Wrist on Speed-Ups: Skip It at Lower Levels — Add a Contact Flick Later to Disguise Angle

Summary

Aylex Pickleball Academy (with Coach Eugene Mak) explains when to use the wrist on a speed-up. At lower levels they usually tell players not to move the wrist, because that flick sends the ball into the net.

Once the speed-up motion itself is solid, using the wrist right at contact adds topspin and lets you change direction — for example, flicking so you can target the opponent’s other shoulder and disguise the angle. Use the wrist as a flick on contact, not as the whole swing, and only after the base motion is there.

Key takeaways

• Lower-level speed-ups: keep the wrist quiet so you don’t dump into the net
• After the motion is developed, a contact flick adds topspin and lets you change the angle
• The wrist disguises direction (for example, switching which shoulder you attack)

Action items

• Build 20 speed-ups with a quiet wrist first; only then add a small contact flick on 10 more
• Practice flicking the same swing to opposite shoulders so the speed-up stays disguised