How to Stop Popping the Ball Up in Pickleball (Fix the #1 Intermediate Mistake) 🏓

If you’re an intermediate player, you’ve probably experienced this:you’re in a good rally, everything feels under control… and then suddenly you pop the ball up — giving your opponent an easy winner.

It’s one of the most common mistakes in pickleball, and fixing it can instantly level up your game.

This guide explains why you’re popping the ball up and exactly how to stop it.

What Does “Popping the Ball Up” Mean?

A “pop-up” is when you hit the ball too high, usually:

• during a dink

• on a reset shot

• or when under pressure

This gives your opponent:👉 an easy smash👉 full control of the point

At intermediate level, this is often the difference between winning and losing rallies.

Why Intermediate Players Pop the Ball Up

1. Paddle Face Too Open

This is the most common cause.

If your paddle is angled upward:

• the ball lifts

• you lose control

• your opponent attacks

  
  

2. Hitting Instead of Lifting Softly

Many players try to “hit” the ball instead of guiding it.

Result:

• too much force

• not enough control

• ball floats high

  
  

3. Contacting the Ball Too High

If you contact the ball above your ideal strike zone:

• it naturally goes upward

• especially on dinks and resets

  
  

4. Poor Footwork / Reaching

If you’re off-balance or reaching:

• you lose control of paddle angle

• pop-ups become much more likely

  
  

5. Tension in Your Grip

A tight grip causes:

• less feel

• more rebound

• less control

This often leads to accidental pop-ups.

How to Stop Popping the Ball Up

1. Close Your Paddle Face Slightly

Think:👉 “flat or slightly downward”

Not:👉 angled upward

This alone fixes a huge percentage of pop-ups.

2. Use a Soft Grip (This Is Big)

Grip pressure:👉 3–4 out of 10

This allows:

• better control

• softer contact

• more precise placement

  
  

3. Contact the Ball in Front of You

Ideal contact point:

• slightly in front of your body

• around waist height

Avoid:

• hitting late

• hitting too high

  
  

4. Bend Your Knees (Don’t Reach)

Instead of reaching:👉 get low and move your feet

This keeps:

• your paddle stable

• your shots controlled

  
  

5. Think “Lift and Guide”, Not “Hit”

Especially on:

• dinks

• resets

• defensive shots

Your goal is:👉 control, not power

The Simple Mental Cue

Next time you play, remember this:

👉 “Soft hands, flat paddle, lift the ball — don’t hit it.”

This one thought can transform your consistency.

Drill to Fix Pop-Ups Fast

Kitchen Dink Control Drill

1. Stand at the kitchen with a partner

2. Rally using only dinks

3. Focus on:

   • low trajectory

   • soft contact

   • consistency

Goal:👉 20+ shots without a pop-up

This builds:

• touch

• control

• confidence

  
  

What Good Players Do Differently

Better players:

• rarely give high balls

• keep everything low

• force errors instead of rushing points

They don’t win by hitting harder —👉 they win by not giving you attackable balls.

The Real Shift (This Changes Everything)

At intermediate level, improvement isn’t about power anymore.

It’s about:

• control

• patience

• shot quality

If you eliminate pop-ups:

• rallies get longer

• you gain control

• you win more points

• 
  

Start Fixing It in Your Next Game

This is one of the fastest improvements you can make in pickleball.

Next time you step on court:

• focus on paddle angle

• relax your grip

• prioritise control

Fix this one mistake, and your level will jump immediately.

Want to practice this in real games?Find a local session, get reps in, and start building consistency.