This ATTACK Completely CRUSHES Opponents

How High Level Pickleball Players Attack with Timing and Intention

Hey there, it’s your coach Jordan Briones

I have coached many players who rely on pace and power to win points. Sometimes it works, especially against opponents who feel rushed or uncomfortable. But I have also seen this exact approach fall apart when facing calm, composed, and ready players who know how to absorb pace and stay in control.

What truly separates high level pickleball players is not how hard they hit. It is how and when they choose to attack.

Consistent winners at advanced levels are not swinging wildly or forcing speed for the sake of speed. They are attacking with purpose, timing, and structure.

Why Power Alone Is Not Enough in Pickleball

Many players believe the key to winning more points is simply hitting harder. They want faster drives, more aggressive speed ups, and explosive put aways.

But power without timing often leads to errors.

Well prepared opponents are not surprised by pace. They are positioned. They are balanced. They are ready to counter or reset. When that happens, raw power becomes predictable and ineffective.

That is where intelligent attacking comes in.

High level players do not attack randomly. They attack when their opponent is off balance, out of position, or vulnerable in transition. The shot itself matters, but the moment matters even more.

The Pattern Behind Successful 5.0 Attacking

When you study consistent 5.0 players, you start to notice a clear pattern.

They are not waiting for a perfect floating ball.
They are not forcing a risky speed up too early.
They are not reacting emotionally to each point.

Instead, they move the ball strategically during dink exchanges. They create pressure through placement and positioning. Then, when the timing is right, they accelerate decisively.

One common example is the deep angled acceleration shot after a dink exchange. This type of attack works because it usually happens when the opponent is slightly extended or shifting. They have not fully reset their stance and their balance is compromised.

The ball comes fast, but more importantly, it comes at the exact moment they are not ready.

That is what flips neutral points into offensive opportunities.

Why Timing Is the Real Weapon

A true attack is not just about speed. It is about timing.

The most effective attackers in pickleball do three things before they strike.

They observe their opponent’s movement.
They recognize when balance is compromised.
They commit to the shot without hesitation.

It is not rushed.
It is not tentative.
It is not random.

It is timed to take advantage of a moment that they helped create through earlier shots.

When you understand this, attacking becomes less about brute force and more about reading the situation and choosing the right moment to accelerate.

How Positioning Creates Attacking Opportunities

One of the biggest mistakes players make is trying to attack from poor court positions.

High level players focus first on positioning themselves for opportunity. They are not just hitting hard from wherever they stand. They are positioning their body and paddle to reduce risk and improve angles.

They use smart dink placement to pull opponents out of position.
They stay balanced and ready during neutral exchanges.
They align their body so they can attack without overreaching or losing control.

Positioning allows them to attack from strong positions instead of defensive ones. This leads to more controlled and effective finishes rather than reckless attempts.

How to Finish Points from Neutral

Most rallies in pickleball enter neutral territory at the kitchen. Neither team has a clear advantage. Many players stay passive too long or force the wrong attack.

High IQ attackers break this neutral state strategically.

They look for slight openings rather than obvious ones.
They force opponents into movement instead of waiting for mistakes.
They hit aggressive shots with precise placement, not just speed.

This could mean attacking a body, using sharp angles, or targeting gaps created by positioning. The key is that every attack has intent behind it, not desperation.

Why High Level Players Do Not Wait for the Perfect Ball

One of the biggest mindset shifts for players trying to level up their attacking game is understanding this.

Most players wait.
They wait for a perfect ball.
They wait for a pop up.
They wait for a mistake.

High level attackers do not wait. They create.

They move the ball.
They shift their opponents.
They force uncomfortable movement patterns.
They generate the opening instead of hoping for it.

Once they feel the advantage being created, they do not hesitate. They step in and finish with confidence and control.

This is not about being reckless.
It is about being proactive.

Why Attacking Is More Mental Than Mechanical

This type of attacking is not just physical.
It is largely mental.

It requires patience during neutral play.
It requires discipline not to force shots early.
It requires awareness of the opponent, not just the ball.

The ability to delay until the right moment, then fully commit when it arrives, is what separates average attackers from elite ones.

When you develop this habit, you start winning points because of your decisions, not just your strokes.

Final Thoughts on Attacking with a Winning Mindset

Attacking in pickleball is not just about hitting fast shots.
It is about hitting the right shot at the right time for the right reason.

When you start focusing on timing, positioning, and intention, your attacks become more efficient, more controlled, and harder to defend.

You stop forcing points and start constructing them.
You stop reacting and start dictating.
You stop hoping and start creating.

This is the shift that turns aggressive players into dangerous ones.

See you on the court,
Jordan Briones