Professional pickleball player and coach Collin Johns is widely regarded as one of the sharpest tactical minds in the sport. Known for his analytical approach and calm presence on court, Johns has built a reputation not just as an elite competitor, but also as a trusted voice in coaching and player development.
Speaking on Pickleball360, Johns said, “If you’re new to pickleball and you’re not really sure what to do when you have two people, skinny singles can be a great option.”
What is Skinny Singles?
Johns dissected it in simpler terms: “So what skinny singles really means is that you’re going to play on half the court, and in this variation you’re going to start up at the kitchen line.”
The concept revolves around minimizing court coverage while maximizing shot repetition. Instead of using the full singles court, players divide it vertically. “How we divide the court in half is pretty straightforward. We have that line running down the centre. We’re just going to extend that as an imaginary line through the court,” Johns says.
By treating the centerline as a boundary that runs the entire length of the court, players limit play to one half, reducing movement demands while sharpening precision.
How the Rally Begins
The format also includes a structured start to encourage control and touch. “How we’re going to start the rally is I’m going to feed the ball underhand into the kitchen. She has to play the first ball back into my kitchen, so the green zone in front of me, all the way to the net, and then from there we’re just going to play it out.”
Once that initial exchange is complete, the rally opens up. “So I just toss the ball into the kitchen, Georgia hits it back, and now anything goes.”
Strategy and Skill Development
After the controlled start, players can choose how they want to play. “So you can attack right away, you can play a little bit more patient,” Collin Johns says, showing the flexibility the format offers.
However, one rule remains constant, “That side of the court is out of play for both of us, so this really minimises the amount of movement we have to take.”
While movement is reduced, it isn’t eliminated. “Certainly you can move a little bit back and forth laterally to get in position. If somebody lobs you, you’re going to have to run back for that one,” she adds.
Why Beginners Love It
According to Johns, the appeal lies in repetition and skill-building. “But the reason this game is so fun in the beginning is you get a lot of experience with shots like dinks and volleys.”
By focusing on half-court exchanges near the kitchen line, players naturally develop touch, reflexes, and control, foundational skills in pickleball. For beginners stepping onto the court for the first time, skinny singles may just be the perfect way to start, simple, strategic, and surprisingly competitive.