Pickleball Speed-Up Technique: When pickleball points heat up, understanding your attack coverage can be the difference between a clean winner and an unfortunate error. In his latest advanced strategy session, Coach Tony Roig takes a deep dive into lane coverage during speed-up attacks, using real match footage from the North Carolina Open Men’s Doubles Final featuring Ben Johns, Gabe Tardio, Federico Staksrud, and Hayden Patriquin.
Importance of Dink Technique Before the Speed-Up
Before the chaos of a speed-up attack, the foundation is laid in the dink exchanges. Roig highlights the purposeful, controlled dinking that takes place between players like Johns and Patriquin.
Simple, efficient paddle movements are on display, with players moving the ball strategically to create opportunities. For example, Ben Johns directs a dink straight ahead when Hayden Patriquin pinches the middle, pulling him out wide. In response, Hayden dinks crosscourt, reading the movement of Gabe Tardio shifting to the center.
These subtle but crucial choices set up the perfect opportunity for a speed-up—where split-second reactions and correct lane coverage become critical.
Assigning Lane Responsibilities During a Speed-Up
To effectively defend against a speed-up, Coach Roig breaks the court into three attack lanes:
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Down the Line Lane
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Middle Lane
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Crosscourt Lane
The crosscourt lane is usually left uncovered, gambling that the ball will either go out or become an easier ball to handle if it stays in play. That leaves two lanes requiring definite coverage:
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The down the line lane is covered by the player directly in front of the attacker.
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The middle lane is covered by the attacker’s partner’s counterpart—the player in the middle.
A common mistake, Roig warns, is when players try to cover both lanes, leading to hesitation, confusion, and missed shots. Clear assignments eliminate that indecision and allow players to confidently commit to their zone.
Perfect Execution: Hayden Patriquin and Federico Staksrud
In the match footage, Hayden Patriquin and Federico Staksrud demonstrate textbook lane coverage. When Tardio attacks down the middle, Hayden immediately steps in, taking a powerful backhand counter. Federico, understanding his assignment, instinctively moves away from the middle, giving Hayden the space and clarity to dominate the point.
This seamless understanding between partners removes hesitation. Hayden is able to react immediately and aggressively, showcasing how effective proper communication and predetermined roles can be under pressure.
Perfect Execution: Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio
Johns and Tardio also provide an excellent example when Federico Staksrud fires a flick attack between them. Though Gabe Tardio has a strong backhand and might normally take that ball, he backs off intentionally, allowing Ben Johns to step in with a forehand counterattack.
This strategic clarity lets Ben attack with confidence, leading to a decisive winner. Again, the key takeaway: clear lane responsibilities prevent conflict and set up better offensive and defensive responses.
What Happens When Coverage Assignments Break Down?
Roig doesn’t just show success stories—he also highlights when things go wrong. In two consecutive rallies, Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio show what confusion looks like.
First, Hayden attacks down the line, and Ben, correctly positioned, defends successfully. However, the following rally sees Hayden attacking the middle. Ben, set up for a backhand, hesitates because of the uncertainty whether he or Gabe should cover the shot.
Without clarity, Gabe lays off when he should have taken the ball, forcing Ben into a late, awkward backhand that results in a miss. This breakdown underlines why repetitions, communication, and clarity of role are absolutely vital, especially for newer doubles partnerships.
A Key Exception: When Lane Assignments May Not Apply
Before closing the session, Roig points out an important thing: attackers themselves need to adapt. When you are the one initiating a speed-up, traditional lane assignments don’t apply the same way.
Your priority becomes execution—finding a gap, exploiting the opponent’s confusion, and being ready for a fast counterattack. Therefore, while defensive lane coverage is essential, offensive strategy during a speed-up calls for a different mindset—more proactive and aggressive.
News in Brief: Pickleball Speed-Up Technique
Coach Tony Roig analyzes proper lane coverage during speed-ups using North Carolina Open footage. He emphasizes clear responsibilities—down the line and middle lanes—to avoid hesitation. Showcasing plays from Ben Johns, Gabe Tardio, Federico Staksrud, and Hayden Patriquin, Roig stresses communication and clarity as crucial for winning fast-paced exchanges.
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