Speed-Up
Also known as: attack, hand speed
A speed-up is an offensive attack launched from the kitchen line during a soft dink exchange. This means a sudden hard drive aimed at the opponent's body or shoulder to force a reflex error before they can reset.
The speed-up ends the patience game of a dink rally by converting a ball above net height into a fast, directed attack. The threshold for a viable speed-up is that the incoming ball must peak above the net tape (34 inches at center) as it arrives. This means a ball at or below net height cannot be driven down into the kitchen and must be dinkd. When a dink floats even slightly above the tape, the attacking player has a window to drive it with a compact, wrist-led motion, directing the ball at the opponent's non-paddle shoulder or hip area where it is hardest to reset cleanly.
Target selection determines whether a speed-up wins the exchange or restarts it. The most effective targets are. This means the right shoulder of a right-handed opponent (between the paddle and body. This makes it hard to reach with either forehand or backhand), the left hip to force a backhand reset under pressure, and directly at the body to jam the swing. Hitting down-the-line rather than crosscourt reduces the opponent's reaction time because the ball travels a shorter distance. A speed-up aimed at open court. This means away from the body. This means is often easier to reset than one aimed at the body. This is. This is because the opponent can use full paddle travel to absorb it.
The counter to a speed-up is the reset, and at higher levels both sides know this. The attacker must therefore either speed up with enough pace that a reset is mechanically difficult, or follow up the speed-up immediately with a second hard shot at the same or different target, before the opponent can reestablish soft-hands position. A single speed-up that produces a floated reset should be followed by a put-away overhead or another drive. This means not by returning to dinking. This gives the opponent time to recover.
Before speeding up, ask whether the ball is above the net tape. If the answer is "not quite," dink it. A speed-up on a ball below net height creates an upward angle that floats back to the opponent at chest height. This means the exact shot they wanted from you.
Aim at the opponent's non-dominant shoulder, on the side between their paddle and their body. This target requires them to decide in under a half second whether to use a forehand or backhand, often resulting in a cramped, arm-tight reset that pops up. Pre-load your feet to step into a follow-up volley the instant they attempt the reset.
Example
A crosscourt dink floats slightly above the net tape. The player drives it at the opponent's right shoulder with a compact wrist snap, drawing an arm-tight block that pops up for a put-away volley.
Why it matters
The speed-up is how kitchen-line rallies end. This means eventually one ball floats high enough to attack. The player who recognizes and executes that moment wins the exchange. Knowing when to speed up (and when not to) is the most important decision skill at the intermediate and advanced level.
How it shows up on video
Watch the ball height at the moment the attacker makes contact. This means a ball contacted below the net tape is being driven upward and will likely float or go into the net. A ball contacted above the tape can be directed down into the court. Also watch the target — a speed-up that goes to the center or open court is often easier to reset than one aimed at the body. Review whether a reset followed the speed-up and whether the attacker was ready to follow up.
Common mistakes
- Speeding up a ball below net height. This means a ball that must be driven upward to clear the net cannot be attacked. It should be reset or dinkd.
- Targeting open court instead of the body — the most effective speed-ups jam the opponent's swing, not their positioning.
- Using too much backswing on the speed-up. This means at kitchen-line distances, a compact wrist snap generates sufficient pace. A full swing telegraphs the attack and reduces accuracy.
- Failing to follow up. This means a single speed-up that is reset puts the attacker back at neutral. Be prepared to immediately hit a second attack rather than returning to dinking.
In SwingVantage Motion Lab
SwingVantage identifies moments in a rally where a ball peaks above net height, flagging missed speed-up opportunities alongside successfully executed attacks. It also compares ball height at contact across your speed-ups to show whether you are attacking on balls that are genuinely attackable.
Frequently asked questions
Can I speed up any ball, or only dinks?
You can speed up any ball you contact above the net tape. At the same time, volleying outside the kitchen. This means including a reset attempt that floats, a slow mid-court drive, or a dink that pops up. The rule is ball height, not shot type.
What should I do if my speed-up gets reset back to me?
Immediately assess the reset's height. If it floats above net height, attack again — preferably to a different target. If it drops into the kitchen unattackably, reset it yourself and return to the dinking exchange. Do not try to attack a ball that arrived below net height; you will simply restart the sequence from a worse position.
Is a speed-up the same as an overhead smash?
No. A speed-up is a quick, compact drive executed from a ball near chest or shoulder height during a dink rally. An overhead smash is a separate stroke used on high lobs, using a full overhead motion. Both are attacks, but they apply to different ball heights and positions.
Related terms
- DinkA dink is a soft, controlled shot hit from near the kitchen line that arcs just over the net and lands in the opponent's kitchen. This forces them to hit upward and preventing an aggressive return.
- ResetA reset is a soft, absorbing shot that takes pace off a hard-driven ball and returns it into the opponent's kitchen, neutralizing an attack and restoring a neutral dinking rally.
- VolleyA volley is any shot hit out of the air before the ball bounces. In pickleball it must be struck while standing outside the kitchen — the non-volley zone — making footwork and position as important as stroke mechanics.
- ErneAn Erne is an aggressive shot where a player jumps or runs around the outside of the kitchen to volley a ball beside the net post, legally contacting it outside the non-volley zone for an unexpected, sharp-angled winner.
Related guides & benchmarks
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