Their shared focus: fine-tuning Dillon's shot accuracy, court awareness, and third-shot drops—common challenges in the fast-growing sport.
Thank you to Uptime Energy for making this video possible! Uptime Energy gives me smooth and sustained energy to power through my day! Check them out here!
https://www.uptimeenergy.com/
Level up your practice sessions and game with a Lobster ball machine. Use code ZANE5 for 5% off any pickleball machine and accessories.
https://lobstersports.com/collections/pickleball-machines
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!
https://www.aim7.com/?via=zane
Grab your next ProXR Signature or Sweet Spot Max Paddle on my website!
https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/shop/
Subscribe to my newsletter to stay up to date with me on and off the court!
https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/newsletters
Tune into Game+ Network, the official home of Major League Pickleball in Canada!
https://gameplusnetwork.com
Har-Tru has all your pickleball court equipment needs. Use discount code ZANE10 to receive 10% off your purchase.
https://hartru.com/
Zane’s on Cameo!!
https://cameo.com/zanenavratilpickleball
Thorlo Socks are the best! Engineered with varying levels of padding, their pickleball socks provide maximum comfort and support. Get yours here.
https://thorlo.com/pages/pickleball
Recover with Yobow, the most compact massage pistol! Each purchase includes a free Yobow warm-up band ($25 value) and free US shipping!
https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/shop/
For those new to the pickleball phenomenon, it's a sport combining elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, with a competitive yet accessible edge that has recently gained immense popularity. Austin Dillon, typically found behind the wheel in the NASCAR Cup Series, is among a growing number of professional athletes embracing the sport, drawn to its intense rallies and nuanced strategy.
Dillon’s goal for this session was simple but familiar to many amateur players: improving his "kitchen" play and perfecting his "third-shot drop." The kitchen, or non-volley zone, is a pivotal area in pickleball where points are often won or lost through short, controlled shots known as “dinks.” And the third-shot drop, a gentle shot intended to land softly in the opponent’s kitchen, is a hallmark of higher-level pickleball strategy. Zane, known in the PPA and MLP for his ability to execute both with finesse, was more than willing to lend his expertise.
Throughout their session, Navratil identified Austin’s tendency to take large, sweeping swings, which can throw off timing and control. Navratil’s advice for players, including Dillon, was straightforward but effective: “Do the bare minimum.” This minimalist approach encourages players to shorten their swings, optimizing control without sacrificing spin. Dillon, accustomed to high-speed precision in his NASCAR career, seemed to find this approach both challenging and enlightening.
Zane's coaching extended to shot mechanics, grip strength, and paddle positioning. “If you try to do too much with your swing, especially when dinking, you create room for error,” Navratil explained, urging Dillon to adopt a more compact motion. At one point, the analogy of driving came into play—a comparison that likely resonated with Dillon. “If you floor it too soon, you can spin out. It’s similar with dinks and drops: a more measured acceleration helps maintain control.”