Ben Johns’ pickleball forehand drive technique was broken down in a recent video tutorial to help players improve their pickleball game quickly. The lesson, filmed on court, shows how to drive the ball like Johns by using better footwork, strong body rotation, and a lower stance. The video was made by pickleball coach Kayen and another instructor, and it includes helpful drills that any player can try.
How Footwork and Balance Improve the Shot
Kayen explained that three key changes helped his third shot drive:
He worked on faster, cleaner footwork.
He stayed lower through his shot instead of rising too soon.
He focused on rotating his hips, shoulders, and paddle fully.
Kayen said, “Just being a little bit cleaner, a little bit quicker so that when I make my swing I’m balanced.” He also mentioned staying low helps him “drive through from here” and “not popping up or maybe moving towards the kitchen line too soon.”
Another problem he fixed was not finishing his swing. “I have a habit of kind of stopping a little bit sooner than I probably should,” he said. Now, he works on full rotation and follow-through.
Grip, Contact, and Shoulder Use
The second coach pointed out how Kayen’s grip helps create topspin. “It’s very hard to generate top spin in a continental grip,” he said. He showed how Kayen uses a slightly eastern grip, like many pro players, including Ben Johns.
Footwork also helps set up the right contact point. “This contact’s going to be out in front but how to the right of his hips this ball is,” the coach said. He explained how the left shoulder helps generate power. “To get to that full rotation is super important. Left hand is in front—you’ll see every player kind of do this for balance.”
Drills to Build a Strong Drive
To improve the drive, Kayen used a catching drill. The coach tossed balls and had Kayen catch them at the right contact point. “Why this is really important is it sets his feet up… where he’s catching the ball that’s actually where he’s going to be unloading.”
Then, they moved to a hitting drill with varied feeds. The goal was to help Kayen adjust his footwork, stay low, and follow through.
“For me the biggest things that I would say that I’ve tweaked is just getting that momentum all the way forward,” Kayen said. “In previous past I’ve had maybe a little bit of upward movement and maybe a little bit of backward movement just because my footwork wasn’t that great.”
Handling Tougher Shots and Spins
The final drill challenged Kayen with different types of feeds—slice, high balls, and topspin shots. The goal was for him to move quickly and set up his forehand in every situation.
“This really trains his early preparation,” the coach explained. “I couldn’t urge you enough to really practice on preparing as early as possible so that you can have good clean contact points.”
Why This Matters for Pickleball Players
Learning how to hit a strong forehand drive is important for anyone looking to improve in pickleball. This video gives simple, easy-to-use tips that focus on balance, movement, and swing path. It shows that with just a few drills and better habits, players at all levels can drive the ball more like Ben Johns.
News in Brief: Ben Johns’ Pickleball Forehand Drive
A new instructional video breaks down how to hit forehands like pro pickleball player Ben Johns in just nine minutes. Coach explains three key tips—better footwork, staying low, and full body rotation—while demonstrating simple drills to improve your third shot drive. Emphasis is placed on grip, spacing, and follow-through, helping players gain more power and spin.
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