Game-Changing Pickleball Secrets: Pickleball coach CJ Johnson has shared four key tips to help players control aggressive opponents, known as bangers, who rely on hitting the ball hard. In a new training video with partner Tony Roy on BetterPickleball.com, Johnson teaches how to reset rallies and turn defense into offense with simple techniques.
Be Ready for the Banger’s Shot
Bangers are players who hit hard with every shot and rarely use soft tactics like drop shots. Johnson says players must adjust their ready position to deal with them. “If you are in a position where you are down here and you have got the paddle down at your side, you’re not ready for that hard hit shot,” she explains.
Instead, she advises players to keep their paddle up and tilted toward the backhand side for quicker reaction time. She adds, “Most block volleys come on the backhand side,” which is why she suggests starting with the paddle already favoring that side.
Stay Light on Feet
Standing tall with weight on the heels makes players slower to react. Johnson teaches that players should keep their weight on the front part of their feet—what she calls being “on the triangles.” This helps keep balance and avoids sending balls back high and easy for bangers to smash.
“If you are standing up tall with weight on your heels… the paddle face opens and the ball can come off in a higher trajectory,” Johnson says. That higher return often leads to another hard shot from the opponent.
Use the Block Volley
The block volley is the main move to reduce the pace of a banger’s shot. Johnson demonstrates how to place the paddle out in front to absorb the shot’s energy without swinging.
“This is the block volley. The ball is coming into the paddle and I simply put my paddle out here to intercept it,” she says. A swing, wrist flick, or elbow push should be avoided. The idea is to block the ball with minimal movement and let it land near the non-volley zone.
“Imagine that when I’m here at the net, I have a bullseye around the center part of my body and that paddle… is just simply going to protect the bullseye.” – (Johnson)
Control Your Grip Pressure
Johnson points out that grip pressure matters when blocking. If the return flies deep into the court, the grip might be too tight. She says, “All you want to do is lessen that grip pressure because ideally this block volley should land somewhere around the non-volley zone line.”
She invites viewers to share their own grip pressure level: “If 10 is the tightest grip pressure and zero is no grip pressure at all, what number do you use?”
Know When to Let It Go
For a bonus tip, Johnson tells players not to block every shot. If a banger steps inside the court and winds up for a hit, she advises players to judge the shot and consider letting it go.
“Remember that old adage: shoulder high, let it fly,” she says. Letting the ball sail out can win a point without effort.
What Happens Next
Johnson closes by asking viewers which skill they need to work on most—whether it’s paddle position, staying on the balls of their feet, mastering the block volley, or letting out balls go. She also directs viewers to a quiz for more personalized help: “Together we can train smart, live bold, and age.”
News in Brief: Game-Changing Pickleball Secrets
CJ Johnson shares four key tips to beat hard-hitting “banger” opponents in pickleball: proper paddle position, staying on the balls of your feet, using a block volley with light grip pressure, and letting out balls fly. Her advice helps players reset rallies and win more points with confidence.
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