WORST Pickleball Strategy MOST Beginners Believe
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- čas přidán 20. 03. 2024
- In pickleball, there's a phrase that often echoes across the courts, "Stop and hit." Yet, as Zane Navratil would argue, this strategy rarely proves to be the success that it's often purported to be. In fact, stopping to hit almost always fails to enhance pickleball for any player.
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The rationale behind "stop and hit" is understandable, especially for beginners just learning the sport. Picture this: a novice pickleball player eagerly rushes towards the ball, swinging with all their might, only to find themselves off balance and struggling to recover for the next shot. It's a scenario that many can relate to, and it's precisely where the appeal of "stop and hit" lies - in its promise of stability and control.
However, upon closer inspection, this approach reveals its flaws. It's a bit like trying to navigate a tightrope while wearing lead shoes. Sure, you might feel grounded, but you're also severely limiting your mobility and agility - two qualities that are essential for mastering the dynamic rhythm of pickleball.
Enter the alternative: "gather and hit." This nuanced approach emphasizes fluidity and adaptability, traits that are vital for success on the court. Instead of coming to a sudden halt before each shot, players are encouraged to maintain a sense of momentum, gracefully transitioning from movement to strike without missing a beat.
To illustrate this concept, imagine a player equipped not with a racket, but with a water bottle - a simple yet ingenious tool for visualizing balance and coordination. As they move across the court, the water inside the bottle serves as a tangible indicator of their body's alignment. When they stop abruptly to hit, the water sloshes chaotically, mirroring the instability of their stance. But when they gather their momentum and seamlessly execute their shot, the water remains steady, a silent testament to their poise and control.
Practicing "gather and hit" isn't just about refining technique; it's about cultivating a mindset of adaptability and resilience. By learning to flow with the rhythm of the game, players can respond more effectively to unexpected challenges, whether it's a tricky lob or a sudden change in direction.
Of course, it's essential to acknowledge that every player is at a different stage in their pickleball journey. For beginners, the simplicity of "stop and hit" may provide a helpful starting point, offering a sense of security amidst the whirlwind of the court. However, as players progress and refine their skills, it's crucial to embrace the fluidity of "gather and hit," allowing for greater versatility and finesse in their gameplay.
In essence, the debate between "stop and hit" and "gather and hit" isn't just about technique - it's about philosophy. It's about recognizing that in the ever-evolving dance of pickleball, rigidity will only hold you back. - Sport
Hey...awesome job last week BTW!!!
Thank you! Congrats on your great playing last weekend! 👊🏻
Great content man! I always find it funny when random CZcams commenters try to say you’re wrong. It stems from how few Pickleball players are fans of or even know the name of one pro Pickleball player. It’s a very low percentage of people sadly.
Love it. Always thought it was stupid to stop and hit. It’s not like my momentum just stops. I understand the concept but I started off playing singles and I never really just stopped to hit the ball.
Zane,
So where do split steps come in, or are you suggesting not to do them?
Zane, what a GOAT. He made up a pickleball strategy video just to shill his energy drink. Go ahead Zane, heart this, you know you want to ;)
Thank you Zane! “Pause and Punch?” “Compose and Crush?” “Slow then Go?” Always looking for ways to say it that my beginner students will remember.
Hey Zane, I remember you mentioned on one of your videos that having a drive is not a must have to play high level pickleball. However there are times where one has to capitalize on a sitting high dead ball. Could you please make a comprehensive drive tutorial. There's a lot of different opinion out there about grip style, back swing, open/closed stance, finishing (on the other shoulder vs answering the phone), point of contact(slightly closed face vs flat), 70% power vs hitting hard, FOOTWORK, etc.
Thanks for the explanation. I definately fall in the "plant your feet" catagory. Time to start gathering pace (and hopefully placement above the net).
I was taught stop and hit, and it kills smooth motion. It also makes you fall a bit back unconciously to keep balanced when abruptly stopping ...which throws shots off for me.
Gathering makes sense, but I will note it's a lot easier to control your speed and momentum when you know roughly where the ball is going to be. Still, I would say the way I rush the kitchen I'm usually too committed to actually stop and hit either, so maybe more of a "stalking" approach, a little slower but under control and plan to keep moving through that shot. Worth a try. Thanks for the idea
While I've only been playing a few months, I have started to do the gather an hit. I am not trying to use my body's momentum to power the ball, but I don't stop. I also don't try to drive the ball while moving forward like this because I will then hit it out or into the net, but I carefully control my running movement while concentrating on good form and controlled contact with the ball. I've had good results.
I came from tennis so I always hit while on the move. It irked me when someone said i needed to stop and hit. I completely agree that if you new and starting out, stop and hit to reduce variables in your hits. But also flow with your momentum!
Depends on the depth, speed, and height of return, and what type of return your doing: drop, drive, hybrid. I do agree that just stopping and hitting is not the answer. Really enjoyed your great Doubles run last week especially beating the Johns Bros! How would you rate that win in your pickleball career?
That's an awesome indoor court. I might be a little jealous.
you provided a very well example with the water bottle
That’s it. I’m not carrying my open water bottle on the court any more.
I like the idea of gather. I know for sure rushing through a shot doesn’t work.
What place is this? U have two kitchens on one venue
Awesome taking down the Johns!
📝 **bring open water bottle to rec play**
The point of stopping is to get a better look at the ball for more accurate shots. It's like trying to take a pic of a moving subject with a moving camera.
That’s a part of it, but there’s much more than that. Stopping allows you to go in any direction the ball goes in, and it allows you to hit the ball without your momentum effecting the shot.
Interesting. I tend to stop and hit. I need to do a better job of moving forward towards the kitchen. Thanks, Zane
This advice falls counter to how we're taught in tennis, where you should always pause a split second before hitting the shot, and never to run through your shot.
Tennis is different because you're staying on the baseline for the most part in singles (and sometimes doubles). If you're driving in pickleball you should be aggressively moving forward afterwards, which is why Zane says you need to maintain forward momentum, just not run through the shot.
@@namtran512 But what about for approach shots in tennis? The expectation is for you to hit that shot, and move up to the net. It's always taught that for every single approach shot, you pause right before hitting it. The only time you wouldn't is if you don't have the time to pause. The argument I am making that hitting a drive (in pickleball) on the move has the advantage of getting you to the net quicker, but, the disadvantage in that your shot will be less stable than if you had a split second to establish your feet before hitting the shot.
@@GruMoneyThe court is entirely too small in pickleball for you to hit and wait, if you're not crashing immediately after a drive you're gonna be in a bad spot and you're just basically stuck. Approach shots are completely different compared to driving and crashing.
Is that filtered tap water or your city's finest chlorinated water? Electrolytes taste better without the chlorine :)
This advice seems strained and with no real research or actual experience other than an advanced player
I guess Zane is just “advanced” 😂 you aren’t a fan of pro Pickleball i take it. This guy is a killer. His research is being one of and playing against the top players in the world.
Says some rando 3.0 player on the internet
Actual experience? This man just got silver at PPA Austin and has a bronze from an earlier event. He coaches people too, and I’m assuming that other pros are doing this too.
Do your own research friend, they actually changed the pickleball rules due in part to Zane's innovations. (google "chainsaw serve") to begin your research! 🤣
You do understand what "actual experience" is right? (He even has his own signature paddle lol)
I see this as most applicable for transitioning, whether it's 2nd, 3rd or later in the point if moved back.