In this video I’m breaking down one of my favorite “small game” shots to learn: the backhand open-faced dink—taught by none other than Ben Johns. The focus here is getting that paddle face open and controlled so your dink stays soft, lands in the kitchen, and doesn’t pop up for your opponent to attack. Even though I’m usually testing paddles and gear, this is the kind of technique that instantly makes your equipment feel “better” because you’re using it the right way. Ben’s key message is that the open face helps you lift the ball with touch instead of forcing it with a big swing. The goal is a simple, repeatable motion that keeps the ball low and unattackable, especially in dink exchanges. If you’ve been struggling with backhand dinks sailing long, sitting up too high, or dying into the net, this is a clean, fundamentals-first breakdown you can start drilling right away.