If you’ve ever watched Ben Johns, the world’s #1 pickleball player, you know he has a knack for turning tough shots into effortless winners. One of his signature moves? The Shovel Drop—a soft, controlled shot that lands precisely in the front half of your opponent’s kitchen.
Let’s break down the shovel drop technique and explore how you can use it to dominate your dinking game.
What is the Shovel Drop?
The shovel drop is a soft, controlled drop shot executed with a scooping motion. Instead of hitting a standard drop or dink, you use your paddle face to guide the ball gently over the net, keeping it low and unattackable.
Ben Johns emphasizes that this shot is particularly useful when the ball is behind your body. Instead of awkwardly flicking at the ball, you tilt your wrist and use a soft scoop to reset the point.
Key Benefits of the Shovel Drop:
✅ Neutralizes aggressive opponents by slowing down the pace
✅ Increases consistency since the shot relies on a repeatable motion
✅ Gives you better control over placement, keeping opponents off balance
✅ Reduces errors by using an efficient, repeatable wrist position
How to Hit the Shovel Drop Like Ben Johns
1. Keep Your Paddle Face Focused on the Ball
Ben stresses the importance of paddle positioning. Instead of opening your paddle face too much (which creates high, attackable shots), keep it angled slightly forward so it guides the ball down into the kitchen.
Tip: Think of “scooping” the ball rather than chopping or flicking. The goal is softness and control, not power.
2. Adjust Your Contact Point
The shovel drop works best when the ball is behind you. If you reach too far forward, the motion won’t be as effective.
Best practice: Let the ball come to you before making contact, and if it’s behind your body, slightly tilt your wrist upward to create a clean drop.
Pro Tip: Ben emphasizes finding a consistent wrist position. Your max wrist tilt should feel the same every time—this repeatability makes the shot reliable.
3. Use Your Opponent’s Pace to Your Advantage
One of the most underrated aspects of the shovel drop is that you don’t need to generate your own power. If your opponent hits a hard shot, use their pace to redirect the ball softly into the kitchen.
Less effort, more control. Let the ball “sit” on your paddle for an extra fraction of a second before guiding it over the net.
4. Keep Your Wrist Relaxed
A tense wrist can lead to erratic shots. The best shovel drops are smooth and controlled, almost like a gentle volleyball dig.
🔹 If you’re too stiff, the ball will pop up too high.
🔹 If you’re too loose, you might mis-hit the shot.
🔹 Find a balance—relaxed but controlled.
Check it out:
Why the Shovel Drop is a Game-Changer
Mastering the shovel drop can transform your soft game, making you a nightmare for aggressive opponents who rely on speed and power. By using a controlled scoop motion, keeping your paddle face steady, and letting the ball work for you, you’ll improve consistency and placement.
Key Takeaways:
✔️ Angle your paddle correctly (don’t open it too much)
✔️ Hit the ball softly, using your opponent’s pace
✔️ Relax your wrist to keep the shot smooth and controlled
✔️ Adjust contact points based on ball position
So, next time you’re on the court, give the shovel drop a try. It might just be the secret weapon your game needs! 🏓🔥
