At the 5.0 level, speeding up the ball is rarely a reaction. It’s a decision that happens before the ball is hit.
Advanced players are constantly reading the opponent’s contact, the type of ball they’re given, and the position of both players to determine whether an attack is available.
Read Your Opponent’s Contact Point
The first cue is the opponent’s contact point. A ball that is contacted below the net, behind the body, or while the player is moving is usually a poor attack opportunity. A ball that sits higher, is contacted out in front, and arrives with less spin or pace is often the right ball to attack.
The second tell is the height of the ball. 5.0 players are looking for a ball that rises into an attackable window. They understand that not every dink needs to be attacked.
Sometimes the best play is to continue the rally until the opponent gives them a ball that can be struck aggressively without creating unnecessary risk. Patience pays off here.
Watch Your Opponent’s Balance and Movement
The third cue is the opponent’s balance and movement.
If an opponent is reaching, stepping sideways, crossing their feet, or recovering from a wide ball, an advanced player recognizes that their ability to defend the next shot is compromised. That moment can create an opportunity to speed up.
Positioning also matters. Before attacking, 5.0 players are aware of where their partner is and where the opponents are positioned. They aren’t simply looking for a ball they can hit hard. They are looking for a ball they can attack while maintaining court coverage and limiting the opponent’s counterattack options.
A Pickleball Speed-Up Doesn’t Have to Be Full Power
The response is often more controlled than people realize. A speed-up doesn’t have to be a full-power shot.
Advanced players may use pace, angle, placement, or a change of direction to force a reaction. Their goal is to create a weak response, not simply to hit the hardest ball possible.
The biggest difference at the 5.0 level is patience. Advanced players don’t speed up because they’re bored with the dink rally or because they think they have to attack first. They speed up when the opponent gives them a measurable advantage.
The Best Speed-Ups Start With Recognition
The best speed-ups are created by recognition. See the contact point. Read the height. Watch the opponent’s balance. Identify the open space. Know where your partner is. Then attack with a purpose.
There’s a lot to read in a nanosecond and then execute. That’s what makes a 5.0 player successful, in my opinion.
At the highest levels, the question is not “Can I speed this ball up?” It is “What is this ball telling me?”
That ability to recognize the opportunity before it arrives is what separates an aggressive player from an intelligent attacker.
Remember, pickleball is supposed to be fun.
About the Author: Gina Cilento is a top-ranked Senior Pro and APP multi-medalist. She competes for the Denver Iconics in MLP Champions Series Pickleball and was named Female MVP in 2025. Gina is also a highly sought-after instructor known for helping players improve both their technical skills and strategic understanding of the game. Beyond competition and coaching, she leads corporate team-building events, hosts pickleball travel experiences, contributes to Empower Pickleball, and serves as an advisor for Pickleball Superstars.
