How To Use Your Wrist To Improve Your Pickleball Game
As you progress in your pickleball play, deception can become an essential part of a winning strategy. When used properly, it can throw your opponents off balance with unexpected shots and keep them guessing as to what you'll do next.
One way to incorporate deception into your game is by using wrist action when hitting your shots. With the correct technique, you can use your wrist to add spin or change direction on a shot without alerting your opponent.
This article will teach you how to use your wrist for maximum impact in pickleball matches to gain an advantage over other players and take home more wins!
The Pickleball Flick Roll
Although some call it the Flick Roll, others might call it Wrist Flick Speed Up. Regardless of what you might call it, the shot takes what looks like a standard dink shot but then, at the last second, becomes a speed-up with a flick of your wrist.
It’s a deceptive way to attack the ball at the kitchen line. It’s a very versatile shot as you can do it off a volley, a bounce, and with your backhand or forehand. The most important part of this shot is not to warn your opponents that it’s coming. This means not using a big backswing before striking the ball.
The Technique for the Flick Roll
Like other pickleball shots, this requires practice if you want to use it consistently. The key technique is to show your opponent that it’s just a regular ol’ dink that you plan on hitting, but then at the last second, you accelerate your wrist forward and up and down so you can get topspin on the ball.
It’s almost as if you are using the paddle to brush the top of the ball. This prevents the shot from sailing on you, likely costing you a point or giving your opponent an easy smash attempt. You can do this technique with the forehand or backhand, but the backhand could give you the most trouble, and you should be sure to get in a lot of reps before trying it in an important match.
How to Practice the Pickleball Flick Roll
Practicing this shot is simple, and you can do it by yourself. If you’re on a court, simply stand at the kitchen line and drop balls to your side–remember to get reps on both sides. You can do this to the other side of the net or even against a wall if you don’t have a court to practice on. Doing it against a wall is nice because you can practice doing a few dinks before accelerating with your wrist.
If you have a partner, simply have the other person dink the ball at you and practice the speed-up after a few returns.
The Power Comes from Your Wrist
The deception of this shot requires that you keep your body and backswing as quiet as possible. And instead of gearing up to take a shot, as you might on a drive or return of serve, you want to use your wrist to create all the power into the ball. This means that you keep your grip firm but not too tight. Too tight of a grip can work against you and send the ball sailing. But, too loose of a grip means not generating enough power to put the ball over the net.
This is why practicing is so essential to becoming good with these shots. You want to find that sweet spot and make the wrist action second nature.
Where to Aim the Ball
Now that we’ve discussed the technique let’s discuss aiming the ball. Whenever you’re in a dinking situation, you want to consider your main speed-up targets: down the middle, at the right shoulder, and down the sideline. The part you want to avoid is directly at their body, allowing the opponent to use their backhand.
Consider your opponent's position to figure out where you want to aim. For example, if they are more toward the sideline, then the middle might be the best spot. If they seem to be shading the center, the sideline might be the best spot to aim your speed-up. If they are back more, the feet become in play, and if they are in a good position, aim for the right shoulder (or left shoulder of a lefthanded player).
These spots will help prevent your opponent from returning the ball, increasing the likelihood of you winning the rally.
If you want to watch these deception techniques, check out this video from Enhance Pickleball. And be sure to check back at Pickleball University often for more strategies and tips.
