Ben Johns Moves to Florida, Revamps Training for Pickleball Edge
What's the Score?
Ben Johns, a dominant figure in professional pickleball, has made a significant personal and professional move, relocating from Austin, Texas, to Boca Raton, Florida, in March 2025. The primary drivers for the move were to be closer to family and friends and to capitalise on Florida's status as a major pickleball hub. This relocation has led Johns to fundamentally change his training approach, shifting from his previous routine of strictly drilling primarily with his brother Collin Johns to now incorporating a much higher percentage of practice games with the abundance of high-level pros in the Florida area.
Hit it deeper!
One of the most notable professional pickleball players, Ben Johns, recently made a significant change in his life by moving to Boca Raton, Florida. Having resided in Austin, Texas, for several years, Johns returned to the Sunshine State in March 2025. Johns cited multiple personal and professional reasons for this relocation. On a personal level, the move brought him closer to his family and friends. From a professional standpoint, Florida is recognised as a major hotspot for pickleball, and Johns is keen to take full advantage of this. He expressed his fondness for his new home, mentioning, “I love Florida,” and describing his setup: “I got a house with a nice backyard, cold plunge, pool and a sauna”. Johns noted that he spends a lot of time playing pickleball and also enjoys reading.
Even before his time in Austin, Johns had spent time in Florida previously, utilizing the environment there to improve his game. His current move back felt familiar in that regard. A key benefit of being in Florida, according to Johns, is the "higher quantity of high-level pros". This concentration of talent is beneficial because it makes it easier to organise games and drilling sessions. The southeast coast of Florida, where Boca Raton is located, is home to numerous other professional pickleball players. These include prominent names such as Anna Bright, JW and Jorja Johnson, Gabe Tardio, Christian Alshon, and significantly, Anna Leigh Waters, who is Johns' mixed doubles partner. Johns mentioned that he and Anna Leigh Waters occasionally practice together, primarily focusing on drills rather than playing games, because they compete together frequently on tour. He noted that being geographically close is positive for their partnership. The pair have even shared lighthearted moments from their practice sessions on Waters' social media.
Perhaps the most impactful change resulting from the move, from a training perspective, has been the significant alteration of Johns' drilling routine. Johns revealed that he previously had a very specific and consistent training method: “I used to strictly drill 100% of the time with Collin [Johns]. I didn’t play any games”. This revelation was noted as surprising given his considerable success. However, since moving to Florida and accessing the large pool of high-level players there, his routine has shifted dramatically. He now drills only about 20% of the time and spends approximately 80% of his practice engaging in games. Johns explicitly stated that these practice games are "definitely beneficial". He has observed "positive things" resulting from this change, noting that some skills are best developed through drilling, while others are better put into practice during game situations. While he didn't feel he had "capped out" on certain skills, he recognised that there were many things he needed to work on. Playing games, in his view, allows him to practice different skills, making games the current "impetus" for his development.
While shaking up his training routine has been an enjoyable aspect of the move, Johns also makes sure to maintain balance in his life. He prioritises downtime hobbies that help him stay grounded. These activities include reading fantasy books and playing video games like Fortnite. Johns believes that engaging in these enjoyable pursuits is important because if he doesn't, it becomes "hard not to get complacent or get into a monotonous routine". Having these other interests allows him to return to pickleball feeling motivated.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Ben Johns' decision to move to Florida and drastically alter his training regimen from strict drilling to a game-heavy approach highlights the evolving strategies even top professional athletes employ to stay competitive. His move underscores the strategic importance of location for elite pickleball players, particularly the value of being surrounded by a large pool of high-level training partners, which Florida evidently offers. The presence of numerous pros, including his mixed doubles partner Anna Leigh Waters, creates an environment conducive to competitive practice that simulates match conditions more closely than pure drilling. Johns' acknowledgment that playing games has become the "impetus" for his development suggests that even at his level, replicating competitive scenarios is crucial for refining skills and identifying areas for improvement. This move and training shift are not just personal choices but strategic career decisions aimed at maintaining his edge in a sport where competition is rapidly intensifying. Furthermore, Johns' emphasis on balancing pickleball with personal hobbies like reading and gaming provides a valuable insight into the mental demands of professional sports and the importance of preventing burnout and maintaining motivation.