Faster Hands: Close Ready, Only Move Forward
Summary
John Cincola’s favorite fast-hands cue: on normal shots you can take a small backswing, but in a hands battle you’re fighting time.
Stay in a relaxed ready position a little closer to the body and make your only move forward — out to the ball, not back-then-forward. Eliminating the extra backswing is what buys the reaction window on counters.
Key takeaways
- Hands battles = no back-then-forward
- Closer, relaxed ready position
- Only movement: forward out to the ball
Action items
- Wall or partner volleys: whisper “forward only” for 60 seconds
- Film kitchen exchanges: pause any frame where the paddle goes back first