Today's pickleball players – at every skill level – have become great at speeding the ball up at the NVZ line. If you're not improving your counterattack skills, breaking through the 5.0 barrier will be difficult.
We present a breakdown of defending speedups and improving your counterattacking skills, as taught by pickleball coach and content creator Jordan Briones.
1. Developing the Right Mindset
Staying mentally and physically engaged is essential when at the kitchen line. Many players lose focus, relax, or even check out when the ball isn't coming their way. Instead, you should expect the ball to come your way at any time.
Position yourself and your paddle (remember paddle tracking?) according to where the shot will likely come from.
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2. Reading Opponent's Patterns
Many players have their favorite shots and places they like to attack from. Learning these tendencies can greatly improve your success at counterattacking.
Early in a match, take note of the balls they choose to speed up (off-the-bounce, in the air, forehand, or backhand) and where they like to speed the ball up to (through the middle, crosscourt, down the line, etc.).
If they're successful, you can safely assume they'll try it again later.
3. Dealing with Awkward Shots
Not every shot will come cleanly to your paddle, so keeping your paddle in front of your body is critical. Having your paddle in front allows you to react to anything that comes your way, even if you can't react perfectly (like hitting a chicken wing backhand instead of a forehand).
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It may not be the strongest shot, but it can keep the point going and force one more shot by your opponent.
Defending speedups in pickleball requires a combination of mental focus, proper paddle positioning, and an understanding of your opponent's tendencies. By developing a solid defensive strategy and regularly practicing these techniques, you can turn the tables on your opponents and gain the upper hand in high-level play.
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