Effortlessly Destroy Your Flicks and Speed-Ups: The Set and Snap Technique

Zane Navratil lays out the pro-favored technique for effortless attacking power. Master it and you'll be the "Flick Wizard" of your local club in no time.

Have you ever wondered why JW Johnson's flick looks so effortless while yours feels rushed? Or why Gabe Tardio's signature forehand speed-up appears so smooth compared to... well, everyone else on earth?

The answer lies in a fundamental attacking technique that Zane Navratil calls the "Set and Snap" method, a game-changing approach that applies to virtually every attacking shot in pickleball.

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Understanding the Set and Snap Fundamentals

The Set and Snap is a technique where advanced pickleball players set their wrist position completely before beginning their forward motion.

This creates the illusion of having plenty of time to hit the shot, whereas amateur players often appear rushed because their body and paddle motion continue right up until the point of contact.

But it's not about flash; the Set and Snap technique brings consistency and power to your short game.

Cock the wrist as the ball approaches
Brush up for maximum topspin
Snap through on contact

There's a key distinction Zane establishes right out of the gate: Amateurs should master each new shot first without using any wrist at all; only when that feels comfortable and consistent should wrist motion be incorporated into the technique.

Here's how you can start applying this pro-favored technique – with and without wrist – in four common offensive scenarios:

1. Forehand Off the Bounce

The forehand off the bounce is the first attack to master. As the ball approaches and you decide to attack, cock your wrist back. This positioning allows you to brush up the back of the ball much more effectively than maintaining a neutral wrist position.

Without Using Your Wrist:

Start by getting comfortable hitting this shot without any wrist involvement. Set your wrist position and ensure it remains in the same position at both the start and end of your swing. This consistency is crucial for developing proper mechanics.

Adding Wrist for Advanced Players:

Once you've mastered the basic motion, you can drop the paddle head down slightly and windshield wiper your hand to create additional spin and deception. This subtle wrist movement generates extra pace while maintaining control.

2. Forehand Out of the Air

The out-of-the-air forehand speed-up follows nearly identical mechanics to the off-the-bounce version. Begin by working on the shot without any wrist involvement, focusing on clean contact and proper positioning.

Once comfortable, you can add wrist movement to disguise the shot, add pace, or increase spin. You can generate extra pace by snapping your wrist through the shot, or create additional spin by snapping your wrist upwards.

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3. Backhand Off the Bounce

The backhand off-the-bounce attack differs significantly from the forehand version. Currently, almost nobody attacks off the bounce with one-handed backhands, though Navratil suspects this may change in the future as players discover the technical validity of this approach.

Instead, players predominantly use two-handed backhands to attack off the bounce. Regardless of which two-handed backhand method you employ, the fundamental principle remains the same: lay your left wrist back to brush off the back of the ball.

Wrist Techniques for Backhand Attacks:

You can utilize your wrist in two different ways on the backhand.

First, you can snap your left wrist through the ball for added pace
Second, you can snap your wrist upwards to generate more spin

Anna Leigh Waters exemplifies this technique beautifully, laying her wrist back, dropping the paddle head down, and brushing up the back of the ball with incredible speed. She also employs the windshield wiper motion with her left hand, executing the movement so quickly that it's almost imperceptible.

4. One-Handed Backhand Out of the Air

The one-handed backhand flick out of the air represents the most signature shot in modern pickleball. Ben Johns, while not the first to hit this backhand roll, perfected it and made it his signature move.

Executing the Roll Without Wrist:

To hit the flick, lay your wrist back so the paddle head is more or less parallel with your body. From there, brush up the back of the ball using your shoulder to generate topspin.

Adding Wrist for Power and Spin:

When you decide to incorporate wrist movement, you have two options.

First, you can pull your wrist back to snap through the ball for added pace
Second, you can drop the paddle head down and snap upwards to generate more spin.

JW Johnson, known as the "Flick Wizard," exemplifies the power of wrist-based flick shots. His power and spin are generated almost entirely from his wrist snap, with remarkably little movement in the rest of his body. This efficiency is what makes his flick so devastating and difficult to defend against.

Implementing Set and Snap Into Your Game

The Set and Snap technique is something that any pickleball player can add to their game, regardless of skill level. The key is progression:

Master the fundamental motion without wrist involvement first
Then gradually add wrist movement for additional power and spin as your fundamentals solidify

By understanding and implementing these four attacking variations, you'll develop the consistency and control that separates amateur players from professionals.

The difference isn't always about raw power or athleticism, but rather about proper positioning, timing, and the strategic use of wrist movement at the right stage of your development.