Pickleball Tips from Pro Collin Johns: Coach Austin Hardy breaks down Collin Johns’ top strategies to help 4.0-level pickleball players improve their tournament play with 15 clear and actionable tips.
Collin Johns’ Game Studied to Boost 4.0 Play
Pickleball coach Austin Hardy studied professional player Collin Johns’ game in detail. He created 15 essential tips to help intermediate players, especially those at the 4.0 level, improve their performance during matches. These tips focus on preparation, shot selection, strategy, and mental game.
Hardy shared these insights to help players improve their consistency and take control of more points in competitive matches.
Be Ready Before You Play
Preparation starts before the match begins. Players should bring a towel, water, and electrolytes to avoid distractions.
“The more prepared that you can show up to a tournament, the better you’re going to play.” – (Austin Hardy)
Eating before playing also helps settle nerves and fuels the body to perform well.
Smart Decisions During Play
Returning balls that are clearly going out is a common mistake. Hardy recommends practicing with a partner to learn how to spot these shots.
“Most times, balls regress back to the middle of the court, so if you’re not sure where your opponent is going to hit the ball, always guess the middle.” – (Austin Hardy)
When hitting drop shots, going cross-court creates pressure and gives you more space over the net.
“The reason you want to hit your drops cross-court is because it applies a lot of pressure to your opponent. If you hit it up the middle, you have a very active player on the left who’s going to get used to the drop coming up the middle and you’ll never make it in to the net.” – (Austin Hardy)
Aim Drives and Use Lobs
Hitting drives up the middle or down the line limits your opponent’s angles and creates confusion.
“If you hit your drive cross-court, you’re giving your opponent time to react. And we’re giving them a huge angle to work with and burn our partner. Instead, hit your drives down the middle because it causes confusion from your opponents on whose ball it is.” – (Austin Hardy)
He also recommends using lobs more often, especially when you are in a neutral position. Hardy said lobs move your opponents back and let you take control of the point.
Control Resets and Serves
Keep resets low and angled down to reduce your opponent’s time to respond. High and deep serves are more effective than fast, flat ones.
“If your serve has more height, it’s more difficult for your opponent to return it because it puts them at an awkward angle.” – (Austin Hardy)
Depth also pushes your opponent back, causing them to pop the ball up.
“This tool is a great way to take advantage of the point right off the get-go.” – (Austin Hardy)
Take Initiative and Plan Ahead
The player who hits downward first often wins the point. Use the paddle angle to hit down and apply pressure. Before the match, plan with your partner who to return to and who to target with drops and drives.
“The player you’re going to want to keep back is the player who has the strongest game at the kitchen and fastest volley. The longer you can keep them back, the better.” – (Austin Hardy)
Look for Fifth Shot Poaches
Hardy shared a smart tip for poaching: move forward first, then shift over.
“When a lot of players poach, they move laterally. Instead, move forward first, then cut over on an angle so your opponents think you’re staying on your side of the court.” – (Austin Hardy)
This confuses opponents and makes your poach more effective.
Use Timeouts and Know the Opponents
When your opponents gain momentum, take a timeout to slow them down. Timeouts also let you and your partner adjust your strategy.
Hardy explained the value of knowing which opponent is better at defense or offense. This helps you aim drops and drives to the weaker side, increasing your chance of winning the rally.
Stay in the Point
Never give up on a rally. Keep the ball alive by using lobs and drives during tough points.
“The point is not over until it’s over, so don’t be afraid to lob and drive to keep the ball in play and stay in the point.” – (Austin Hardy)
“Don’t try to be perfect when you’re in a scramble, just keep the ball in.” – (Austin Hardy)
Why These Tips Matter
These 15 tips offer players a clear plan to improve their game. Each suggestion, taken from Collin Johns’ successful style of play, can help 4.0 players compete more confidently and effectively in tournaments.
Hardy’s breakdown provides practical tools to develop better habits, from shot choice to mental preparation. Following these strategies may help players gain more wins and move to higher levels of competitive play.
News in Brief: Pickleball Tips from Pro Collin Johns
Coach Austin Hardy shared 15 winning tips from Collin Johns to help 4.0 pickleball players improve. From preparation to shot choices and timeouts, these practical strategies help players hone skills, reduce errors, and gain an edge during competitive matches. The goal: play smarter and more consistently.
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