When Not to Speed Up in Pickleball — Even If It Looks Open

When Not to Speed Up — Even if It’s Open
You’re in a dink rally at the kitchen line. Suddenly, your opponent’s dink floats just a little too high. You see the gap. The temptation hits. Now’s the time to speed it up. But you fire — and they’re ready. They counter hard into your feet, and the rally ends with you frustrated, wondering how they were so prepared.

This is one of the most common traps in pickleball: speeding up just because the opportunity looks open. Players are taught to attack high balls, to pounce on openings, to apply pressure — and that advice is generally sound. But at higher levels of play, a speed-up isn’t just about what’s available — it’s about whether it’s smart.

Let’s break down why some speed-ups backfire, the difference between “open” and “vulnerable,” and how to know when to hold your fire — even when it’s tempting to pull the trigger.

Why the Speed-Up Feels So Right
In the fast-paced world of modern pickleball, players are taught to be aggressive. If the ball sits up even slightly, it feels like an invitation to take control of the rally. After all, nobody wants to be labeled as too passive. Attacking gives a sense of control, energy, and momentum.

And sometimes, it works. The opponent flinches. You catch them off guard. You win the point outright. That dopamine hit reinforces the behavior — so the next time something looks hittable, you fire again.

But the problem is this: smart opponents are waiting for you to take the bait.

What Makes a Speed-Up Backfire
Speeding up the ball is only half the equation. The other half is whether your opponent is expecting it — and how they’re positioned to respond. Even a perfectly executed attack can be neutralized or countered if the timing is wrong.

Here’s when speed-ups often fail:

1. The Opponent Is Set and Balanced
If your opponent is in a neutral, ready position — paddle up, weight balanced, eyes forward — they’ll be ready for almost any speed-up. Their reflexes are loaded, and a clean counterattack is likely. In that situation, attacking can hand over the momentum.

2. Your Contact Point Is Too Low
Many players try to speed up balls that are barely above net height. They might technically be “high enough,” but the paddle angle and swing path needed to generate an effective attack aren’t ideal. The result? A pop-up, a ball into the net, or a counter straight back at the attacker’s feet.

3. You Telegraphed It
A dramatic backswing, a sudden shift in posture, or a change in paddle angle — all of these signal that an attack is coming. Good players pick up on those cues instantly and get ready. At that point, your attack isn’t a surprise. It’s a setup — for them.

4. You Don’t Have a Clear Target
Speeding up into space works — but only if the space actually exists. Many players fire at chest level hoping to jam their opponent, but if they haven’t planned it or read the paddle positioning correctly, they just give them an easy counter opportunity.

Open ≠ Smart
The key mistake most players make is assuming that open means vulnerable.

Yes, a high ball may be technically attackable. And yes, the middle may be slightly exposed. But none of that matters if:

The opponent is ready

Your partner isn’t prepared to follow up

The risk-to-reward ratio doesn’t favor you

What matters more than whether the ball is hittable is whether the situation supports the speed-up. Great players pass up dozens of “open” looks every match because they’re playing the long game — waiting for the right one.

The Chain Reaction of a Bad Speed-Up
When a speed-up goes wrong, the damage often ripples through the rest of the rally:

You’re Off-Balance After Contact
Speed-ups often require a quick motion that can pull you out of position, especially if you're hitting from a wide or off-center stance.

Your Partner Isn’t Ready for the Counter
If you fire without warning, your partner may be holding a dink-ready paddle — not a punch volley. That leaves the whole team vulnerable.

You Get Targeted Immediately
Many counterattacks from a failed speed-up come back even faster than the original attack. That puts the initiator under heavy pressure, often with no time to react.

In other words, a mistimed attack doesn’t just fail — it usually puts you and your partner on defense in a split second.

When to Hold Back
Here are some situations where holding off on the speed-up is usually the better choice:

1. Opponent Is Looking for It
If your opponent’s eyes are locked in, paddle up, and their stance says “bring it on,” don’t oblige them. Reset, reset again, and wait for them to blink first.

2. You’re Off-Balance
Even if the ball is high, if your feet aren’t set or your weight is shifting, it’s not the time. Attacks from unstable positions almost always lead to errors or weak contact.

3. Your Opponents Are Communicating Well
Sharp, vocal teams are harder to surprise. If they’re constantly calling “watch middle” or “paddle up,” they’re likely primed for a counter. In those situations, deception and timing are more valuable than raw aggression.

4. You’re Leading the Point
Ironically, one of the worst times to speed up is when you’re already winning the rally. If you’ve neutralized their attack and earned control at the kitchen, you don’t need to force the issue. A hasty attack can hand the momentum right back.

Smarter Alternatives
Instead of defaulting to the speed-up every time something floats, try these options:

Pressure with a roll volley
A slower topspin volley can force a weaker response without overcommitting.

Disguise with a shoulder fake
Make it look like a speed-up, then hold and drop short. Opponents who bite early will overreach.

Change direction unexpectedly
Use angle or a misdirected dink to move your opponent before choosing to attack.

Add variation to pace
Instead of a sudden speed-up, increase the intensity with firmer dinks or quicker tempo — then hit the acceleration later when the opportunity feels earned.

The Speed-Up as a Setup — Not the Finish
At higher levels, the speed-up isn’t used to end the point. It’s used to create chaos, provoke a weak reply, and then finish on the next ball. It’s one part of a larger strategy, not a one-shot gamble.

Before you attack, ask yourself:

Am I balanced?

Is my opponent unready or out of position?

Is my partner set for the next shot?

Do I know where I’m hitting it — and why?

If you can’t answer yes to most of those, consider holding back. There will be another opportunity — and the next one might be better.

Control the Urge, Control the Game
Speeding up a ball can feel powerful — like you’re taking charge. But real control isn’t about how fast you play. It’s about when you choose to play fast.

Players who attack every open ball often plateau. Players who wait, study, and pick the right moment keep climbing. Because they’re not playing to look aggressive. They’re playing to win.

So next time you see that tempting ball float up, ask yourself: is this just open — or is it actually the right time?

Sometimes the best play isn’t the attack. It’s the one you don’t hit.