Unveiling Ben Johns' Secret Strategy For Court Domination

Hey there, its your coach, Jordan Briones 

When people ask, “Why is Ben Johns so dominant?” the easy answer is talent or athleticism.

But let’s get real... plenty of players have talent. What separates Ben is his mastery of three core shots that every high level right handed player on the left side needs to have in their toolbox.

These aren’t flashy. They’re not trick shots. They’re high percentage, high pressure tools that help control points and force errors. So if you want to take your game to the next level on the left side, study these three shots.

1. Handling Dinks to Your Backhand

This might be the most underrated skill at the pro level and Ben has it locked in.

When opponents target the outside foot with cross court dinks, most players get uncomfortable or passive. Ben doesn’t flinch. He uses strong, simple resets to the middle or applies pressure back cross court with his backhand.

Key takeaways:

• Stay low and balanced with your paddle prepared early

• Use your legs, not your wrist, to guide the shot

• Be disciplined about aiming for the middle or backhand side. 

If you can stay consistent under pressure here, you force your opponent to change their game plan.

2. The Topspin Dink

This is where Ben takes a neutral rally and flips it into control. His forehand topspin dink is one of the best in the game, especially cross court into an opponent’s backhand.

Why it works:

• It keeps the ball low and dipping fast

• It adds disguise. It looks like a regular dink, but there’s pressure built in

• It opens up the court for a speed up

How to develop it:

• Start with paddle face slightly closed

• Brush up on the ball for spin

• Stay aggressive, but controlled. This isn’t a hard shot, it’s a smart one

Ben uses this to put constant pressure on the other team without overreaching.

3. The Topspin Speed Up

This is the final piece and when done well, it ends points.

Ben is a master at identifying dead or high dinks and turning them into offensive opportunities. He doesn’t just swing hard... he adds topspin and targets body zones that are hard to defend (like the right hip or paddle shoulder).

Keys to the speed up:

• Don’t rush it: wait for the right ball

• Load with your legs and rotate through your hips

• Add topspin to dip the ball quickly over the net

• Target areas that jam your opponent, not just open space

Ben makes it look easy, but every shot is calculated.

Final Thought: Build Your Left Side Game with Purpose

If you're a right handed player on the left side, you don’t need to reinvent your game. You need to sharpen these three shots:

• A backhand that can absorb pressure

• A forehand topspin dink that controls pace and space

• A speed up that’s timed and targeted

Ben Johns isn’t dominant because he has a hundred shots. He’s dominant because he’s disciplined with the ones that matter.

Study the patterns, drill with intention, and make every touch count.

That’s how champions play.

See you on the court, 

Jordan Briones