Speed-Ups Aren’t Kill Shots: Flat Angle, 50–70%, Setup the Putaway

Summary

Aylex Pickleball with Coach Eugene Mak reframes the speed-up as a setup, not a winner.

Ditch the low-to-high “hit it hard” swing for a flatter horizontal path that stays low. Aim placement on the body and dial pace to about 50–70% (vary 30–50) so you catch them off guard and earn the putaway — you’re not Anna Leigh Waters swinging at 100.

Key takeaways

• Speed-up = setup shot, not the point-ender
• Flatter horizontal path beats low-to-high muscle
• Body placement + 50–70% pace (vary); save 100% for the rare elite case

Action items

• In kitchen hands drills, score only if your speed-up sets up a putaway — winners off the first ball don’t count
• Call “30 / 50 / 70” before each speed-up for one game to feel the range