Speed-Up Drill: Attacker Needs 5 Before Roles Flip
Summary
Shea Underwood’s kitchen speed-up drill is built for getting to 5.0: one partner is the designated attacker until they win five rallies.
Start dinking straight across. Only the attacker may speed up first; the non-attacker can reset or counter. Once a speed-up happens and the rally continues, the non-attacker may also speed up. Keep going until the attacker banks five wins, then switch. Counter side: paddle out front so you don’t get jammed, and watch your partner’s paddle to read speed-ups early. Both sides stay low and balanced.
Key takeaways
- One attacker until they win 5, then switch
- Non-attacker may only speed up after the first attack continues
- Counter ready: paddle out front; read partner’s takeback
Action items
- Run attacker-to-5, switch, then again — track how many counters you miss jammed
- Film one set: note every late read when you weren’t watching their paddle