Johns Brothers’ Controversial Decision: In any intense pickleball match, whether to call a timeout or not can be pivotal. Players have different philosophies about their use, with some relying on them to halt momentum after losing a string of points, while others see timeouts as unnecessary. Ben Johns and Collin Johns in men’s doubles famously favored the latter approach. During the men’s doubles final at the PPA Gin Virginia Beach Cup, the lack of timeout significantly impacted the match.
A Timeout that Changed the Game
Ben and Collin Johns are known for their reluctance to call timeouts, a strategy that often works in their favor. But in the final against Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin, the match took an unexpected turn when the Johns brothers attempted to take a timeout.
After dropping the first game, they battled back to win the next two and held a lead in the fourth. However, as the game tightened, they decided to call a timeout—a rare move for them.
What happened next was pivotal. Head referee Don Stanley ruled that the Johns brothers had not properly signaled the timeout, a technicality that resulted in a point deduction. As this was their second violation of the match, the point stood.
The Johns didn’t argue the call, knowing that Stanley’s ruling was by the book. But what followed was a clear shift in momentum. Staksrud and Patriquin seized the opportunity, quickly closing out the fourth game 11-8 and steamrolling through the fifth game 11-2 to win the match.
The Impact of a Point Lost
Was the timeout ruling the deciding factor in the match? The momentum swung sharply after the penalty, and Staksrud and Patriquin didn’t look back.
The Johns brothers had controlled the match until that moment, but the shift was undeniable. Stanley’s call was correct—there’s no debating that—but its impact on the match’s outcome was unmistakable.
The Fine Line Between Winning and Losing
The timeout incident shows just how fine the margins are at this level of competition. One violation, one technical call, can tip the balance in a close match.
For the Johns brothers, known for their typically unflappable demeanor, this moment might serve as a reminder of just how crucial every aspect of the game is—even something as seemingly minor as properly signaling a timeout.
News in Brief: Johns Brothers’ Controversial Decision
At the Stratusphere Gin Virginia Beach Cup, the men’s doubles final turned on an unusual moment when Ben and Collin Johns improperly signaled a timeout, leading to a point penalty.
Referee Don Stanley’s ruling was correct, but it shifted the match’s momentum, allowing Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin to take control, winning the fourth game 11-8 and the fifth 11-2. The incident highlights the fine margins in top-level pickleball, where one decision can change the outcome of an entire match.
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