While other pickleball players panic in the face of blistering attacks, Collin Johns simply… resets.
Johns’ mid-court reset has become his signature technique. This shot, typically executed when handling third or fifth shots from the transition zone, allows him to neutralize aggressive attacks and regain control of the point.
His ability to consistently take pace off a ball is nothing short of incredible. He’s so great at the mid-court reset that he almost looks like an old man doing it—calm and unrushed—which makes it look deceptively easy. But don’t be fooled: the mid-court reset is one of the most challenging skills to master in pickleball.
Let’s break down the magic behind Collin Johns’ signature reset skills.
What Makes Collin Johns’ Mid-Court Reset So Special?
Johns takes the most aggressive shots from the hardest hitters on tour and makes them bounce harmlessly in the kitchen with ease. In a sport that often celebrates offensive firepower, he’s made defensive mastery an art form that’s changing how the game is played.
- Perfect Paddle Control: While many players struggle with their paddle face angle when under pressure, Johns maintains impeccable control. His paddle face stays slightly open—never too much, never too little—allowing him to absorb power and redirect it exactly where he wants.
- The Calm Factor: Watch Johns’ demeanor during high-pressure points. While others tighten up, his relaxed approach transfers directly to his hands and arms, giving him the soft touch needed for perfect resets.
- Precision Under Pressure: Johns doesn’t just get the ball back; he consistently places his resets in the optimal spot, typically deep into the kitchen where opponents can’t attack effectively.
- Reading the Attack: Before the ball even reaches him, Johns has already analyzed the incoming shot’s pace, spin, and trajectory. This split-second processing allows him to adjust his paddle angle and positioning accordingly.
- Tactical Mastery: Johns understands the strategic value of the reset. When he’s in a defensive position, he doesn’t try to be a hero with low-percentage counterattacks. Instead, he neutralizes the point, working his way back to neutral or advantageous positioning.
Watch some “incredible defense” from Collin Johns:
The Physical Foundation Behind His Reset Mastery
Johns’ athletic background provides context for understanding his exceptional reset ability:
- Multi-Sport Athlete: Johns competed as a professional tennis player before pickleball, reaching ATP rankings of #978 in singles and #939 in doubles. His experience handling pace and maintaining composure under pressure translated perfectly to pickleball’s reset game.
- Table Tennis Training: His background in table tennis gave him exceptional hand-eye coordination and touch, which are critical skills for executing perfect resets when facing power shots.
- The Teaching Factor: As a former Head Racquets Professional at Baltimore Country Club, Johns developed a deep understanding of stroke mechanics and weight transfer that gives him an edge in technical execution.
- Brother’s Influence: Training alongside his younger brother Ben Johns, the #1 player in the world, pushed Collin to develop complementary skills. As he noted in interviews, he deliberately developed his game to complement Ben’s, including his exceptional reset abilities.
Breaking Down the Technical Elements
Let’s analyze the key technical components that make Johns’ mid-court reset so effective:
- The Foundation: Johns starts with a balanced, athletic stance: knees bent, weight centered, ready to move in any direction. His base is solid but not rigid, allowing him to absorb power through his legs.
- Paddle Preparation: Notice how Johns keeps his paddle slightly forward and in front of his body. This ready position reduces reaction time and creates an efficient path to meet the ball.
- The Contact Point: The magic happens at contact. Johns meets the ball early, before it drops too low, with his paddle face slightly open. This early contact point gives him more options for directing the reset.
- The “Absorption” Technique: Rather than swinging at the ball, Johns essentially dampens the incoming pace. He creates what coaches call a “soft pocket,” letting the ball compress against the paddle face briefly before redirecting it.
- Minimal Movement: What’s most remarkable is how little Johns appears to do. His reset motion is economical, just enough to control the ball’s direction while removing almost all its pace.
How to Develop Your Own Mid-Court Reset
While we can’t all be Collin Johns, we can incorporate elements of his reset technique into our own games:
1. Start with the Right Mindset
Understand that the reset is a defensive shot designed to neutralize, not attack. Your goal is to get the ball into the kitchen with minimal pace, giving yourself time to improve your court position.
2. Practice Paddle Face Control
Set up a practice station with a partner feeding firm shots to your mid-court position. Experiment with subtle changes in your paddle face angle to see how it affects the ball’s trajectory. The goal is to develop a feel for exactly how open your paddle needs to be.
3. Develop Touch Through Repetition
Try this drill: Have a partner stand at the kitchen line while you position yourself in the transition zone (mid-court). Your partner hits aggressive shots at you, and you focus solely on dropping soft resets into the kitchen.
Start at a moderate pace and gradually increase as your comfort grows.
4. Work on Early Recognition
Part of what makes Johns’ reset so effective is how early he recognizes the need for it. Practice identifying when you’re in a defensive position and commit to the reset rather than attempting a low-percentage offensive shot.
5. Add Movement Elements
In real games, you rarely get to reset from a stationary position. Add movement to your practice by having your partner direct shots to different areas of the mid-court, forcing you to reset while moving laterally or vertically.
Reset Variations to Master
Johns has several reset variations in his arsenal:
- The Block Reset: A minimal-motion shot where the paddle essentially blocks the ball’s path, using the incoming pace to direct it into the kitchen.
- The Drop Reset: A slightly more active stroke with a bit more paddle movement, used when the incoming ball has less pace.
- The Angled Reset: When appropriate, Johns will direct his reset at an angle to move opponents out of position.
- The Emergency Reset: Even on extremely difficult balls, Johns has the ability to get enough paddle on the ball to create a viable reset, often turning defensive emergencies into offensive opportunities.
Who Benefits Most From Developing This Shot?
For Beginners
Focus on developing basic paddle control and a comfortable grip before attempting technical resets. Practice blocking drills to get a feel for absorption rather than hitting through the ball. Remember: softness beats power when you’re in a defensive position.
For Intermediate Players
Work on recognizing when you’re in a defensive position that calls for a reset rather than a counter-attack. Develop consistency in your kitchen placement and work on maintaining composure when facing aggressive shots.
For Advanced Players
Fine-tune the subtleties of paddle angle control and work on directing your resets to specific targets within the kitchen. Practice resets while under extreme pressure and from challenging court positions.
Learn the mid-court reset from Collin Johns:
How Collin Johns’ Reset Is Changing the Game
There’s something philosophical about Johns’ approach to the reset shot. In a sport—and a world—that often celebrates aggressive action, Collin Johns reminds us of the power of patience, absorption, and strategic neutralization.
For recreational players, the biggest takeaway from Johns’ reset mastery isn’t just the technical execution, but the strategic wisdom of knowing when to neutralize rather than attack, and the patience to play the long game rather than going for the immediate winner.
Sometimes the best response to aggression isn’t more aggression, but calm, measured control.
