Zane Navratil’s Topspin Secret: In a recent Instagram video, professional pickleball player Zane Navratil shared insights into a fundamental shift in the strategy of pickleball—why he now prefers topspin over slicing his shots. Navratil, a prominent ProXR Pickleball athlete and co-host of the popular “Picklepod,” discussed the evolving dynamics of the sport and the role that topspin plays in improving performance.
Navratil began by reflecting on his early days in pickleball, a time when slicing was the dominant technique.
When I first started playing pickleball, pretty much every dink was hit with an open face, and you’re hitting a little bit of slice on that ball.” – (zane)
The conventional wisdom was that a slice shot kept the ball low after bouncing and bought players time to approach the net. However, recent advances in paddle technology have changed the landscape of the game, making topspin a more effective option.
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With newer paddles allowing for greater control and spin, topspin shots have gained an edge. According to Navratil, applying topspin to dink shots now makes the ball dip more effectively, creating a challenging situation for opponents. He emphasized that topspin allows for better placement and forces opponents to adjust to a ball that dips unexpectedly. This control can be a decisive factor during critical points in a match.
Navratil also addressed the evolution of shot techniques in professional pickleball, particularly regarding returns. He highlighted that many top players have moved away from slicing their returns.
“Pro pickleball players never slice their returns anymore.” – (zane)
The reason is simple: slicing provides an advantage to the opponent by allowing them to generate even more topspin, creating a harder shot to return. Instead, players now favor topspin returns, which keep their opponents on the defensive and prevent them from capitalizing on extra spin.
The shift in strategy, Navratil explained, is closely tied to advancements in paddle technology. Modern paddles offer improved surface texture and grip, allowing players to generate greater topspins with less effort. As a result, the old paradigm of hitting slice returns to keep the ball low, and buy time is no longer as effective as it once was.
News in Brief: Zane Navratil’s Topspin Secret
In a recent Instagram video, professional pickleball player Zane Navratil explained why he prefers topspin over slicing his shots. Navratil, a ProXR Pickleball athlete and co-host of “Picklepod,” noted that while slicing was once common, advancements in paddle technology now make topspin more effective.
He highlighted that topspin shots dip more sharply and challenge opponents, providing better control and placement. Navratil also mentioned that top players now favor topspin returns over slices to keep opponents defensive. The shift reflects broader changes in the sport, driven by evolving equipment.
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