(Why Zane says the slice is dying — and what that actually means for YOU.)
If you’ve been on Pickleball TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen Zane Navratil’s hot take: “The slice is basically dead.”
He doubles down by saying topspin is now the clearly superior option because carbon paddles generate so much spin that slice is outdated.
And rec players have opinions about it — from “he’s totally right” to “WRONG WRONG WRONG.”
So what’s actually true? Should you slice less? Does this apply to volleys? Groundstrokes? Returns? Drops? Dinks?
And most importantly: what should an intermediate rec player actually do?
Let’s break it down in plain English.
First: Zane Isn’t Wrong… But He’s Not Talking About YOU
At the pro level, he’s absolutely right:
- Raw carbon faces give insane topspin.
- Slices float more, sit up more, and get attacked more.
- A slicy return often feeds the opponent a better 3rd-shot drive.
- And if you have time to set up a “big slice,” you also have time to hit a high-quality topspin ball — which is harder to attack:
That’s legit, and it’s what he’s talking about. But here’s the part rec players keep missing:
👉 None of this means slice is “dead” at 3.0–4.0.
👉 It definitely doesn’t mean YOU should stop using it.
👉 And it absolutely doesn’t apply to every part of the court.
Even Zane’s commenters are pointing this out:
- “Different levels should use different tools.”
- “The slice isn’t dead.”
- “Pros still slice dinks and drops at the highest level.”
This is the key: the right shot depends on your level, your mechanics, and the situation.
Let’s break down what actually works at intermediate rec play.
Part 1: When Slice Hurts You (and Zane is right)
1. On fast balls or rushed contact
If you’re late or off balance, slicing creates floaty, high, attackable balls. That’s true at every level.
2. On aggressive returns
A slice return does give big-hitter opponents more topspin to work with on their 3rd shot. If your opponents drive hard → slice isn’t your friend.
3. On speed-ups
Slicing speed-ups from the kitchen makes your shot sit up. Topspin or flat bumps are simply tighter and harder to counter.
Zane is right here.
4. On high, waist-level balls
Slicing these balls floats them. A topspin roll gives you dip, shape, and pace.
Where Zane is 100% correct for you:
- Speed-ups
- Volleys
- Standing resets
- High balls
- Attacking balls
Yes: ditch the slice in these moments.
Part 2: Where Slice is Still ELITE (and Zane knows it)
This is where beginners and intermediates confuse the message.
1. Dinks
Soft slice dinks keep the ball low, skidding, unpredictable, and force weaker players to pop up.
Almost EVERY top pro does this — JW, J-Dub, Daescu, Humberg, Kawamotos.
2. Drops
A gentle slice drop is still one of the easiest ways to soften a hard ball. Especially for intermediates who can’t yet roll heavy topspin.
3. Defensive resets
Backspinning a reset slows the ball down and helps you regain balance. One of the most stable defensive tools in pickleball.
4. Low balls below your knees
Slicing low balls is WAY easier than trying to topspin them. It floats? Yes. But it also buys you time.
5. Balls out of the air on lunge reaches
You can’t topspin a ball you’re stretching for. A soft slice float reset is correct.
So… What Should YOU Actually Do?
Here’s your level-appropriate, no-nonsense guide:
Tip 1: When in doubt, hit a flat bump instead of a big slice
Zane’s best advice for intermediates is this: stop carving giant slices. Hit neutral, flat, controlled bumps instead.
A flat bump:
- stays lower
- doesn’t float
- doesn’t feed opponents spin
- is more accurate
- is easier to prepare for the next ball
This is a GREAT adjustment for rec players.
Tip 2: Use topspin when time + balance are on your side
If you’re balanced, feet set, ball in your strike zone → topspin is king.
Use it on:
- high balls
- attackable balls
- counters
- aggressive drives
- balls above your waist
You don’t need Zane-level topspin — just a little upward brush helps your ball dip instead of sail.
Tip 3: Keep slicing your dinks, drops, and defensive resets
This is a mountain most pros will die on: backspin still rules the soft game.
Why?
Because a soft slice:
- makes your dinks skid
- keeps balls low
- slows down the pace
- forces pop-ups
- prevents hard counterattacks
- lets you reset under pressure
Intermediate players benefit from slice in the soft game even more than pros do.
Tip 4: Don’t use “pro advice” without filtering it through your level
One of the best community comments said it perfectly:
“Most players will never make 5.0. Advice should be level-specific.”
Exactly.
What Zane says for his game is true. But applying pro-level rules blindly to 3.0–4.0 is a mistake.
You don’t have their speed, their footwork, their spin, their resets, or their timing.
So don’t copy their absolutes — copy their principles.
The Real Answer Isn’t Slice OR Topspin — It’s When
Here’s the truth most people miss:
**The slice isn’t dead.
The slice isn’t alive. The slice is situational.**
➡️ Use topspin when the ball is high and you’re balanced.
➡️ Use flat bumps when rushed or uncertain.
➡️ Use slice in the soft game and on defensive resets.
➡️ And stop treating any shot as “always good” or “always bad.”
If you want to play smarter — not harder — start paying attention to ball height, balance, and timing. Those matter way more than choosing “slice vs topspin.”
And once you learn when each tool is right?
Your whole game opens up — and suddenly you’re not playing pickleball…
you’re solving it.
