Ep. 565 | Fast Hands in Pickleball: The Science of Reaction Time with Zane Navratil

Jan 27

Want to improve your reaction time in pickleball? Three-time Major League Pickleball champion Zane Navratil and performance expert Dr. Erik Korem dive deep into the fascinating science behind developing lightning-fast hands on the court.

From professional baseball to pickleball, discover how elite athletes develop extraordinary reaction speeds through sophisticated mental models, visual training, and deliberate practice. Zane shares insights from his journey from tennis state champion to professional pickleball player, while Dr. Korem unpacks cutting-edge research on performance optimization.

Learn:

The hidden connection between mental models and reaction speed
Why traditional vision tests might be limiting your performance
Key focus points that separate elite players from novices
The truth about training tools like stroboscopic glasses
A systematic approach to developing faster hands at any level

ABOUT Zane Navratil

Zane Navratil, age 28, started playing pickleball when he was 18, after claiming three high school tennis State Championships in Wisconsin. He played Division III tennis at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he earned a degree in Accounting and achieved Academic All-American status. Upon graduation, Zane moved to Milwaukee, took a position as an auditor for Deloitte & Touche, and earned his CPA license. Pickleball, however, was calling his name, so he left the business world in 2020 to play and teach pickleball full time. It didn’t take long for Zane to achieve high accolades in pickleball. His presence and performance at recent tournaments is remarkable – he has earned over 100 medals in professional tournaments and 3 Major League Pickleball titles. Zane regularly teaches pickleball clinics across the country and is known for a teaching style that is both efficient and methodical, as well as engaging and fun. He has helped thousands of players improve their game through his clinics and private lessons. His driven and competitive personality is well balanced with his silly sense of humor and ability to have fun with his partners, competitors, and students. When Zane isn’t on the court, you’ll likely find him at home with his fiance, Jenny, and his puppy, Murray, either sitting on a patio enjoying a good taco or on a hike.

ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST

The Blueprint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals. Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself.

On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense.

Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, a health and fitness app that unlocks the power of wearables by providing you with daily personalized recommendations to enhance your mind, body, and recovery.