Learn the Perfect Pickleball SPEED UP: How To Catch Your Opponent Off Guard

Summary

In this informative video, the focus is on mastering speed ups in pickleball to gain a competitive edge over friends on the court. The episode emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities when opponents are off-guard or the ball is in a high position. Through drills and game scenarios, the video demonstrates effective strategies for increasing speed and accuracy, highlighting the value of low, directed shots to keep opponents on their toes and potentially score points. The key takeaway is to use speed ups not only to score directly but also to create chances for subsequent winning shots.

Takeaways

• 🏓 Speeding up the ball is an essential strategy to beat opponents in pickleball, even for those who prefer dinking.
• 🛑 When an opponent is out of their ready position with their paddle down, it's an opportune moment to speed up the ball.
• 🎯 Targeting the opponent's paddle arm, shoulder, or chicken arm can put them in a very uncomfortable position.
• 💡 Speeding up the ball can create opportunities for subsequent shots, even if the first one doesn't result in a direct win.
• 👟 In a game scenario, start with a deep serve, followed by a deep return, and then move to the kitchen line for dinking.
• 🏐 Dinking battles help to keep the ball low and force opponents into uncomfortable positions.
• 🏆 When the ball is popped up high, use that chance to speed up and aim low at your opponent's feet.
• 🤸‍♂️ Speeding up off the bounce is a challenging skill that can catch opponents off guard.
• 🚫 Avoid hitting the ball too hard and high as experienced players may retreat and let it pass.
• 🎱 Keep your speed ups low and directed towards the opponents to maintain pressure and potentially score points.
• 🥳 Practice makes perfect; engaging in drills and game situations can improve your ability to effectively speed up and crush your friends on the pickleball court.

Q & A

What is the main focus of this episode of 'How to crush your friends out on the pickleball court'?

The main focus of this episode is to teach strategies on how to effectively use speed ups in pickleball to gain an advantage over your opponents.

Why are speed ups considered a necessary part of the game according to the transcript?

Speed ups are considered a necessary part of the game because they help players beat their opponents by putting the ball away when opponents pop it up or are in an uncomfortable position.

What is the speaker's personal preference in playing style?

The speaker admits to being a 'dinker' rather than a 'banger', meaning they prefer to play with more finesse and control rather than relying on power shots.

What is the term used in the transcript to describe a situation where an opponent's paddle is not ready to defend?

The term used is 'chicken arm', which refers to when an opponent's paddle is down and they are unable to defend a certain area effectively.

How can players use a high ball to their advantage according to the video?

When a ball is left high above the net, players can use this opportunity to speed up the ball and put it away, targeting the opponent's paddle arm, shoulder, or other uncomfortable positions.

What is the purpose of the drill demonstrated in the video?

The purpose of the drill is to practice keeping the ball low to the net, moving opponents around, and learning to speed up the ball when it is popped up high or when an opponent is not in a ready position.

Why is it important to keep attacks and speed ups low to the net?

Keeping attacks and speed ups low to the net makes it more difficult for opponents to defend and increases the chances of winning the point, as higher shots can be easily let go past the baseline.

What advice is given for players who are trying to master speed ups?

The advice given is to practice speed ups targeting the opponent's paddle arm or shoulder, and to be prepared to follow up with a second shot if the first speed up does not win the point.

How can players improve their readiness and defense in the game?

Players can improve their readiness and defense by maintaining a proper ready position with their paddle up and being prepared to react quickly to speed ups and other shots from their opponents.

What is the ultimate goal of using speed ups in pickleball?

The ultimate goal of using speed ups is to put opponents in uncomfortable positions, create opportunities for winning points, and ultimately crush them on the pickleball court.

Outlines

00:00

🏓 Pickleball Strategy: Speed Ups and Dinking

This paragraph introduces the topic of using speed ups in pickleball to outplay friends on the court. It emphasizes the importance of speed ups as a necessary part of the game, despite the speaker's personal preference for dinking. The speaker explains that speed ups are effective when opponents are out of their ready position or when the ball is left high above the net. The paragraph details a drill involving dinking and taking advantage of high balls to practice speed ups. It also discusses the concept of 'chicken arm', a vulnerable position created when attacking an opponent's paddle arm and shoulder. The goal is to use speed ups to create opportunities and finish with a drop shot or a shot directed at the opponent.

05:03

🏓 Game Scenarios and Speed Up Execution

This paragraph focuses on applying the discussed strategies in game situations. It describes a series of exchanges between players, highlighting the moments when speed ups can be effectively used. The speaker provides examples of how to react when the ball is left high and how to maintain a ready position to counter opponents' speed ups. The paragraph also touches on the importance of keeping attacks low and directed towards the opponent to maintain the advantage. The speaker shares a game scenario where a high ball is used to set up a speed up, and emphasizes the need to be prepared for a follow-up shot if the initial speed up does not result in a winner.

Keywords

💡Pickleball

Pickleball is a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, played with a paddle and a plastic ball. In the context of the video, it is the central activity where friends compete against each other on the court, aiming to improve their skills and outperform their opponents.

💡Speed ups

Speed ups refer to the act of hitting the ball with more force to increase its speed, making it more challenging for the opponent to return. In pickleball, speed ups are an essential part of the game strategy, used to put opponents in uncomfortable positions and create opportunities for winning points.

💡Dinking

Dinking is a strategy in pickleball where players hit the ball softly and low over the net, aiming to keep it close to the kitchen line (the area near the net). This tactic is used to move opponents around and put them in disadvantageous positions, making it difficult for them to effectively return the ball.

💡Kitchen line

The kitchen line in pickleball refers to an imaginary line near the net, behind which players typically stand during play. It is a strategic area where players position themselves to effectively dink and return low balls, using it to their advantage to control the flow of the game.

💡Paddle

A paddle is the equipment used in pickleball to hit and control the ball. It is a lightweight, flat, and round piece of equipment typically made of wood or composite materials. Proper use and positioning of the paddle are crucial for effective play and scoring points in the game.

💡Chicken arm

Chicken arm is a term used in pickleball to describe a situation where a player's arm is extended awkwardly away from their body, often due to an opponent's well-placed shot. This position is uncomfortable and makes it difficult for the player to effectively return the ball, giving the attacker an advantage.

💡Forehand

In pickleball, a forehand is a shot played with the paddle in the same direction as the arm's natural swinging motion. It is a powerful and common stroke used to speed up the ball or execute attacks, although it may be challenging to master, especially for beginners.

💡Drill

A drill in the context of pickleball is a structured practice exercise designed to improve specific skills or techniques. Drills often involve repetitive actions to help players refine their gameplay and become more proficient in certain aspects of the sport.

💡Deep serve

A deep serve in pickleball is a type of serve that sends the ball far into the opponent's court, aiming to put immediate pressure on the receiver and make it difficult for them to return the ball effectively. This tactic can set the tone for the point and give the server an advantage.

💡Net

The net in pickleball is a crucial part of the court that separates the two sides and dictates the height and trajectory of the ball during play. Players must navigate around the net strategically, using it to their advantage to create angles and control the pace of the game.

💡Baseline

The baseline in pickleball is the furthest back line of the court, from which players serve and return high shots. It is a reference point for players when positioning themselves and gauging the depth of their shots, with the aim of controlling the court and placing the ball in advantageous locations.

Highlights

The introduction of the sixth episode of the series on how to excel at pickleball.

The acknowledgment that speed is not the preferred style for the speaker, but it is necessary to win games.

The strategy of using dinking to move opponents around the kitchen line to make them uncomfortable and pop the ball up.

The importance of capitalizing on moments when the opponent's paddle is not in a ready position.

Identifying high balls above the net as prime opportunities to speed up and attack the opponent.

Targeting the opponent's paddle arm, shoulder area, which creates the 'chicken arm' position, making defense difficult.

Starting with speed ups as a recommended strategy to improve in pickleball.

The drill involving a dinking battle with a partner, focusing on keeping the ball low and capitalizing on high balls.

The technique of speeding up the ball off a bounce as a way to catch opponents off guard.

The concept that speed ups are not only for winning the point but also for creating opportunities for subsequent shots.

The approach of hitting deep serves, deep returns, and using dinking to put opponents in uncomfortable positions.

The strategy of speeding up when the ball is left high or when opponents are not in a ready position with their paddle.

The game situation demonstration showing how to use the discussed strategies in an actual pickleball match.

The advice to keep speed ups low to the net and directed at opponents to increase the chances of winning the point.

The emphasis on maintaining a ready position to effectively respond to speed ups and other shots.

The encouragement to practice speed ups and other techniques to crush friends on the pickleball court.

Transcripts

I'm here to teach you how to crush your

friends out on the pickleball

court welcome back to episode six of how

to crush your friends out on the pickle

ball court in this episode we're going

to be talking about speed up not a

personal favorite of mine I have to

admit I am definitely a dinker and not a

banger however speedups are necessary

part of the game to beat your opponents

okay in the last episode we talked about

dinking and making sure to move your

opponents around at the kitchen line

when you move your opponents around at

the kitchen line it will cause them to

be in uncomfortable positions and they

will be popping the ball up when they

pop Pop the ball up you definitely want

to put that ball away however sometimes

you may be in a scenario where you

notice that your opponent does not have

their ready position up therefore their

paddle is not up and ready to defend

attacks their paddle is down if there's

ever a situation where you see your

opponent's paddle down that's a great

time for you to attack and speed up the

ball other times to attack and speed up

the ball are like we said when the ball

is is left up high above the net if the

ball's left high above the net you're

able to get a great position in to

attack your opponent okay one great spot

to attack your opponent is their paddle

arms shoulder okay if you attack that

paddle arm shoulder you put them in a

very uncomfortable position and it's

called the chicken arm okay they are

unable to defend this area so whenever

I'm telling somebody to start with their

speed UPS that's a great place to start

to crush your friend

out on the pickleball court a great way

for you to crush your friends on the

pickleball court is with speed UPS

here's a drill to help grab a partner I

have Teresa on the other side we're

going to be straight up in front of each

other we're just going to get into a

little bit of a dinking battle here so

I'm going to drop the ball we're going

to make sure we're moving each other

around okay remember we're dinking low

to the kitchen when I have a chance woo

very nice

Teresa

wo okay very good so point of this drill

is we're keeping the ball low to the net

okay if they ever Pop It Up High okay

Teresa just give me a little bit of a

high ball and I I'll hit it back at you

one more time hi okay we want to speed

that ball up if the ball's High I want

to hit it low at her feet in the

scenario where she doesn't hit a high

ball and we're just dinking back and

forth okay I can always speak speed up

the ball off of the bounce okay one of

the harder things to do I definitely

don't have it Mastered by

any sense of the imagination however I

am able to speed up off my forehand okay

it was a little too low and that's why

it went into the net but a great way for

you to catch your opponents off guard

they may be able to defend these dinks

right CU they're not that penetrating I

don't have too much speed in my dinks

which you probably don't if you are a

beginner trying to crush your friends

out in the pickleball court however that

ball is ever held up great okay you

might not always finish that first speed

up but speedups are also to create

opportunities off the back of speedups

so that was a great scenario where I

sped the ball up at Teresa she was able

to block it but it actually gave me an

ability to hit that third one down below

at her feet because you know when you're

sped up on you might not be always able

to place the ball where you want and get

another drop shot back into the kitchen

so speed up the ball if you don't get a

winner off that first one prepare for it

on that second one and put it away and

that's how you can crush your friends

out on the pickle ball court with

speedups all right we just learned a

great drill for you to learn how to do

speed UPS to crush your friends out on

the pickleball court now let's bring

that into a game situation back to the

basics we're going with a first deep

serve deep return turn third shot drop

to get to the kitchen line we're then

going to dink the ball put our opponents

into uncomfortable positions by moving

the ball around when we get that

opportunity where the ball sits a little

bit High we're going to speed up or if

we see that our friends over there are

not in a ready position with their

paddle up on the 11 handle mark on the

clock okay so either scenario that's our

go or their go to attack us with a speed

up so here we go deep

serve deep turn woo nice

wo nice

return okay Jamie Sue's out here

crushing me on the court deep

serve deep return

nice nice third shot drop and we get to

that kitchen line now here is the

chance we are going to dink around great

try deep return short return yes

okay here we go lad to

the nice great job so Teresa left that a

little bit up Clint was able to attack

me with a speed up there and I was

unable to get that ball down back into

the kitchen we'll do one more deep

serve deep

return nice woo too

high yay

Lu all right let's do a couple scenarios

where we're just all at the kitchen line

we'll dink around a little bit okay and

then if a ball is left

High let's try to speed it up at our

opponent always back into ready

position nice very well done woo that's

a good dink dink really good dink I

probably shouldn't have stepped off that

line

woo there she goes okay the ball was

left a little high she went right down

the middle awesome very

nice

good always in that ready

position here we

go it's a really good dink

yeah okay last

one just to show it the balls what we're

really waiting for here is a ball that's

left up high okay or bounces High okay

that's a really good one to attack very

nice I'm going to settle it down again

bring it back into neutral here we go

last

couple very good all right so

that was a great example of how to speed

up you saw a bunch of us take the

opportunity when the ball was left up

high to speed it up at our opponents the

one thing that you don't want to do is

hit the ball super hard okay and high

because in that scenario your friends

who are probably around the same range

as you they might start to get a little

Savvy and just back away and let that

ball go past the Baseline so keep your

attacks and your speed UPS low to the

net right directed sort of out your

opponents maybe you want to bag them I

don't know I personally definitely want

to bag my friends all the time which

means you hit them with the ball okay I

just smashed Clint in the in his abs

right you want to make sure that your

speed ups are low and maybe direct it at

them that's how you crush your friends

on the pickle ball

[Music]

[Applause]

court

[Music]