Ever have one of those days where you’re getting absolutely lit up at the kitchen line? Where one player in particular seems to have your number and every hands battle goes his way?
Us too. And it got us thinking. There’s got to be more to hand speed than just having fast hands. So we asked around and gathered some insights from a handful of players far more skilled than us. Plus a quick tip on how you can get quicker, too.
1️⃣ Actual speed of your hands. Superior hand speed is all about getting your paddle behind the ball, then resetting in a millisecond to be in position to do it again. Quick-twitch players like Hayden Patriquin and JW Johnson are elite at this.
The drill: Find a wall and see how close you can stand while keeping the ball up, as fast as possible. This isn’t sexy, but it works.
2️⃣ All about anticipation. The more you have to reach for a ball, the more likely you are to mishit it or pop it up. Staying in a hands battle requires anticipating where the next shot is coming in real time and leading with your legs to get there. You want the ball coming at your chest as much as possible.
The drill: Watch some match footage of Matt Wright or Tyra Black, focusing only on their footwork. Their hands are elite, but their anticipation is even better. Study the patterns. Then try to replicate them on the court.
3️⃣ Ball-striking power. Sooner or later, someone needs to put the ball away. This comes down to keeping a short, compact swing and getting on top of the ball to punch it back at your opponent’s feet. Nobody does this better than Anna Leigh Waters.
The drill: Find a partner and a fresh tennis ball. It’ll feel like hitting a bowling ball compared to a pickleball, and that’s the point. You have to hit through it to give it any pace. Now translate that same swing motion in a match and see what happens.
