

Every pickleball player has been there: you accidentally pop up the ball, and suddenly it feels like you’ve painted a target on your chest. If you’re not careful, you’ll find yourself dodging smashes or getting caught off guard.
But don’t worry—this common situation doesn’t have to leave you vulnerable. With a few adjustments and some practice, you can turn a pop-up into a manageable moment.
Why Is Popping Up the Ball a Problem?
When you hit the ball high over the net, it gives your opponent an easy opportunity to attack. They’ll likely hit a hard shot aimed at your feet or body, making it difficult for you to defend.
This is especially risky if you’re standing too close to the kitchen line, where you have little time to react.
Step-by-Step: How to Handle a Pop-Up
- Take a Step Back: When you realize you’ve hit a pop-up, immediately step one or two feet back from the kitchen line. This gives you more time to react and puts you in a better position to defend against the attack.
- Lower Your Paddle: Your opponent will likely aim downward, so keep your paddle low and ready to block shots directed at your feet. A loose wrist will help you absorb the impact and guide the ball back over the net.
- Reset the Ball: Instead of trying to hit a winning shot, focus on resetting the rally. Aim to guide the ball softly back into your opponent’s kitchen, slowing the game down and preventing them from attacking further.
- Reclaim the Kitchen: Once you’ve successfully reset the ball, step forward and regain your position at the kitchen line. This is where you want to be for maximum control in a rally.
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Defensive Tips to Avoid Future Pop-Ups
- Stay Low and Balanced: A strong, low stance helps you control your shots better, preventing the ball from popping up. Bend your knees and keep your weight slightly forward to maintain stability.
- Anticipate Your Opponent’s Shots: Watch your opponent’s paddle position. If their paddle is high, anticipate a downward shot aimed at your feet. If it’s lower, they may try to hit a soft shot or dink. Adjust your stance accordingly.
- Control Your Paddle Position: Your paddle position should change depending on where you are on the court. In the transition zone, keep your paddle low to defend against fast, downward shots. At the kitchen line, adopt a ready position at chest height for better reaction to volleys.
- Practice Reset Shots: Resetting the ball into your opponent’s kitchen is one of the hardest skills in pickleball, but it’s also one of the most important. Spend time drilling reset shots to improve your ability to recover from tricky situations.
Understanding Time and Anticipation
The closer you are to the net, the less time you have to react. This is why the kitchen line is often called the “fastest spot on the court.” At the baseline, you might have over a second to react to a shot, but at the kitchen line, it could be less than half a second.
Mastering the concept of time and honing your anticipation skills are essential for maintaining control in fast-paced rallies:
1. Read Your Opponent’s Paddle
Your opponent’s paddle position can reveal their next move:
- Paddle High: Expect a downward attack aimed at your feet or body.
- Paddle Low: Anticipate a dink or a softer shot into the kitchen.
2. Watch Their Body Movement
Observe your opponent’s stance and body language:
- Leaning Forward: Likely preparing for an aggressive volley.
- Leaning Back: They might lob or hit a defensive shot.
3. Pay Attention to Ball Trajectory
The angle and speed of the ball after your opponent’s contact can give you clues about where it’s headed. Practice tracking the ball as early as possible to gain a head start on positioning.
- High Arc: Likely a lob. Move back quickly to prepare for an overhead or defensive shot.
- Flat and Fast: Indicates a drive or smash aimed at your feet or body. Lower your paddle and prepare to block or reset.
- Slow and Bouncing: Likely a dink. Move forward and prepare to return with control.
- Curving Side Spin: Spin causes the ball to veer unpredictably upon landing. Position early to adjust for the bounce:


4. Stay Ready
Your paddle position should align with where you expect the ball to go:
- At the Baseline: Keep your paddle higher, as shots are more likely to come at shoulder or chest level.
- In the Transition Zone: Paddle should stay low, ready for fast, downward shots.
- At the Kitchen Line: Paddle at chest height for quick volleys.
3 Anticipation Drills
- Mirror Drill: Practice shadowing an opponent’s movements, focusing on their paddle and body cues.
- Reaction Time Games: Use a partner to simulate fast shots while you practice reading their paddle position.
- Predict and React: During drills, call out where you think the ball will go based on your opponent’s setup, then move to intercept it.
Finding Confidence After a Pop-Up
Popping up the ball might feel like a rookie mistake, but here’s the truth: even experienced players deal with it. The difference is how they respond. Instead of viewing a pop-up as a failure, treat it as an opportunity to sharpen your defense and reset the rally.
Great pickleball isn’t about playing perfectly—it’s about staying adaptable. Sometimes, that means knowing when to step back and give up ground to regain control. Defensive play, like resetting into the kitchen or positioning yourself to block a smash, is just as vital as hitting winners.
Remember, every pop-up is a chance to practice staying composed under pressure. The more you embrace these moments, the better your reflexes, anticipation, and court awareness will become.