pickleball swing check/learn/popping up
Why do I keep popping the ball up at the kitchen?
Updated October 2026 · 2-minute read
You keep popping the ball up at the kitchen because you're swinging too much. The fix is simple: loosen your grip and keep your paddle still out front, letting the ball hit it.
How to tell
- Your dinks or volleys fly over the net.
- Opponents easily attack your high balls.
- You hit the ceiling indoors often.
- Your shots feel forced, not soft.
Why it matters
A loose grip lets the ball absorb energy better, not bounce off hard. A still paddle gives you control and consistency. This keeps the ball low and unattackable, making opponents work harder.
The fix
- Loose Grip. Hold the paddle like a handshake, not a hammer. Relax your fingers.
- Paddle Still. Set your paddle out front. Do not swing forward or up. Be a wall.
- Let It Hit. Let the ball come to your paddle. Absorb the pace, don't add to it.
One cue makes it click: Be a soft wall.
2-minute drill
Practice this simple 2-minute drill at home or solo.
- Stand facing a wall or mirror.
- Hold your paddle out front, loose grip, like you're ready to volley.
- Gently toss a ball at the paddle. Let it bounce off, don't swing.
Related fixes
Check yours in 10 seconds
Not sure if it's you? Film a 10-second shadow swing and the free Pickleball Swing Check will tell you — it gives you one thing to work on.