Right Side Goat Dispenses Pickleball Wisdom
Tennis convert and pickleball phenom Collin Johns joins pickleball podcaster Greg Dow to discuss training, technique, and the torment of net cords
Step aside tennis and make way for pickleball - the fastest growing sport in America. Podcaster and pickleball pro Greg Dow sat down with right side legend Collin "CJ" Johns for an enlightening discussion on all things pickleball. From analyzing Johns' world-class game to tackling net cord injustice, the two pickleball pros served up a smorgasbord of insights for both casual and diehard fans alike.
The long-time tennis professional made waves when he transitioned to professional pickleball in 2018, teaming up with the left side GOAT Ben Johns. The dynamic duo quickly dominated the pro doubles scene, winning countless professional tournaments. Johns credits his singles background for developing skills like taking the ball out of the air and rolling cross court - shots that worked well with Ben's game. After years of honing his right side technique and chemistry with Ben, Johns has established himself as the elite right side player.
When asked about his daily training regimen, Johns emphasized mastering the right side over improving his singles game. "My efforts from that point forward have been to be as good as I can possibly be on the right side and be the perfect compliment to Ben," said Johns. While self-admittedly hurting his mixed doubles capabilities, Johns and Ben have developed an unparalleled system that teams struggle to beat.
Right off the bat, Johns highlighted the importance of positioning and shot selection above all else. Nailing positioning lets your skills shine. Choosing smart shots like blocking rather than forcing low-percentage attacks will win more points.
Johns described how he patiently resets balls rather than impulsively attacking. "I would rather reset it, make that almost every time and then let Ben hit a 60% attack five balls from now," Johns explained. "The likelihood of us winning the point has been increased." They punish teams by sustainably building Ben's attacking opportunities.
When asked about improving his mediocre mid-court game, Dow leaned on the right side guru for tips. Johns first stressed the importance of mastering mid-court, as most points are won and lost there. Crucial for rallying to the kitchen line, mid-court excellence provides more opportunities to attack.
Realizing this, Johns rigorously drilled mid-court resets targeting the kitchen. He focused on figuring out what worked through repetition - a dynamic process of incremental improvements. Johns emphasized proper mindset, recommending players casually approach mid-court resets despite the pace. "Hey bring your best shot at me, it's not going to bother me," described Johns. This relaxed mentality and early preparation results in solid mid-court play.
Dow also asked about ideal grip pressure during stressful shots like mid-court resets. However, Johns avoids coaching specific grip strength given people's subjective scales. He simply advises avoiding extremes like a death grip or barely gripping the paddle. Find your comfortable middle ground through experience.
The longer the rally, the more important grip strength management becomes. "The grip will naturally firm up as you're about to hit the ball," Johns explained. But no need to over grip - players often squeeze too hard on blocks.
Johns and Dow bonded over pickleball's most contentious issue - the dreaded net cord. Both players bemoaned net cords as partly random points decided by chance, not skill. Johns argued pro matches forbid temp nets because they're unfairly loose, letting too many balls go over. He wants standardized taut net tensions to reduce net cords.
Beyond altering physics, net cords also evoke psychological torment. They reward poor shot decisions that should be punishable, thought Johns. Nothing angers him more than opponents benefiting from haphazard net luck over his technical skills. Alas, little can be done in-game beyond enduring net cord misery. Perhaps equipment improvements will alleviate net cord woes.
Delving into quirkier topics, Dow wondered if Johns had attracted obsessive "groupies" among his female fans. Amused but gracious, Johns acknowledged having dedicated students and fans who especially appreciate his style of play. However, he clarified not interacting with extreme "groupies".
When asked about guilty pleasures, Johns divulged an endearing addiction to milk and cookies. He proudly downs gallons of milk weekly alongside copious cookies for dipping. The milk matters more than the accompanying cookies. For Dow however, homemade cookie milkshakes reign supreme.
Comparing physiques, the bulky 6'4" Dow weighed around 205 pounds, down significantly from a troubling 220 pound high. Motivated to improve his game, he aimed to cut down to 195 pounds. In contrast, the shorter Johns tipped the scales at a lean 170 pounds. Dow envied Johns' fitness and mobility.
Wrapping up the podcast, Johns returned to core positioning and shot selection as pickleball's most vital skills. Mastering these allows your natural physical skills to shine through.
Regularly analyze if you are positioned correctly and choosing appropriate shots. Doing so will rapidly boost your pickleball prowess regardless of your current skill level.
In the end, Johns and Dow bonded over their shared passion while deepening fans' pickleball wisdom. With more collaborations like this podcast, pickleball's meteoric rise will continue as more players discover the joys of America's fastest growing sport. Pickleball unites weekend warriors, fierce competitors, and insightful pros alike through playful rallies, endless strategy, and recurring net cord injustice.
Collin Johns Analyzes His World-Class Pickleball Game
When asked about daily training and drills, Johns emphasized total commitment to perfecting the right side. After Ben Johns recruited him in 2018, Collin focused singularly on becoming Ben's ideal partner and the world's best right side player. This strategic delegation Symbiotically elevated the team over maximizing individual play.
While improving the duo's synchronicity, Collin admits hurting his mixed doubles capabilities by tailoring his play towards Ben. But their system consistently overtakes teams with better individual talent. "The strength of the team unit is stronger than the individual players themselves," explained Johns.
The results speak for themselves. Early on, the Johns brothers defeated Wes Gabrielson and Matt Wright in a 2019 tournament final, overcoming Wright's nasty lefty slice attacks. Collin learned to counter mid-match by taking balls out of the air and rolling cross court winners. By tournament's end, his education bore fruit as the duo prevailed.
When asked if he remained the world's best right side partner regardless of left side teammate, Collin downplayed individual greatness. Game styles dictate partnerships more than raw skill, he argued. Matt Wright's more aggressive right side style may complement certain left side players better, for example.
Collin believes he can excel with any elite left side partner given enough playing time and chemistry development. "The faster we can pick up on each other's tendencies and what we do well, what we don't do well...the better team we're going to be," explained Johns. Quickly mimicking Ben's style powered past success with new MLP partner JW Johnson.
Collin Johns Reveals Mid-Court Mastery Secrets
Fellow right side player Dow leaned on Johns for mid-court tips, admitting difficulty consistently attacking from mid-court. Johns first underscored the importance of mid-court in dictating match outcomes. Excellent mid-court skills reliably reach the kitchen line, enabling more scoring opportunities.
Johns honed his mid-court game through focused repetition at the undervalued area. He set up a ball machine for downtime at a country club, relentlessly drilling corner targets. "I would just drill the heck out of mid-court," described Johns.
Equally key, Johns mastered proper mid-court mentality. Despite the pace, he advises calmly approaching resets as survivable nuisance. "It's a little plastic ball, you're far enough away, you're going to get a paddle on it," coached Johns. This composed readiness yields smooth resets instead of desperate flailing.
Dow wondered if grip tightness correlated with mid-court success. Though important, Johns rarely coaches exact grip strength since everyone's grip scales differently. Find your optimal firmness without over-gripping through experience. Let your grip naturally tighten slightly right before contact.
The Pickle House Fanatics Obsess Over Collin
Dow introduced Johns to his "Pickle House" buddies - Davis and Jericho - who idolize Collin. Amused to have such ardent fans, Johns appreciated the guys for adoring his blue-collar style, not just flashy shots. They eagerly study Collin's iconic mid-court form and backhand blocks for their own development.
While admitting some followers get enamored with his technical game, Johns hasn't encountered full-on groupie mania. He characterizes most fans as students who appreciate his strategic style, not crazed devotees. Though not endorsing groupiedom, Johns took his emerging stardom in stride.
In contrast, Dow unabashedly dreams of amassing his own throngs of attractive, middle-aged female groupies as incentive to keep improving his notoriously weak singles gameplay. For now, he happily settles for motivating Instagram comments from pickleball admirers. Johns jokingly suggested hiring the charismatic AJ Koller, famous for his ebullient personality and courtside dance moves, to generate Dow's desired fanbase.
Let's Solve the Net Cord Crisis Together
Given their shared frustration around net cords, Dow prodded Johns for potential solutions to pickleball's nagging nemesis. Johns launched into a nuanced takedown, analyzing from both physics and psychology perspectives.
Physically, Johns wants standardized taut net tensions to decrease net cords. He argues professional matches forbid looser temporary nets because they're unfair - letting the most balls go over. Recently, tournament nets seem too loose, yielding more luck-based net cords.
Beyond physics, Johns highlighted the mental anguish caused by rewarding low-percentage shots. Mediocre attacked balls mysteriously dropping over provoke visceral reactions.
"Nothing annoys me more than someone getting rewarded for that dumb decision," vented Johns. Dow empathized wholeheartedly, feeling net cords unfairly decide too many points.
While little can be done mid-match, Johns hopes addressing equipment issues like insufficiently tight nets could alleviate the epidemic. For now, all players can commiserate together over net cord injustices. Perhaps one day, pickleball brains will finally solve the net cord crisis.
Guilty Pleasures and Groupie Dreams with Greg and Collin
Amidst serious strategic discussions, Dow lightheartedly asked Johns about any scandalous guilty pleasures. Laughing, Johns revealed a wholesome addiction to milk and cookies. He proudly pounds gallons of milk weekly alongside bountiful cookies.
Amused, Dow confessed his own cookie milkshake guilty pleasure. He elaborated on mashing cookies into milk with a spoon for maximum flavor decadence. Johns diplomatically characterized milk as his one true love, with cookies playing an accompaniment role.
When conversation turned towards fitness, the bulky Dow disclosed currently weighing around 205 pounds. Standing 6'4", he slimmed down significantly from a troubling high of 220 pounds. Now motivated to improve his agility and singles play, Dow aimed to cut below 200 pounds.
In contrast, Johns tipped the scales at a lean 170 pounds with his sub-6-foot frame. Dow envied Collin's svelte physique and effortless mobility around the court. Perhaps shedding pounds will help Dow emulate Johns' smooth mid-court elegance.
Amusingly, Dow also asked Johns if any female groupies pursued the newly minted pickleball pro. Collin insisted he steered clear of such devotees. Dow then unabashedly shared his goal of attracting dozens of attractive, middle-aged female fans through pickleball fame. Laughing at Dow's protaganistic dreams, Johns suggested recruiting the charismatic AJ Koller to generate Dow's desired fanbase.
Final Tips from the Pickleball Master
Concluding the podcast, Johns returned to core positioning and shot selection as pickleball's most vital skills. Mastering these allows your natural physical skills to shine through.
Regularly analyze if you are positioned correctly and choosing appropriate shots. Doing so will rapidly boost your pickleball prowess regardless of your current skill level.
Rather than flashy shots, sound fundamentals like positioning and shot choice enable lasting improvements. Even amateur enthusiasts can surge upwards by following this advice. With more collaborations between pros like Johns and Dow, pickleball's meteoric rise will continue as more players discover the joys of America's fastest growing sport.
Summary:
The "Dinking with Dow" podcast unites tennis convert Collin Johns and former tennis player Greg Dow to discuss mastering pickleball and lament net cord injustice. Dow looks to the "right side goat" Johns for training wisdom from one of pickleball's ascendant stars.
Despite hurting his mixed doubles play, Johns focused for years solely on becoming Ben Johns' perfect right side partner. Their total dedication to the team over individuals powered unparalleled success through chemistry and delegated roles. Johns stresses sound fundamentals like positioning and shot selection over flashy strokes - skills amateurs can implement.
When dissecting his training, Johns reveals rigorously targeting mid-court for its importance deciding points. Through repetitive drilling, he honed the nuances of blocking pace and redirecting to the kitchen. Johns urges players cultivate proper mid-court mentality by casually resetting, not panicking. Let the grip naturally tighten before contact without over squeezing.
Amusingly, Johns meets his most devoted fans - the "Pickle House" crew who obsess over his technical excellence. Dow dreams of amassing dozens of attractive female pickleball groupies through his improving game. Laughing over their guilty pleasures like milk and cookies, the two bond over shared frustrations around net cords. Johns advocates for regulated tight net tensions to reduce the painful plague of net cords.
In closing, Johns reiterates focusing on fundamentals like positioning and shot selection above flashy skills. Regularly mastering these critical basics can rapidly improve any player's game. With pros generously sharing insights like on this podcast, pickleball's surge in popularity will continue as more players fall for its strategic charms and member camaraderie.
No comments:
Post a Comment