Zane Navratil Ranks Top Backhand Flicks: Professional pickleball player Zane Navratil recently joined The Dink Pickleball podcast for a segment of blind rankings, evaluating the backhand flicks of top players. The rankings, shared on Instagram, sparked discussions among fans about the best backhand flicks in the game.
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Breaking Down the Blind Rankings
Navratil was given five players to rank without knowing who would come next. When asked to rate Tyson McGuffin’s backhand flick, he placed him last.
“Five? Sorry, Tyson. I feel like you’re more of a puncher.” – (Navratil)
He noted that a flick differs from a punch, which impacted his ranking. For Anna Leigh Waters, Navratil placed her at number three, acknowledging her versatility.
“She’s got a little flick action going, and she can basically do anything on the pickleball court.” – (Navratil)
Navratil ranked Ben Johns first, citing his impact on the technique’s popularity.
“I’m just gonna go one to be safe. I feel like he is partially the reason why the backhand flick is as prominent in practice as it is, especially at the amateur level. He’s a backhand flick GOAT. The originator.” – (Navratil)
Final List and Fan Reactions
The complete rankings ended with Ben Johns at number one, followed by Mari Humbergh at two, Anna Leigh Waters at three, Connor Garnett at four, and Tyson McGuffin at five. After reviewing the list, Navratil admitted he might switch McGuffin and Garnett but stood by his overall rankings.
Fans took to social media to debate the rankings, with some agreeing on Johns’ top spot while others argued for different placements. The segment highlighted the growing emphasis on the backhand flick in modern pickleball strategy.
News in Brief: Zane Navratil Ranks Top Backhand Flicks
Zane Navratil ranked top pickleball players’ backhand flicks in a blind ranking segment on The Dink Pickleball podcast. He placed Ben Johns first, calling him the “backhand flick GOAT,” while Tyson McGuffin landed last. The rankings sparked online debates about the best backhand flicks in pickleball today.
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