Zane Navratil Pickleball
Zane Navratil Pickleball
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Your Pickleball Partner SUCKS - Here’s What to Do
In pickleball, not every partner will match your skill level. Zane Navratil, a top pickleball pro offers a pragmatic yet supportive approach to managing and even thriving with a weaker partner.
Tune into Game+ Network, the official home of Major League Pickleball in Canada!
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Level up your practice sessions and game with a Lobster ball machine. Use code ZANE5 for 5% off any pickleball machine and accessories.
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UPTIME Energy gives me smooth and sustained energy to power through my day! Check them out here!
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Har-Tru has all your pickleball court equipment needs. Use discount code ZANE10 to receive 10% off your purchase.
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Zane’s on Cameo!!
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My Kineon MOVE+ Pro helps with my nagging injuries and joint pain using red light therapy that I can use at home. Learn more here and check out my review video!
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Thorlo Socks are the best! Engineered with varying levels of padding, their pickleball socks provide maximum comfort and support. Get yours here.
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Grab your next ProXR Signature or Sweet Spot Max Paddle on my website!
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Subscribe to my newsletter to stay up to date with me on and off the court!
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Recover with Yobow, the most compact massage pistol! Each purchase includes a free Yobow warm-up band ($25 value) and free US shipping!
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The AIM7 app turns data from wearables to personalized and actionable solutions focused on pickleball performance, recovery, and injury prevention. Use this link and add code ZANE25 for a 30-day free trial and annual subscription for 25% off! Annual subscribers also receive 30% off Thorne supplements!
www.aim7.com/?via=zane
Playing with a weaker partner can be a common scenario. You might be tempted to "tank" the match-intentionally playing poorly to exit quickly. However, Navratil advocates for a more constructive approach. Rather than surrendering to frustration, he encourages players to find ways to elevate their game and support their partner. Here’s how:
The first step in handling a weaker partner is protecting them during play. Keep the ball in front of yourself as much as possible. This strategic positioning prevents opponents from targeting your partner with aggressive shots. By dinking in front of yourself, you force your opponents to go crosscourt, giving your partner more time to react.
Stacking is a tactical arrangement where players shift positions to maximize court coverage and comfort. Place your partner in their preferred position-whether that’s the left or right side of the court. This adjustment allows them to play from a place of confidence.
As the stronger player, you might take the left side (the odd side) to cover more court with your forehand. This positioning allows you to handle a larger portion of the play, alleviating pressure on your partner.
Playing more aggressively can shift the match dynamics. This doesn’t mean recklessly speeding up shots, but rather being proactive with positioning and dinks. By taking control of the game, you can prevent opponents from isolating your partner.
Aggressive positioning involves moving decisively and applying pressure, forcing your opponents to adapt and making it harder for them to exploit your partner’s weaknesses.
Success in pickleball, as in any team sport, depends on both effort and attitude. Zane stresses the importance of taking extreme ownership. This means accepting responsibility for the outcome and maintaining a positive attitude, regardless of your partner’s performance.
Encouragement and support can boost your partner’s confidence, leading to better performance. Being a good partner isn’t just about playing well; it’s also about fostering a positive environment.
Playing with a weaker partner can be challenging, but it also offers an opportunity for growth. By adopting Navratil’s strategies, you can turn a potentially frustrating situation into a rewarding experience. Whether through protecting your partner, strategic stacking, investing in training tools, aggressive play, extreme ownership, or supportive encouragement, there are many ways to elevate your partner’s game-and your own.
In the end, the goal is not just to win but to improve together, creating a harmonious and effective partnership on the court.
Переглядів: 19 602

Відео

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КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @-theslatemasons7428
    @-theslatemasons7428 6 годин тому

    I use this all the time… but afraid my elbow is getting jacked up .., golfers elbow

  • @juliemills6716
    @juliemills6716 9 годин тому

    I love Zane! he's been a big part of my Pickleball journey! May God bless his marriage and all that he puts his hand to accomplish!

  • @SawsyDawsy
    @SawsyDawsy 15 годин тому

    I love how Zane is still uploading parts of this video😂

  • @mccgunter
    @mccgunter 20 годин тому

    Hard to get the primary movement from the shoulder but you do keep your arm pretty much locked and have great use of the legs. I believe that you have other videos where you talk about the shoulder being the hinge.

  • @TennisCoachChip
    @TennisCoachChip День тому

    Guy invented the chainsaw serve. They made that illegal. he invented the finger flip spin serve. they made that illegal. Now he’s talking about bellybutton reconstructive surgery. The man knows how to work his way around the rulebook.

  • @choski76
    @choski76 2 дні тому

    Red lightvhas many proven benefits. Most people won't google the studies. 1898 Dr. simpson developed a use . NASA has been using it since 1983 However, amazon sells redlights. 10 by 10" LED panels sometimes in sale for $40. Schilling $500 units? What did you get paid? Your credibility is taking a big hit. Recommending a paddle? How much was your payment? Etc. Money has compromised your credibility.

  • @janaadams7958
    @janaadams7958 2 дні тому

    I don’t even know Zane personally and I’m weeping. What a beautiful wedding.❤

  • @t81629
    @t81629 2 дні тому

    Realized I've been doing all my volleys tennis style. Ugh, now I have to change my muscle memory.

  • @jeffdarcy6786
    @jeffdarcy6786 2 дні тому

    I loved the bit about tanking. 🤣 I can't bring myself to tank a game but, if I'm playing against weaker players (about half the time) and my side is ahead, I will definitely hit on purpose to the stronger player. If we end up falling behind, I'll back to targeting the weaker player and making harder shots (especially serves). Everyone agrees that it makes for better matches. By way of contrast, another player in one group just couldn't seem to control himself. Not only would he always continue targeting the weaker player, but he would do so by pounding the ball at them as hard as he could. He also turned into a major ball hog, barely letting his partners play at all. He knew better than to blame his partner or deluge them with unsolicited advice[1] but he still got disinvited from the group. [1] A lot of people give "advice" that's really blame. Protip: we can all read the subtext. "I'm giving you this tip because you keep screwing up." Just don't, folks. Use *positive* reinforcement as much as possible, and only offer advice if you're pretty sure it will be welcome.

  • @stevenwentzel4013
    @stevenwentzel4013 2 дні тому

    Zane, I really suck. Would you buy me a “Lobster”? 😂

  • @user-ii4yq2gn7r
    @user-ii4yq2gn7r 2 дні тому

    I LOVE IT !!! "Just F****** Tank" 😂😂

  • @Bentleym11
    @Bentleym11 2 дні тому

    Why are tennis players so good at pickleball 😅?

  • @sLasHeRxXx07
    @sLasHeRxXx07 2 дні тому

    I feel this. All the grind only to end up losing coz your partner can return the ball. Gotta learn how to take over games I guess

  • @mars0612g
    @mars0612g 3 дні тому

    so can i say whenever you're sort of doing underspin is trying to reduce the topspin?

  • @MyKillerTofu
    @MyKillerTofu 3 дні тому

    I can't believe Altaf's speech lasted 90 minutes.

  • @Bergarita
    @Bergarita 3 дні тому

    Kind of fun for me when I'm the weaker player. I just go into Robin mode (ie Batman and Robin). I just try to play solid. Not take too many aggressive shots and look for good opportunities for put aways.

  • @jadeb8431
    @jadeb8431 3 дні тому

    🎉🎉🎉congratulations!

  • @Dinkdifferent
    @Dinkdifferent 3 дні тому

    Love this! Sending it to all the poor people who are forced to play with me.

  • @davelimbaugh3730
    @davelimbaugh3730 3 дні тому

    This happens A LOT in rec play. After a few points, especially if I make a good shot and my less-skilled partner says, "good shot", I'll thank them and then ask if I can give them a "tip". If they say yes then I do, then keep explaining what I'm doing and why. Even if I know we're not going to win the game, I may be able to help my partner become a better player, and that can make the game rewarding - and sometimes fun! Of course if they just glower and me and say, "shut up and play", then I just focus on making each of my shots exactly as I intend and don't worry about them.

  • @samlin8089
    @samlin8089 3 дні тому

    i see some games where someone takes all the 3rd shots.

  • @marilynjackson5752
    @marilynjackson5752 3 дні тому

    I hate being the weak link!

  • @davidalsobrook2031
    @davidalsobrook2031 3 дні тому

    horrible...because you have to sit through two minutes of commercials. worst ever because of this

  • @obxpickleball
    @obxpickleball 3 дні тому

    Zane's hair looks like he had a rough night partying and just rolled out of bed.

  • @anwarsadat6825
    @anwarsadat6825 3 дні тому

    Congratulations to you both. Love your instruction videos. Please keep them coming. Best wishes to you both.

  • @michaelaugust9021
    @michaelaugust9021 3 дні тому

    Love this ZANE!!!!

  • @TracyDavis904
    @TracyDavis904 3 дні тому

    I thought that lobster ball machine was going to be like $300. I was wrong….

  • @lilrdjackofa
    @lilrdjackofa 3 дні тому

    Zane taking roids lately

  • @Istibadits
    @Istibadits 3 дні тому

    Change your partner or just play singles.

  • @Masterdebator881
    @Masterdebator881 3 дні тому

    Simple fix! Only playing singles now!

  • @thomasscheiber9828
    @thomasscheiber9828 4 дні тому

    congratulations Jen & Zane

  • @owenallenaz
    @owenallenaz 4 дні тому

    Tip #7: Play like complete dogwater as you psych yourself out while you attempt to prove you are the better player.

  • @evannatteford1784
    @evannatteford1784 4 дні тому

    Best tip in this video is buying them a ball machine lmao

  • @ShrimpCracka
    @ShrimpCracka 4 дні тому

    Ok but what if I suck and my partner is good? can we get a video for that?

  • @razrgu3838
    @razrgu3838 4 дні тому

    The way you picked your ‘weaker’ parter was not smart. I have to give a thumbs down

  • @user-dv4ej7lq2u
    @user-dv4ej7lq2u 4 дні тому

    Love that shirt Zane .. where did you get it?

  • @mattquit
    @mattquit 4 дні тому

    if it's half the court. both 5.0s should be able to ernie.

  • @ognahtanoj
    @ognahtanoj 4 дні тому

    you can't see it but this video was shared 10x as many times as it was liked.

  • @kyleanderwuji6461
    @kyleanderwuji6461 4 дні тому

    Another great video Zane! Loved the nasty Nelson this weekend! That was awesome. Quick question… New PB and Tennis club opening near me has these baskets hooked into the pole of the net. Also a white rectangular score marker is above it. Just seems ridiculous especially for ATPs and ernes. What do you think?

  • @mjconns
    @mjconns 4 дні тому

    Was this video planned ahead of time with coincidental release today or .... ?

  • @lauriechaseunscripted
    @lauriechaseunscripted 4 дні тому

    Thank you so much for this video. It was made for my spouse and me.

  • @weswes5876
    @weswes5876 4 дні тому

    But what do you do when you have an extremely bad partner, and they steal your shots (and miss them all)?

    • @CoachKyleZ
      @CoachKyleZ 4 дні тому

      Watch the game go downhill while you practice your drop shots and drives.

    • @Blazervitch
      @Blazervitch 3 дні тому

      I refer you to point #7 in the video

  • @bthekuta
    @bthekuta 4 дні тому

    Obviously, this is a troll video regarding the tanking, but as someone not in the pickleball scene, could someone explain to me what happened?

    • @johnclikeman5041
      @johnclikeman5041 4 дні тому

      Last weekend there was a Major League Pickleball tournament (team-style event with four-person teams), where Ben Johns, the #1 player in the world, looked disinterested the whole event, especially in the last match where his team got destroyed. Then a couple days later his brother (and teammate, who was also visibly checked out that tournament) Collin Johns sent an email which was leaked in which he said that he hates MLP because it punishes good players by pairing them with bad teammates.

  • @jaybar345
    @jaybar345 4 дні тому

    lol I see what you did there! Good video overall Zane!

  • @GIO_RUBBLE
    @GIO_RUBBLE 4 дні тому

    everybody love everybody

  • @everbard3071
    @everbard3071 4 дні тому

    If playing with a random partner, in a league or rec setting, step 1 is tell them they suck, you are much better, and let them know you'll be taking every shot you can reach. See how that goes.

  • @MetalEsquire
    @MetalEsquire 4 дні тому

    as a rec player (high int, low adv) we've all heard 'the only way to get better is to play with better people.' I find there are a ton of skills I can work on partnering with lower level players which transfer to higher-level play. (1) put-aways: if you don't put-away easy shots your opponents just hit to your partner. (2) consistency: if your partner is going to commit unforced errors (for example) %50 of the time, limiting your unforced errors can make the difference. (3) as you said, balancing over/aggression and maintaining proper court positioning/physical balance. (4) mentality: take the 'heightened' responsibility with you when partnering with someone better. Zane, YOU'RE my Lobster (lol.)

    • @hawker358
      @hawker358 3 дні тому

      'the only way to get better is to play with better people' When playing with weaker players, instead of hitting easy winners, aim for a specific spot where your opponent can hit a good return, work on your soft game etc. You are still working on your skills (hitting with a purpose), and I have found other players will tell you how much fun that game was when it contains longer rallies than they are used to.

  • @tommyjenkins4107
    @tommyjenkins4107 4 дні тому

    I tanked a game the other day. My partner poached everything and missed pretty much everything. So I poached a shot that I shouldn't have and told him see how it feel to get poached when not necessary. Also I missed a shot on purpose to end the game. I did it cuz I was frustrated by I didn't know whether to go for a shot or nit cuz he was taking a lot of my shots. And this player is a lower level than me too. But he knows he did it but didn't care.

  • @angelomazzuca6244
    @angelomazzuca6244 4 дні тому

    I have been playing with my partner, wife, for years and we have both a Lobster and pickleball Tutor machine; we still spate some! She is still the most knowledgeable of all the other women I attempt to play with. I always put my tail between my legs, eat my words, and beg her to be my partner.

  • @eaonwii4256
    @eaonwii4256 4 дні тому

    I love the passive aggressive energy in this video!

  • @hexfreedom3614
    @hexfreedom3614 4 дні тому

    Thanks for speaking from experience Zane.