The Pickleball Doctor Reveals: Why Singles is a Beast & the Recovery Secrets of Top Pro Ben Johns
What's the Score?
Dr. Noe Sariban, known as The Pickleball Doctor and the physical therapist for top pickleball professional Ben Johns, has shared his expert insights on the unique physical demands of singles pickleball and the critical recovery strategies employed by elite players like Johns. Sariban, a former pro pickleball player himself, argues that singles pickleball can be more physically taxing than tennis due to its aggressive, basketball-like movements and the faster pace of play. He emphasizes the importance of a cool-down routine and strategic stretching, revealing that Johns consistently dedicates 40 minutes to an hour daily to stretching to maintain peak performance.
Hit it deeper!
Dr. Noe Sariban, a Doctor of Physical Therapy with a background as a professional pickleball player, brings a unique perspective to understanding the physical demands of the sport. As the trusted physical therapist for Ben Johns for over two years, travelling with him to tournaments, Sariban has firsthand experience with the rigours of elite-level competition. His expertise has led him to conclude that singles pickleball can be exceptionally strenuous, even more so than tennis in certain aspects.
Sariban explains that the movement patterns in singles pickleball are more akin to basketball than tennis, involving frequent forward, side-to-side, backpedalling, and pivot movements. Unlike tennis, where the bounce of the ball provides more reaction time, pickleball's less frequent bounce means players have less time to reach the ball, contributing to the aggressive nature of the movements. While basketball involves these movements over longer periods, singles pickleball points, averaging around four to eight seconds, demand quick and repeated bursts of intense activity.
Given these intense physical demands, recovery is paramount for professional pickleball players like Ben Johns, who often compete in multiple events within a tournament. Sariban emphasizes that recovery strategies are not universally understood and can vary from person to person. However, he recommends a general cool-down routine that involves continued movement after playing to gradually lower the heart rate and maintain blood flow throughout the body. Activities like gentle cycling, walking, or performing the warm-up routine in reverse can be effective cool-down methods.
Stretching is another crucial component of recovery, but Sariban advises a strategic approach based on the time available between matches. He suggests stretching if there is more than an hour between matches but cautions against stretching too close to playing again, as it can negatively impact power output and muscle performance. In the case of Ben Johns, Sariban reveals that they consistently dedicate 40 minutes to an hour each day to stretching, focusing on specific areas to address any issues and prepare him for the following day's matches. This dedicated time underscores the importance placed on recovery by top professionals to sustain their performance over the course of demanding tournaments.
Sariban's approach to physical therapy for pickleball athletes combines his medical knowledge with his personal experience in the sport, allowing him to provide tailored advice and strategies to keep players like Ben Johns at their peak.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Dr. Noe Sariban's insights into the physical demands of singles pickleball and the recovery protocols of a top player like Ben Johns provide valuable information for players of all levels. His perspective that singles can be more strenuous than tennis due to its unique movement patterns is eye-opening. The emphasis on proper cool-down routines and the strategic timing of stretching are crucial takeaways for optimizing performance and preventing injuries. The revelation of Ben Johns' dedicated stretching regimen highlights the commitment required at the elite level. Sariban's expertise bridges the gap between physical therapy and the specific needs of pickleball athletes, contributing to a better understanding of how to train and recover effectively in this rapidly growing sport.