Master this Framework to Develop Faster Hands in Pickleball

Coach Austin Hardy’s F.A.S.T. system helps pickleball players develop quicker hands by focusing on stance, paddle positioning, footwork shifts, and consistent training habits

Want faster hands in pickleball? Coach Austin Hardy from PickleballPlaybook breaks down the F.A.S.T framework, a four-part system designed to help you react quicker and dominate hands battles. Whether you're stuck at 3.5 or pushing toward 5.0, this framework offers concrete techniques that top pros like Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns already use.

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What Does F.A.S.T Actually Stand For?

The framework spells out the word F.A.S.T:

• Fully Ready
• Aim
• Shift
• Train

Each letter represents a critical piece of the puzzle for developing lightning-fast hands.

Coach Hardy emphasizes that these aren't just abstract concepts. They're actionable techniques you can drill today and see results within weeks.

1. Fully Ready: Your Foundation Matters

Being fully ready starts with your stance. You need a wide base with your legs spread wider than your shoulders, not just inside them. This gives you balance and stability when opponents attack.

Most importantly, stay on the balls of your feet and lean forward. Tilting back is a killer because your paddle face angles upward, giving your opponent the advantage in the hands battle.

The box step is your secret weapon here. When you anticipate a speed-up coming, take a quick step back and split step. This buys you space and time to react, even though it feels counterintuitive.

• Wide base with feet outside shoulder width for stability.
• Stay on the balls of your feet and lean forward.
• Use the box step to create reaction time when a speed-up is coming.
• Close into the court after you hit down, since your opponent must hit up.

2. Aim: Point Your Paddle at the Ball

This sounds simple, but most players miss it. By pointing your paddle tip toward the ball, you automatically open your paddle face to the right position to counter.

If you dink crosscourt, point your paddle tip crosscourt. Your paddle face naturally opens toward your forehand side, ready to cover the middle or your partner. If the ball goes up the line or in front of you, hold slightly toward your backhand side instead, since the backhand covers way more of your body than a forehand does.

Coach Hardy also walks through three different ready positions used by elite players. J.W. Johnson keeps his paddle low for a relaxed arm and faster reactions. Ben Johns holds at belly button height for versatility. Anna Leigh Waters holds high, which works great for two-handed backhand players.

The key is finding the ready position that matches your game, not copying someone else's.

3. Shift: Move Your Feet, Not Just Your Paddle

Shifting is one of the most effective ways to boost your hand speed instantly. Your opponents want to hit you in the chicken wing position, right around your hip, where you're awkward and indecisive.

Instead of staying put, to be directly aligned. If the ball is slightly to your left, shift left. Put all your weight on the leg you're shifting toward, then shuffle step to get into position. You want that ball to be directly aligned with your chest when they speed up.

By shifting, you take away their easiest shot. The center of the net is lower and offers more court, so forcing them to go up the line or to the sidelines makes them work harder.

4. Train: Consistency Beats Intensity

Coach Hardy recommends training three hours per week, split into three one-hour sessions. Spreading it out beats cramming all three hours into one day because your muscle memory develops better with consistent practice.

He shares two favorite drills. The first involves hitting back and forth while moving along the sideline, focusing on tracking the ball with your paddle and maintaining a consistent contact point. The second keeps you behind the kitchen line while you practice the same tracking and shifting mechanics.

The goal is to train yourself to always get into the perfect contact zone rather than reach. Lazy footwork kills hand speed.

Why This Framework Actually Works

The F.A.S.T. framework isn't theoretical. Coach Hardy demonstrates each component with live play, showing how the pieces fit together in real hands battles.

Top pros already use these techniques. Anna Leigh Waters keeps her feet wide apart the entire match, constantly shifting and closing into the court. Ben Johns uses a ready position that lets him create offense on both high and low balls. These aren't accidents; they're deliberate applications of the framework.

If you've felt like other players just have faster hands, the truth is they're probably backing up more, pointing their paddle at the ball, and shifting into position. You're not born with fast hands. You build them.

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