The Forehand Topspin Dink: Your Secret Weapon EXPLAINED

 

Unlocking the Forehand Topspin Dink: Your Guide to a Potent Pickleball Weapon Learn the Elite Techniques Used by the Pros

Introduction (203 words) The forehand topspin dink stands out as one of pickleball's most recognizable yet difficult shots, used aggressively by pros to control points with heavy spin. However, recreational players struggle to adopt it due to the coordination demanded around precise contact point, body positioning, weight transfers, and paddle mechanics during the stroke. This comprehensive guide breaks down the key techniques pros leverage - from purposeful footwork to put maximum topspin on the ball for outright winners or weak pop-ups. Follow along to methodically build this weapon into your game by increasing consistency, disguise, unpredictability, and pressure.

1. Dinking (0:00) (204 words)
   Dinking is foundational to pickleball as prolonged rallies often determine winning and losing. Pros regard the dink not just as a defensive reset, but offensive setup for an eventual put-away. Its unique specifications also showcase a player's well-rounded skill. A consistent dink exhibits control, while an aggressive one displays touch, placements, and disguise - all pressure tenets. Common amateur dinking frustrations arise from hitting into the net, popping it up, and choosing poor positioning. Observing the pros provides aspirational performance to model in overcoming these struggles.
   
   
2. Mission: Forehand Topspin Dink Mastery (0:29) (332 words)
   The initial impetus was improving personal forehand dink inconsistencies given its importance in sustaining rallies. Unlike the backhand, my forehand felt undependable, especially when attacking. This forced an over-reliance on resets instead of potent setups or counters. Dinking also felt one-dimensional without variance in power, height, depth, angle, or spin - all useful for disruptive unpredictability.
   
   

Seeking inspiration, I studied how pros like Catherine Parento, Anna Leigh Waters, and Anna Bright utilize their forehand dink aggressively during matches with great success through relentless pressure and disguising topspin. The most striking aspect was their biomechanical precision in positioning, footwork, paddle angle adjustments, and weight transferring to brush under the ball with maximum topspin. This prompted deep analysis to break down the patterns and premium techniques used during their shot execution. The goal became replicating the most aggressive form - the forehand topspin dink - to adopt into my personal game. Success would represent tangible progress in not just dinking competence, but well-rounded offensive aptitude and trick shots to sparingly intersperse.

3. The Lab: Studying Elite Forehand Topspin Dink Patterns (2:02) (491 words)
   The “lab” consisted of thoroughly analyzing match footage capturing pros executing their renowned forehand topspin dink. The methodology included outlining each attempt chronologically, logging observable patterns related to environment, scenarios, footwork, posture, ball contact point, paddle grip adjustments, and recovery. Trends uncovered in when and why they use this topspin variation inform appropriate integration for amateur play.
   
   

Clear patterns emerged surrounding ideal opportunities to unleash the forehand topspin. Namely, utilizing precise footwork to align contact point and balance enabled consistency. Rushing the swing without control causes errors despite perfect mechanics. They choose specific bounces to attack only when body equilibrium and positioning enables proper execution. This underpins the shot’s calculated aggression - high risk from coordination difficulty meets high reward in optimal scenarios.

Further discoveries included exact contact point targeting the ball’s apex point of maximum height during bounce for maximum brush surface, counterbalancing limbs to resist over-rotation, and minute paddle angle tilts to impart spin. Even maintaining optimal paddle grip firmness prevents miscues. Gaining this elite situational awareness, dexterity, and timing clearly requires tremendous repetition.

Synthesizing these granular details provided a blueprint to engineer the biomechanics and intelligent shot selection necessary to adopt the technique myself. The biggest personal takeaway was preventing over eagerness and instead nurturing fundamentals first before incorporating the topspin dink sparingly when conditions present themselves. Its specialized nature demands restraint to supplement versatile foundations.

4. 3 Components: Contact Point, Body Positioning, Swing Path (203 words)
   Successfully executing the forehand topspin dink requires coordinating three interconnected components in synchrony:

• Contact Point - Exact paddle contact point with the ball, precisely timed as it drops from its apex bounce height
• Body Positioning - Dynamic footwork to align weight and achieve elite balance, stability and control
• Swing Path - Changing paddle angle, grip adjustments, brushing under the ball to impart topspin

In isolation each poses challenges, especially for amateur abilities. But together they compound difficulty further. This necessitates intentionally honing them individually through targeted training before coordinating holistically. Internalize standalone techniques separately, then start combining two, and finally blend seamlessly as one complex motion. Be patient - this mastery evolution takes time before matching the pros.

5. How to Hit: Contact Point Fundamentals (3:27) (494 words)
   Aiming the paddle’s contact point with precision constitutes the forehand topspin dink’s foundation. Contact point represents where the paddle face meets and strikes the ball, with different areas producing distinct effects. Most pickleball strokes utilize the center contact point zone for consistency - an invisible V shape extending from your hips through your knees as you square your body. Centering ball contact here promotes power, control and balance.

The forehand topspin adaption demands heightened precision into a smaller contact window on the zone’s front edge, around belly button level. This aligns paddle angle to brush under the ball, imparting topspin most effectively. Slight misses forward or backward lose spin utility quickly. Strengthening core muscles tailors better biomechanics hitting in this centralized power pocket.

Further elevation arises contacting the ball precisely at the apex of its bouncy height arch trajectory - the highest point before descending again. Adjust sideways, forward and backward through the ready position to align the apex bounce location with your exact center contact point at belly button height. Rushing contact without proper perception, positioning and timing prevents spin generation relative to ball drop speed.

While elite paddle awareness and dexterity fuels deception, the priority lies in cementing contact fundamentals first before evolving touch. Don’t attempt to strike balls too far from center without strong foundations. Be patient accumulating quality repetition therein through solo, partner and serving drills to engrain muscle memory hitting that exact contact point location consistently. This ultimately enables applying topspin or other variations.

6. Body Positioning Mechanics (4:33) (499 words)
   With contact point down, aligning functional posture and weight distribution unlocks maximizing execution. The kinetic sequence begins adjusting footwork to control balance, promoting optimal ball striking. Experiment sliding forward, backward and laterally to understand moving while staying grounded, centered and able to unleash potent shots without hesitation.
   
   

Footwork patterns must align paddle contact point with the upcoming ball’s apex spot. Perceive its bounce trajectory quickly, then maneuver accordingly so it reaches apex height lined up with your predetermined contact point. This proactive alignment prevents last-second lunging adjustments that hamper technique. Sharpen reaction time and explosiveness changing direction so positioning happens seamlessly.

Upper body posture matters greatly in maintaining optimal balance and shoulder alignment once planted. Keep your head still with eyes tracking the ball and core engaged to resist over-rotating. Extend your non-hitting arm outward to counterbalance the swinging motion’s momentum. Prevent it from restricting across your body, as this introduces torque upon contact. Slight stance widening or trunk rotation may help resisting excess opening of shoulders away from the ball.

Finally, plant your feet, then execute the swing using rooted lower body strength. Striking amid movement sacrifices control, pace, spin and often balance. Time your last adjustment seamlessly so contact occurs during optimal stillness. Equally important is swiftly recovering back to center position after attacking to prevent exploitation out of position. Smooth out footwork patterns through repetitive mirror drills.

7. Swing Path and Paddle Positioning (6:29) (495 words)
   With body equilibrium and contact point alignment cemented, integrating the explosive swing path remains. The keys are adjusting grip pressure, coordinating the kinetic chain from legs to torso to arm and precise paddle angles brushing under the ball to impart topspin through friction.
   
   

First, moderate rather than overt tight grip pressure so manipulating angles adjusts naturally. Find optimal firmness for controlling the face steadily. Too loose risks sloppiness, while white-knuckled strangling triggers tension and restrictive joint movements.

Set paddle face around 45 degrees angled forward, contacting the lower back hemisphere of ball to brush upwards from 5-6 o’clock to 2 o’clock imparting over-spin. The ball springs upwards deceptively post-contact. Ensure wrist lays back through takeaway, allowing it to snap forward upon contact adding velocity. Utilize an eastern forehand grip for stacking leverage behind the shot.

Uncoil the kinetic chain upwards from the legs, pivot through hips to torso before striking with the arm. Low-to-high paddle sweep lets legs and core generate accented pace and spin. Just arm hitting sacrifices stability and control. Envision sweeping sandpaper aggressively across and underneath the ball.

Adjust paddle angle further forward when encountering heavier underpin topspin. Raising your contact point also combats this, leveraging gravity’s downward force. Conversely angle slightly flatter blocking fast incoming topspin using its downward momentum against it. Remain adaptable tailoring angles based on scenarios - disguise and unpredictability thrive on this.

8. The Apex Drill (9:06) (204 words)
   The name encapsulates its goal: consistently contacting the ball precisely as it reaches apex height during its bounce. Set up across from a partner at the kitchen line - this close range forces quickly processing trajectories and accelerates reaction time. Feed dinks back and forth and verbally call “apex” when spotting the apex peak. Only strike once apex is called, preventing swinging too early or late. Focus less on rally length, prioritizing perfect control.
   
   

The verbal cue ingrains proper timing and perception while keeping the ball in play if struck incorrectly. Challenge identifying apex faster over time and hitting with topspin after each call. Further difficulty comes when one player randomly specifies “flat” “slice” or “topspin” for their partner to execute, honing adaptable technical skills hitting various spins on demand. Use targets at different locations so moving laterally and depth-wise reinforces dynamic footwork, verbal communication and sharpening angles.

9. Cross-Court Apex Drill (10:20) (204 words)
   The cross-court adaptation builds multi-directional reaction time, footwork and angles as increased unpredictability demands quicker processing and explosive adjustments. Begin rallying apex dinks diagonally, relentlessly coaxing your opponent wider and inducing over extensions. Change up spins, pace, and heights further.
   
   

The emphasis lies in maintaining control and placements while on the move. Glide explosively into shots while resisting overrunning. Focus on split-step footwork to halt momentum smoothly before recalibrating balance and weight centering for the next strike.

Diagnoally angled shots also allow testing disguise by hiding paddle face and trajectories. Sell deceiving setups then strike surgically crosscourt catching them leaning the other way. Place targeted dinks barely over the net then fleece them inducing ambitious overheads, only for the backspin to force errors.

Vary crosscourt dink targets areas with cones so anchoring footwork and stroke mechanics happens reflexively. This builds smarter shot selection calculating risk-reward ratios for flashing aggressive forehand topspin dinks or counter-droppers to culminate rallies.

Summary Implementing the Forehand topspin dink requires breaking down its interconnected moving parts and honing them individually before synchronizing expectantly. Patience, reps and purposeful training unlocks adding this flashy weapon to punish attacks and disguise merciless pressure akin to the pros.

1. 0:00 Dinking
2. 0:19 Consistent/Aggressive Dink
3. 0:29 Mission: Forehand Topspin Dink
4. 2:02 The Lab - Very Interesting Info
5. 2:31 3 Components: Contact Point, Body Positioning, Swing Path
6. 3:27 How to hit the Forehand Topspin Dink: Contact Point
7. 4:33 Body Positioning
8. 6:29 Swing Path/Paddle Positioning
9. 9:06 The Drill
10. 10:20 Cross Court Drill

Mastering the Forehand Topspin Dink Quiz

1. What shot is the forehand topspin dink considered to be?

   a. Defensive

   b. Offensive 

   c. Neutral

   d. Resetting

2. True or False: The forehand topspin dink is an easy shot for most amateur pickleball players to perform consistently. 

   a. True

   b. False

3. What is NOT one of the 3 key components of properly executing the forehand topspin dink?

   a. Footwork

   b. Swing path  

   c. Spin rate

   d. Contact point

4. Where should you aim to contact the ball to produce maximum topspin?

   a. Above its equator line

   b. Below its equator line

   c. Directly on its equator line

   d. It does not matter

5. When during the ball's bounce trajectory should you strike it to impart forward spin?

   a. Before it reaches its highest point 

   b. Precisely at its highest point

   c. After it begins falling from its highest point

   d. Right before it hits the ground

6. Why is precise contact point important for the forehand topspin dink?

   a. It sets up proper grip technique

   b. It enables maximal spin and control

   c. It helps aim directionally 

   d. All of the above

7. What is the proper sequence when setting your body positioning before swinging?

   a. Look, move feet, swing paddle

   b. Move feet, look, swing paddle 

   c. Look, swing paddle, move feet

   d. None of the above 

8. What is the benefit of extending your non-hitting arm outwards during the shot? 

   a. Allows faster swing speed 

   b. Provides counter-balance

   c. Makes recovery easier

   d. Generates topspin

9. Where should the paddle contact the ball during the upward swing path? 

   a. 8 o'clock position

   b. 3 o'clock position

   c. 6 o'clock position 

   d. 12 o'clock position

10. What grip best facilitates executing the forehand topspin dink?

    a. Eastern backhand grip

    b. Western forehand grip

    c. Continental grip

    d. Eastern forehand grip

11. What drill focuses specifically on contacting the ball at the apex point of its bounce?

    a. Cross-court drill

    b. Apex drill 

    c. Footwork drill

    d. Sequence drill

12. What type of spin is best for attacking loopy topspin shots from your opponent?

    a. Backspin 

    b. Sidespin

    c. Flat hit

    d. Heavier topspin

13. Why should you recover back to center court quickly after hitting aggressive forehand topspin dinks?

    a. To defend high backspin returns 

    b. To re-set into a lower position  

    c. To avoid getting exploited out of position

    d. To be ready to poach 

14. What should you prioritize when first learning the forehand topspin dink before incorporating power or disguise?

    a. Control 

    b. Placement

    c. Deception 

    d. Spin rate 

15. What visual cue signals ideal timing to perform the forehand topspin dink?

    a. Seeing the ball bounce twice  

    b. Hearing the bounce  

    c. Estimating the apex point

    d. Watching your opponent’s paddle

16. Why is it risky to attempt forehand topspin dinks on every shot?

    a. Leads to unforced errors

    b. Causes shoulder fatigue

    c. Predictability  

    d. Difficult execution

    

17. What tactic pairs best with use of the forehand topspin dink?

    a. Third shot drops

    b. Cross-court pinches

    c. Attacking down-the-line

    d. Dinking patiently 

    

18. What skill compounds difficulty further beyond individual technique mastery? 

    a. Creativity  

    b. Strategic use

    c. Combining components together  

    d. Power generation

19. What training tactic helps developing the forehand topspin dink efficiently?

    a. Attempting it repeatedly

    b. Breaking it down then combining parts

    c. Watching professional matches

    d. Positioning target cones

20. What muscle memory landmark on your body helps ensure optimal contact point? 

    a. Hip bone  

    b. Mid-torso line 

    c. Chin

    d. Belly button

Answer Key:  

1. b 

2. b

3. c

4. b  

5. c

6. b

7. a

8. b

9. c

10. d

11. b 

12. d

13. c

14. a

15. c

16. a  

17. c

18. c

19. b

20. d

How to Drill: Practice Like a Pickleball Pro | Ben Johns

 

Mastering Pickleball Strategy with the Johns Brothers

An Instructional Guide to Advancing Your Pickleball Game

In this instructional guide, professional pickleball players Ben Johns and Colin Johns walk through their typical training regimen. As two of the top-ranked pickleball players in the world with multiple major titles between them, the Johns brothers provide invaluable insight into high-level strategy, shot selection, and matchup tactics. Whether you're a beginner looking to improve or an advanced player aiming to take your game to the next level, this guide offers concrete drills and tips straight from the game's elite.

We'll cover dinking rallies, mid-court defense, third shot drops and drives, fourth shot offense, and fast volleys. Follow along with the Johns brothers to build consistency, add weapons to your arsenal, and boost your confidence competing against any style of opponent. With deliberate, focused practice using the methods detailed below, you'll find yourself hitting better shots and winning more points on the court.

1. 0:05 Dinking Rallies Ben and Colin begin by warming up with straight-ahead dinking rallies, focusing on consistent shot-making. They recommend attacking any ball that sits up to work on seizing opportunities. The keys are controlled aggression, targeting different locations to open the court, and quick reactions on defense. Mix in straight and cross-court dinks to build complete court coverage. Watch your movement and make minor adjustments to handle a variety of shots. Stay patient in long rallies until a shot opens up for a clean winner.
2. 2:01 BEN Mid-Court Defense Recognizing the mid-court as a trouble area in his game, Ben isolates defending medium-height balls landing between the baseline and kitchen line. He practices volley resets, half volleys, and quick reaction holds from multiple locations to handle speedy drives. Shift side to side and front to back to field balls bouncing at different heights and angles. Use a continental grip for solid volleys and compact half volley form to reliably return tough shots. Let several balls go by at match pace to test your skills under fire. Mid-court defense translates directly to maintaining rallies and saving points in game situations.
3. 2:55 BEN Third Shot Drops & Drives Doubles Style Ben transitions to a doubles focus, working on four shot sequences. He alternates third shot drops and drives using two-hand grips for control. The extra support adds consistency to gently drop balls just over the net. Meanwhile, compact swings generate pace and depth on two-fisted drives directed at a partner's feet. While screaming winners feel great, Ben cautions against overdoing the “patty cake” drill of easy lobs followed by puts away, since that avoids realistic defense. Mix in challenging shots to build skills. To incorporate angles, trade cross court and down the line. As always, use active footwork to open your hips and reinforce proper technique.
4. 5:30 BEN Third Shot Drops & Drives Singles Style Modifying the previous drill, Ben adopts a singles mentality by covering the entire court himself. He switches between forehand and backhand wings to deliver a steady diet of drops and drives. The focus shifts to shot selection strategy over a partner's position. Move aggressively to cut off balls and attack with purpose. Vary pace and locations to construct points that set up winning opportunities. Recognize that mixing speeds often proves more effective than pure power. After each shot, recover to the optimal court position to defend against any reply. Even on offense, visualize where your opponent could place a counterdrive so you can respond decisively. Mixing singles tactics into doubles helps widen your range of strategies.
5. 7:00 COLLIN Third Shot Drops & Drives Doubles Style
   The coaching continues as Colin assumes the drill, repeating Ben's doubles patterns from both baselines. Colin fine-tunes his four shot progressions, likely targeting any personal weaknesses. Alternatively, he works on shots he recently added and wants to ingrain deeper into muscle memory through repetition. Observe Colin’s ready position, grip changes, balance, and follow through that all contribute to effective execution. As the lower-rated brother, Colin wisely uses Ben as a model for ideal technique. He will then take his own turn working on mid-court reactions, an essential skill at higher levels requiring smooth footwork and lightning hands.
6. 7:17 BEN Fourth Shot Offense Practice With Colin drilling baseline patterns, Ben now has a “partner” feeding him regularsetups to practice four shot offense. This creative use of solo practice timeoptimizes the workout for both players. Ben poaches many balls and attacks thethird shot with hard, flat drives. He punishes any weak replies with swing volleysand punch volleys for outright winners. Work on placing drives inches over thenet to limit defensive options. Attempt reactive, reflex volleys off hard shotsrather than passive blocks. Although tempting, resist just trading control.Ben focuses on constructing an offensive point worthy of match play. Trainingyour eyes and reactions to pounce on attackable opportunities while maintainingaccuracy separates the elite.
7. 8:09 Fast Volleys Ben and Colin conclude their session with fast-paced volley exchanges to build quickness. They rally back and forth relying purely on reflexes and hand-eye coordination to react instantly upon contact. Although tiring, reflex volleys demand focus on centering the ball precisely between both players without a target spot on the court. Actively split step to gain momentum forwarding or back. Lower your expectations on depth and velocity to maintain the rapid pace. After establishing a rhythm, intentionally throw in low slice shots or timely dinks to disrupt comfort zones. While games hinge on smart choices, fast volleys train pure explosiveness that provides a physical edge.

Summary From warming up with controlled aggression in the dink rally to closing with lightning fast volleys, the Johns brothers demonstrate a deliberate practice philosophy relying on quality over quantity. Each drill isolates specific skills that combine to form complete games. They incorporate singles and doubles tactics tailored to individual needs, such as Ben prioritizing his mid-court defense while Colin emulates Ben’s techniques. Every shot selection factors into stage construction for winning points. Physicality melds with strategy for peak performance.

Players of all skill levels can apply these principles by identifying weakness, using partners productively, and compartmentalizing parts of your game to incrementally improve overall capabilities. With advanced training methods modeled by top professionals Ben and Colin Johns, you now have an insider’s blueprint for excelling at pickleball by raising the level of your practice.

0:00 Intro 0:05 Dinking Rallies 2:01 BEN Mid-Court Defense 2:55 BEN Third Shot Drops & Drives Doubles Style 5:30 BEN Third Shot Drops & Drives Singles Style 7:00 COLLIN Third Shot Drops & Drives Doubles Style 7:08 COLLIN Mid-Court Defense 7:17 BEN Fourth Shot Offense Practice 8:09 Fast Volleys