Learn from a 5.5 Level Player on Executing Deceptive and Strategic Speed Ups
Speeding up balls off the bounce is an essential offensive skill in pickleball that allows you to aggressively attack the ball and catch your opponent off guard. However, it's a technique that requires precision, strategy, and deception to perform effectively.
In this comprehensive instructional guide, 5.5 rated pickleball player Tanner Tomassi shares his top tips and tricks for developing speed ups that will help you dominate games. You'll learn all about shot mechanics, where to aim your hits, how to disguise your speed ups, and drills to practice. With over 10 key topics covered, by the end of this guide you'll have all the knowledge and skills to perform speed ups like a pro.
Equipped with Tanner's advice on ground rules, shot form, target zones, and more, you'll be able to incorporate speed ups seamlessly into your repertoire. You'll also discover how to couple speed ups with complementary techniques like held dinks to heighten their deceptiveness. So read on to uncover the secrets behind mastering the speed up!
- Speed Up "Ground Rules" (0:10)
The first key thing to note about speed ups is that you should only perform them when you have full control of the ball. Tanner advises to never speed up balls that are sharply coming in at your feet or paddle. You want to attack balls that are sitting up dead in ideal positions. He also emphasizes the importance of always keeping your paddle tilted downwards rather than sideways during dinks. This disguises whether you'll speed up the ball or continue dinking.
"we never want to speed up if a Ball's coming and we have to attack it from back here we only want to attack balls that we're in control of...paddle tip should never be sideways it should always be dropped this gives us disguise on is it going to be a speed up is it going to be a dink"
- "Holding" Dinks (1:01)
One way to set up effective speed ups is through a technique Tanner calls "held dinks". This involves deliberately holding or hesitating on slow incoming dinks rather than immediately returning them. After holding the dink for a brief moment, you can then choose to dink again normally, play an aggressive dink, or speed up the ball. This disrupts the regular dinking rhythm, causing opponents to freeze up.
"when a slow dink is coming at me I'm not going to rush to hit it back if you have time in pickle ball you want to capitalize on that time and keep it on your side as long as possible...this is how you break rhythm of normal dinking patterns and cause your opponents to freeze"
- The Form of Hitting a Speed Up (2:44)
Proper form is vital to ensure your speed ups land in the court. Tanner emphasizes using an "all brush" motion rather than hitting at the ball. Keep your paddle tilted down and whip your wrist as if you're a windshield wiper to put backspin on the ball. Imagine the opponent isn't there and focus on simply trying to make the placement. This will prevent overhitting from nerves or excitement.
"I'm simply whipping my wrist like this...it's very important that you're not hitting to the ball at all like this and you're only brushing up the back like a windshield wiper...pretend that the players aren't even there and you're trying to make the shot"
- Places to Attack (3:45)
Aim your speed ups for these prime targets:
- Wide: Players can't generate power when stretched out wide
- Paddle-side shoulder: Puts opponent in awkward position
- Paddle-side hip: Also an awkward ball location
- Avoid non-dominant shoulder and mid-chest as those are "money spots"
"there's three spots that we're going to be focusing on first one out wide...next spot is their paddle side shoulder...lastly the paddle side hip...main spot we want to avoid is their non-dominant side shoulder"
- Learn the "Body Bag" Speed Up (5:58)
The "body bag" speed up is another great option to mix in. After normal dinking, aggressively attack any dead balls landing between your legs up high towards your opponent's chest. This disguises the change of pace since there's continuous movement involved. Just don't aim for the face!
"we're just going to do a normal Dink and then attack it really hard high at the person's chest...if the ball's coming and I and hit it it really disguises it...obviously I'm never trying to hurt anybody I'm aiming for here I would never aim for somebody face"
- Holding Dinks Drill (7:33)
Get comfortable identifying which balls to hold vs. dink normally in a split second. Alternate hitting held dinks and normal dinks, capitalizing on any slow, neutralized shots. The ability to make this decision quickly is key.
"We need to be able to tell which one to hold which one to hit normal in a split second"
- Speed Up Drill (7:58)
Practice speed ups after held dinks to work on selling the deception and testing if your opponent reads it. After holding the first dink, speed up the next ball and see if you can catch your partner by surprise. Then play out the point.
"Okay so I hold now the next one's coming - got her...and then you can play out the point"
- The Dink Game (8:27)
Put all your skills together by playing games to 20 points starting from the kitchen line. Everything counts, so even faults lose you points. Use held dinks, speed ups, attacking shots - whatever you want. This develops game sense and strategy.
"we're going to play games to 20 and we're going to play best two out of three...if I serve the ball into the net it's a point for Francesca...you can speed up whenever it puts everything into action"
- Peripheral Vision Drill (9:25)
While holding dinks, train yourself to watch your opponent's positioning in your peripheral vision. In this partner drill, after your partner feeds a dead dink they'll place their paddle in a random spot. You must speed up to the furthest point away from their paddle without taking your eyes completely off the ball.
"she's going to stick her paddle in a random location and I have to attack the farthest point possible from it...my job to hold the dink see the paddle and hit it to the furthest point"
- Inclusive Guide Summary (324 words)
In this extensive guide, professional 5.5 level pickleball player Tanner Tomassi revealed his top speed up strategies for dominating opponents with deception and aggression. By starting with key ground rules only speeding up controlled balls, you ensure higher execution. Tanner then covered how held dinks disrupt pacing, enabling sneak attack speed ups.
Proper form was analyzed - use an all brush, windshield wiper motion imagining no opponent there. When attacking, target weak spots like the paddle hip or blast body bag speed ups up the chest. Drills build skills too: held dink intervals, deceptive speed ups after holds, full games from the kitchen line. Plus, peripheral vision drills attune awareness.
The compilation of Tanner's elite techniques, decision making mentalities, tactical shot patterns, and focused training equip you to perform pro-level speed ups. Mixing held dinks and aggressive attacks keep adversaries guessing while strategic targeting and controlled swings optimize success. With this guide's knowledge, executing deceptive, court-stretching speed ups will become second nature.
So next time you have a comfortable ball, don't just dink - unleash your newfound speed up prowess to grab the edge!
- 0:00 Intro
- 0:10 Speed up "Ground Rules"
- 1:01 "Holding" Dinks
- 2:44 The Form of Hitting a Speed Up
- 3:45 Places to Attack
- 5:58 Learn the "Body Bag" Speed Up
- 7:33 Holding Dinks Drill
- 7:58 Speed Up Drill
- 8:27 The Dink Game
- 9:25 Peripheral Vision Drill
Mastering the Speed Up Quiz
1. According to Tanner, when should you avoid trying to execute a speed up?
a) When the opponent hits a low bouncing dink b) When you have to stretch or scramble to reach the ball c) After you've held 2-3 dinks in a row d) When the opponents are caught off guard
2. What is the recommended paddle position when dinking to help disguise potential speed ups?
a) Paddle pointing sideways b) Paddle tilted downwards c) Paddle tilted upwards d) Paddle held in mid air
3. What is the purpose of "holding" dinks?
a) To rest between shots b) To disrupt the regular dinking rhythm c) To set up an offensive shot d) To catch your breath
4. When hitting a speed up, you should use which technique?
a) A flat drive b) A quick wrist snap c) An all arm swing d) An all brush windshield wiper motion
5. Which area should you AVOID targeting with your speed up?
a) The paddle side hip b) The non-dominant shoulder c) Mid chest d) Wide crosscourt
6. What is unique about the "body bag" speed up?
a) It's aimed at the chest
b) It's hit after a normal dink
c) It disguises the change of pace
d) All of the abovea) It's aimed at the chest
7. The holding dinks drill helps develop which skill?
a) Deception b) Shot consistency c) Decision making d) Endurance
8. What is the purpose of the speed up drill?
a) To practice form b) To test if you can deceive your opponent c) To tire out your opponent d) To learn restraint
9. In the dink game, what earns your opponent a point?
a) Any of your mistakes b) Only their winner shots c) Only speed ups they hit for winners d) Only held dinks they appropriately attack
10. The peripheral vision drill trains which ability?
a) Agility b) Deception c) Awareness d) Accuracy
11. During the peripheral drill, how do you choose where to aim your speed up?
a) At your opponent's feet b) At open spaces on the court c) The furthest point from where your opponent places their paddle d) Just over the non-volley zone
12. What overall game skill does the dink game drill develop most?
a) Shot depth and placement b) Deception tactics c) Match strategy and decision making d) Consistent dinking
13. How does Tanner recommend progressing skill level in pickleball?
a) Lessons with a certified coach b) Training against better players c) Practicing drills focused on weaknesses d) Watching videos from higher level players
14. What 3 areas make up the keys to mastering speed ups off the bounce?
a) Precision, spin, placement b) Timing, quickness, disguise c) Strategy, deception, execution d) Form, target selection, practice
15. Which broad skill do effective held dinks and speed ups require?
a) Anticipation b) Flexibility c) Strength d) Aggression
Answer Key:
- b
- b
- b
- d
- b
- d
- c
- b
- a
- c
- c
- c
- d
- d
- a
i especially enjoy tanner’s videos. he is so convincing and his demonstrations show his accuracy. i love that he has his mom fill in when his partner got cold!!!
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