Mastering the Triangle Rule in Pickleball
The simple positioning concept that instantly improves court coverage
When was the last time you were in an extended dink rally? It seems like these are a thing of the past where we play. The M.O. is that just about every ball is hit hard. Every shot at the kitchen is a speed up. Since I started telling myself “it’s coming back fast!” every time, my game has improved. Here’s what can take that thinking to the next level.
To score points at the kitchen, it’s all about developing stronger counters, which leads to one simple question: how do we get our hands to move faster? Enter the “Triangle Rule!”
What Is the Triangle Rule?
The Triangle Rule states that when a ball is sped up, the counter typically creates a triangle trajectory.
Here’s the deal: when you speed up the ball toward your opponent, if they counter successfully, it won’t come straight back at you. Instead, it’ll veer off to one side or the other, creating a triangle.
Why Should You Care?
Simply put, a speedup rarely ends a rally; it sparks a hands battle! When that happens, there’s no time to overthink—it's all about pure reflexes. Your goal is to send that ball back over the net in a way that makes it nearly impossible for your opponent to respond effectively, forcing them to hit it upwards for a sweet putaway opportunity.
Most of us aren't spending our free time doing hand and wrist workouts to improve our speed. So what are your options? You can either upgrade to a lighter paddle or one with a larger surface area, or you can learn to anticipate where the ball is going. If a new paddle sounds tempting—go for it! But if you want to hone your anticipation skills, the Triangle Rule is your friend.
Predicting Ball Trajectories
Where you speed the ball towards your opponent impacts where their counter will go. Here’s a quick rundown:
Forehand Speedup: Expect the counter to go right of you.
One-Handed Backhand Speedup: The ball will likely veer to the left.
Two-Handed Backhand Speedup: Expect it to go to the right.
Sure, this won't work every single time, but you can increase your odds significantly. Your opponent needs to react quickly; if they have time to plan, the prediction may not hold.
Quality Over Everything
You might have learned that the best places to target for a speedup are the opponent’s dominant hip or shoulder area. This makes your shots more challenging to handle. But remember, it’s not just about placement; speed and disguising your moves matter too!
If the opponent can see your speedup coming or if it's too slow, they’ll have time to counter effectively, which undermines the Triangle Rule.
Making the Triangle Work for You
Now that you’re well-acquainted with the Triangle Rule, how do you leverage it?
Speedups Down the Line: If you hit a speedup down the line from the right side, your opponent will struggle to keep their counter in bounds. This often leads to a weak return, setting you or your partner up for a successful putaway.
Speedups Down the Middle: A speedup aimed directly at your opponent creates more options for them; however, if it's a quality speedup, you’ll still have a good read on their counter. If they seem jammed, you can quickly move to your right, getting ready to take that forehand shot.
Get Ready to Dominate
Speeding up the ball isn’t just about immediate points; it’s about positioning yourself for future shots. By embracing the Triangle Rule, you and your partner can create advantageous situations in your rallies. Just make sure to disguise your speedup and be ready for the return.
Whether you prefer to counter from your right (forehand for righties, backhand for lefties) or your left (backhand for righties, forehand for lefties), adjust your strategy accordingly. After all, if you face someone who knows how to wield a two-handed backhand, treat them as if they have two forehands and adjust your game plan accordingly!
