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How Ben Johns tilts matches in his favor
Send us your best amateur pickleball highlights!
There's no doubting that Ben Johns is the best men’s pickleball player in the sport’s history. But how did he reach that pinnacle, and how has he maintained his level of dominance for so long?
The answer sounds a lot easier than it really is: He just doesn’t make bad decisions. He rarely attacks balls from a low position and he doesn’t try to hit hero shots when he’s off balance — he just plays the percentages and takes the win. He breaks down his thought process below.
Also in this issue:
This shot was cold blooded 🥶
Stay up to date on the latest MLP trades 🔁
Join pickleball industry leaders on Necker Island 🏝️
Send us your best highlights 🎥
Get the latest Engage paddles for 20% off 🤑
Let’s get cookin’. 🧑🍳
AMATEUR HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
This was cold blooded
There’s a lot to unpack in today’s highlight.
As if the guy on the right’s pants weren’t embarrassment enough, in the screenshot above he is suffering one of the most demeaning body bags we’ve seen in recent memory.
He actually just made a pretty impressive track down to keep the point alive, but now he’s truly in no man’s land, and his opponent can’t resist. The good news is it appears these guys are all friends, so hopefully there’s no beef in future matches.
We’re making this shot our new goal for every game going forward.
🔗 Check out this highlight on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok
SUBMIT YOUR HIGHLIGHT
Got a clip worth sharing?
Got a highlight clip worth sharing? We’re looking for the best amateur pickleball moments to feature in The Kitchen’s Top 10 Amateur Pickleball Highlights of the Month on YouTube.
First place will receive a prize from a selection that includes:
A $500 DoorDash gift card
The Kitchen merch
Pickleball gear
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR CLIPS
📤 Upload your video via wetransfer.com and send to [email protected].
✍️ Include your name and the location where you were playing in the subject line.
🎥 Videos must be filmed horizontally.
🎬 Please limit submissions to two clips per person.
Whether it’s a clutch point, a wild rally, an insane trick shot or pure pickleball chaos — we want to see it.
Good luck, and we can’t wait to watch your highlights.
PICKLEBALLERS
Ben Johns explains how he tilts pickleball matches in his favor
In an episode of Pickleballers last year, Ben Johns explained to co-hosts Roscoe Bellamy and Jared Paul that a lot of his success and consistency boils down to decision making.
He attacks when he's supposed to attack, and he plays it safe when he's supposed to play it safe.
Johns pointed out in the interview that consistency often gets confused or mistaken for playing conservatively. That's not exactly the right way to look at it, he said.
"With consistency, most people mean not missing a lot," Johns said. "To me, it's more important to be consistent in terms of your level. You shouldn't have a lot of dips in your in your play."
That means a player -- like Johns, for example -- can still be aggressive in terms of applying pressure and making opponents feel uncomfortable, while also being consistent.
Johns breaks it down like this: There are times when he could start a firefight and be neutral or slightly favored to win that exchange. But if he waits for a better opportunity, the odds shift more in his favor -- so he could now have a 60% chance to win the point instead of a 50% or 55% chance to win the point.
Over the years he has become a master at knowing when to strike and when to be patient, and you don't see him trying to attack from a low-percentage position very often, if at all.
"I always encourage players -- if you see an attackable ball and you feel like you can attack properly, you have to do it," Johns said. "Because there's also unseen percentages in there if you pass up those opportunities."
Looking for more Pickleballers episodes? Find all past episodes here, and be on the lookout for the first episode of Season 3 later this week.
THE PROS
Major League Pickleball offseason trade roundup
Several Major League Pickleball trades have been announced since the offseason trade window opened on Jan. 28, and we expect to see more in the coming weeks ahead of the first trade deadline, which is Feb. 15.
Also on Feb. 15, teams will be required to make their keeper selections. In an effort to make sure that there is some roster turnover each year, MLP rules will require most teams to drop at least one player from their 2025 roster.
Teams will then fill out their remaining roster spots via the free-agency draft, which is scheduled for Feb. 27.
Below is a list of all the trades that have been made (so far) during the offseason trade window.
Check our running MLP trade roundup regularly, as more trades are expected to be announced between now and Feb. 15.
FEB. 1
- Atlanta Bouncers receive Kaitlyn Christian.
- Texas Ranchers receive Victoria DiMuzio and cash.
JAN. 31
- Chicago Slice receive Zane Navratil.
- New Jersey 5s receive cash.
JAN. 31
- Atlanta Bouncers receive Jay Devilliers.
- Miami Pickleball Club receives Eric Roddy and cash.
JAN. 30
- Los Angeles Mad Drops receive Max Freeman.
- Chicago Slice receive Hunter Johnson and cash.
FEATURED STORY
Third annual Necker Island Pickleball Forum will bring key stakeholders together
Few spots remain for one of the most exclusive pickleball experiences in the world. The third-annual Necker Island Pickleball & Pro-am Forum is set for March 8-13, and it’s truly a bucket-list trip for pickleball lovers and luxury travelers alike.
Spend your days on the court and off with top pros including Roscoe Bellamy, Hunter & Yates Johnson, Connor Garnett, Allyce Jones, Lucy Kovalova, Meghan Dizon, AJ Koller, and JOOLA teaching pro Eric White.
Other attendees this year include Drew Brees, Tiffany Haddish and Sir Richard Branson, alongside other notable guests joining for an unforgettable week on Necker Island.
Guests will enjoy daily clinics, open play and an unforgettable Pro-Am tournament competing alongside PPA pros and an incredible lineup of celebrity guests, all set within the ultra-luxury experience of Necker Island. Throughout the week, guests will also enjoy live musical entertainment, curated island experiences and inspiring talks from leaders in sports and pickleball.
At its core, this event is about connection and community — bonding with an extraordinary group of people over the amazing sport of pickleball in one of the most breathtaking settings in the world. It also represents a rare opportunity for select brands, offering direct access to a highly influential, engaged audience in an intimate, premium setting. If you’re looking for the right group to align your brand with, this is it.
There are also options to split rooms on Necker or Moskito Island, making this once-in-a-lifetime trip even more accessible.
🔗 Interested in attending this year's Necker Island Pickleball Forum? Click here to learn more.
GEAR
Engage offering huge sale on latest paddles
For three days only, Engage is offering 20% off all paddles on its website. And because you subscribe to this newsletter, you can use code “20Kitchen” for an ADDITIONAL 20% off. Here are a few of the best deals:
Engage Alpha Pro: Engage's latest model was designed as a power paddle that is still controllable for most players, compared to many other modern paddles that have prioritized power above all else. That means you can end a point when you have a good opportunity to do so, but you're also not going to spray the ball all over the park. Was $259.99, now $166.40 with code “20Kitchen” … SHOP HERE
Engage Pursuit Alpha: In a world of power paddles, Engage specifically built this model to excel in the control and spin categories. It still has enough juice to end a point when you have a good opportunity, but its gritty surface and responsive feel make it a breeze to put the ball exactly where you want it for those who value placement over power. Was $199.99, now $128 with code “20Kitchen” … SHOP HERE
QUICK HITS
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