticeably more zip by initiating contact with this fast wrist action compared to just pushing through the ball with your arm or shoulders. After each shot, no matter how hard you swing, quickly snap your wrist back to the cocked position, ready to attack the next ball.
5. Reaction Time Drill (4:30)
One of the best ways to increase hand speed is improving how quickly you react to shots. For this simple reactive drill, start facing your partner in the kitchen line. Take one step forward and begin rallying back and forth, focusing on clean hand mechanics. After a minute or two, take a big step back out of the kitchen and continue the rally. The ball will feel like it’s moving significantly slower due to the increased distance and time to react. Get comfortable with the longer reaction time, then step back into the kitchen and your hands will feel lightning quick. This is a great pre-game warm-up to prime your reflexes.
6. Ball Under the Arm Pit Drill (5:04)
Earlier we discussed proper arm positioning, tucking your elbow back while gripping an imaginary ball. This drill enhances that positioning with a physical ball to ensure you maintain the proper hold throughout rallies. Take an actual ball and tuck it snugly under the armpit of your paddle-side arm, keeping your elbow tucked back. Rally cooperatively with your partner, focusing on using just your wrist and arm to swing through shots without dropping the ball. If executed correctly with the proper form, the ball should remain securely in place. Repeat this drill until it becomes second nature.
7. Tracking the Ball Drill (5:30)
Hand speed goes hand-in-hand with tracking ability, reading shots quickly to get your paddle in position. Set up cooperatively across the net from a partner. Take turns initiating rallies by tossing up easy lobs. When hitting the ball back, focus on moving your opponent around and striking to different targets on their side of the court. Meanwhile, they concentrate exclusively on watching the ball from contact to contact, working on paddle positioning and quick reaction time. To increase the challenge, call out targets like “backhand” or “forehand” before feeding the next ball to force your partner to react to specific difficult shots.
8. Transition Zone Attacking Drill (6:41)
Successfully attacking balls crushed at you from mid-court transition zones separates the good players from the greats. Often times a perfectly placed overhead smash leads to a weak return back into that danger zone. Simulate this scenario by cooperatively feeding balls with your drilling partner from mid-court, setting up smash shots for one another. Concentrate on exploding on these feeds with your best overhead forward-moving attacks. Your partner gets valuable reaction and defense training as well trying to return these blistering shots on the move from vulnerable court positions.
9. At Home Drill for Proper Form (7:36)
You can reinforce proper stroke mechanics and hand quickness from the convenience of your home garage or driveway. Stand approximately 1 foot away facing a practice wall, just out of arm's reach. Quickly strike balls focusing on compact, powerful wrist snaps, with immediate recovery each rep. The rapid rebounds will force you to ingrain efficient back and forth stroke patterns. Since you are close to the wall you have no time to drop or improperly position your paddle. This drill develops lightning-quick hands by maximizing repetitions in a short time frame with a emphasis on quality positioning.
Conclusion
Success in pickleball requires fast hands, but that coveted quickness depends on mastery of proper technique. By applying the footwork, paddle, arm, and wrist fundamentals covered in this guide, along with regular implementation of the reaction, transition, and tracking drills, players of all backgrounds can develop lightning-fast hands around the non-volley zone. Stay committed to quality repetition and you’ll soon be crushing and attacking balls past stunned opponents before they even realize what happened. Good luck training and let me know if this instructional guide helps take your kitchen game to the next level!
Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:27 Proper Form - Footwork 0:42 Paddle Position 0:51 Arm Positioning 2:31 Wrist Positioning to hit HARD 4:30 Reaction Time Drill 5:04 Ball under the Arm Pit Drill 5:30 Tracking the Ball Drill 6:41 Transition Zone Attacking Drill 7:36 At home Drill for Proper Form
Mastering Fast Hands in Pickleball - Quiz
1. What is the main foundation for developing fast hands in pickleball?
a) Strong shoulders
b) Proper footwork
c) A lightweight paddle
d) Youthful genetics
2. When engaged in a hands battle, you should be:
a) On your toes, ready to react
b) Shuffling side to side
c) Taking small adjustment steps
d) Planted with feet flat
3. Where should you be looking when gripping the paddle ready position?
a) Over the top of the paddle
b) Through the middle at the tip of your nose
c) Down the edge of the paddle
d) Directly at your opponent
4. Many beginners drop their paddle too low during rallies. How can you self-check your form?
a) Ensure your wrist is cocked back
b) Imagine holding a ball under your armpit
c) Keep your arm completely straight
d) Bend your elbow at a 90 degree angle
5. How does proper arm positioning give you an advantage in hands battles?
a) Allows you to generate more power
b) Gets your arm out of the way to reload quicker
c) Provides better reach toward the sidelines
d) Puts more angle on your shots
6. Where should your wrist be positioned in the ready position?
a) Straight and locked
b) Curved forward at 45 degrees
c) Relaxed and loose
d) Cocked back preparing to snap
7. The reaction time drill helps improve hand speed by:
a) Increasing mid-court attacking reps
b) Forcing you to defend hard shots
c) Making the ball feel slower initially
d) Simulating live game play
8. What is the focus of the ball under the armpit drill?
a) Keeping your eye on the ball
b) Perfect shot placement
c) Maintaining proper arm form
d) Developing soft hands
9. The tracking drill emphasizes which vital skill?
a) Explosive power
b) Paddle positioning
c) Footwork agility
d) Mental toughness
10. Why is hitting quality attacks from the transition zone important?
a) Allows you to move forward and take control
b) Sets up put-away shots at the non-volley zone
c) Separates elite talents from average players
d) Keeps your opponent on their heels
11. What aspects of form does the at home drill reinforce?
a) Proper wrist snap and recovery
b) Explosive lower body movement
c) Adjusting to shot placement
d) Developing touch shots
12. What area of the court should you avoid resetting balls during games?
a) The kitchen line
b) The transition zone
c) Near the sidelines
d) Behind the service boxes
13. During cooperative feeding drills, where should you aim returns to simulate live play?
a) Down the middle to keep things simple
b) At your partner's feet
c) Just above the height of the net
d) Around your partner's chest and midsection
14. Why is hitting quality attacks from the transition zone important?
a) It allows you to move forward and take control
b) It sets up put-away shots at the non-volley zone
c) It separates elite talents from average players
d) It keeps your opponent on their heels
15. What tennis skill translates most directly to achieving fast hands for pickleball success?
a) A blistering serve
b) Touch volleys
c) Top spin ground strokes
d) Quick reactions at net
Answer Key:
- b
- d
- b
- b
- b
- d
- c
- c
- b
- c
- a
- b
- d
- c
- d
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