How To Hit the Backhand Roll in Pickleball | Ben Johns

Learn how to hit the World's No. 1 Pickleball Athlete, Ben Johns' favorite shot in the game. Ben shares the fundamentals, what to look for, and how to set up drills to improve your backhand roll.

Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:34 Drilling Set-Up
1:06 Things to Watch For
5:14 Variation 1: Roll
6:18 Variation 2: Flick

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[rudy]

Thanks Ben, for the great video tutorial! Pls keep making these type of videos, they are so helpful.

[PierreRattiniQFFHangout]

😱🤬I have been working on the backend flick thinking it was the backend roll shot. This video corrected everything I was doing wrong. 🎉To much wrist on my flick and now understand how to properly hit the roll. I'm super excited to drill this. Ben and CJ THANK YOU... I hope you continue to make these videos. This was fantastic.😀

[Fernando-khoo]

cj was just killing it in the counters

[loblandmarks]

Absolutely brilliant tutorial on the pickleball backhand roll shot, Ben Johns! Your step-by-step breakdown makes this advanced technique seem much more approachable. The slow-motion replays were especially helpful for catching the subtleties of wrist movement and foot positioning. I appreciate the emphasis on practice and patience - it’s clear that mastering this shot can really elevate one’s game. Thanks for sharing your expertise and making high-level play more accessible to us all. Looking forward to applying these tips on the court!

[wolf-xfhf]

I didnt have a backhand flick at all but when I moved to nepal for 3 months where there wasnt pickleball I had nothing to play but table tennis and after coming back to pickleball it felt so natural

[aziziadnan]

Hi Ben, very pleased with your guidance, thank you from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ( Picklelagi)

[Omg.its.Z]

We definitely need more of these types of videos, thanks Ben!

[josefbleaux]

Great video! I love that shot... Can't wait to dril this one. Thanks Ben and CJ. You guys Rock!

[livingthedream]

Thank you for all the tutorials, professionalism, good manners, sportsmanship on and off the court. This video is going to help a lot of people...hopefully not the people I play against here in Naples. :)

[stankeye]

We need Collin's video on the best defense against this shot since he has practiced the most!

[MICHAELZHANGCA]

It's essentially a backhand topspin shot in table tennis. I personally find many skills from table tennis, badminton and tennis I have transferred to pickleball are super helpful.

[ivalani]

Great explanation and demonstration of the correct form.

[Robbh]

Awesome. Thank you for taking the time to explain. 👏

[Zenon-fgdw]

Thank you for explaining the difference between roll and a flick. I did not realize the difference. I think I am ready for you John. I would not want to hit it to CJ though. Thanks guys!

[CharlesBrodheadIII]

Thanks for such a comprehensive tutorial. Learned a lot here!

[GugerIsMe]

Im hyped for the release, this will take me from a 2.5 to a 6.0 in a matter of minutes!

[AJCsr]

I am trying to get better at both the roll and the flick. Getting good at these are both very satisfying.

[RedneckAsian]

Great Video. I think it's important you point out what you're doing with your LEFT arm. Having it back to balance the center of gravity is an important lesson. I can see a bunch of beginners trying this after watching this video and having both arms out front and falling into the kitchen.

[claycc]

Wow great video. Most people can do can't teach, you just blew that myth away. Thanks,

[voiceofreason]

The motorcycle throttle makes total sense to me as I didn't understand it before that. Thanks!