At the recent PPA National Championships, siblings Jorja and JW Johnson achieved a major upset by defeating top seeds Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters in a three-game thriller. By utilizing aggressive court positioning and precise shot selection, the Johnsons dismantled the world’s best team through a calculated, high-pressure game plan.
The 7 Tactics That Secured the Upset
The Johnson siblings maintained a high level of play while forcing the top seeds into uncharacteristic errors. Here are the seven specific tactics they employed to control the match:
- Jorja’s Cross-Body Defense: Instead of retreating when JW Johnson’s cross-body attacks were incoming, Jorja stood her ground at the kitchen line. By refusing to give up space and trusting her hands, she successfully used the pace of the incoming shots against her opponents.
- The Flying Erne: Jorja executed two distinct Ernes, including a full flying leap. This move disrupted the rhythm of the top seeds by taking time away from them and creating extreme angles that are impossible to cover from a standard kitchen position.
- Disguised Short Hop Lobs: By masking the lob behind a predictable soft game, the Johnsons caught their opponents off guard. These lobs were hit with such perfect disguise that even Ben Johns struggled to recover, proving the effectiveness of the shot when used as a surprise weapon.
- Strategic Lobbing: As the match progressed, JW Johnson began incorporating deeper lobs. By threatening the lob, he forced Ben and Anna Leigh to respect the space behind them, which opened up more opportunities for the Johnsons to dominate the rest of the court.
- Speed-Ups to the Hip: During intense firefights, Jorja consistently targeted Ben Johns’ hips. By alternating between his left and right sides, she forced him into awkward paddle positions, making it difficult for him to return the ball effectively.
- Relentless Kitchen Pressure: The Johnsons maintained a high level of physical aggression throughout the match. By staying glued to the kitchen line and refusing to back down, they kept the top seeds feeling uncomfortable and unable to settle into their preferred rhythm.
- Adapting to Adjustments: The siblings demonstrated a high level of tactical flexibility. Whenever Ben and Anna Leigh attempted to change their strategy, the Johnsons had an immediate answer, ensuring they stayed one step ahead of the top seeds for the duration of the three-game match.
While the Johnsons executed their plan, the match was also defined by unforced errors from the top seeds. Ben Johns struggled with his third-shot drops, often leaving midcourt balls high for the Johnsons to attack, while Anna Leigh Waters remained in a passive crosscourt dinking pattern for too long, allowing the siblings to dictate the pace of play.
