It’s one of the most frustrating things in pickleball—hitting drive after drive straight into the net. It feels like you’re doing everything right: you’re set up, you’ve got your paddle back, and you swing forward with intention… only to watch the ball die right into the tape.
Sound familiar?
It’s a classic issue, especially for players in the early to intermediate levels, and it’s absolutely fixable. The mistake isn’t just mechanical—it’s conceptual. And once you understand it, your drives will start soaring over the net instead of sinking into it.
The #1 Mistake: Swinging on Top of the Ball
The most common reason players hit their drives into the net is they’re swinging over the top of the ball instead of getting underneath it.
Why It Happens:
- You’re thinking about hitting forward, not up.
- You skip the “drop” phase of your swing.
- Your paddle never gets under the ball—so the ball goes down.
In other words: you’re trying to hit forward without lifting. And if you’re not lifting, you’re not clearing the net.
✅ The Fix: Paddle Back, Drop, Swing
Forget the idea of just taking your paddle back and ripping forward. That flat swing path is what’s causing the problem.
Instead, think of your swing like this: Paddle back → Drop → Swing up
Here’s How:
- Paddle Back
Take your paddle back as usual—forehand or backhand. - Drop
Let the paddle head fall below the ball. Loosen your grip slightly to allow the paddle to drop naturally. The tip should point downward, the butt cap toward the ball. - Swing Up
From this dropped position, swing in a low-to-high path. This lifts the ball, adds topspin, and gets it over the net.
Visual learners: Imagine your paddle has a weight at the tip. Let that weight pull your paddle downward before the forward swing. Don’t force it—release it.
Check out this super short video for visual cues on all 3 tips:
Bonus Cue: “Butt Cap to the Ball”
Here’s a genius visual from the lesson: point the butt cap of your paddle at the ball at the beginning of your forward swing.
Why it works:
- Ensures your paddle is angled correctly.
- Encourages a low-to-high swing.
- Prevents you from cutting across or hitting flat.
This one cue can instantly clean up your swing path and it works for both dinks and drives:
Use Your Legs: Bend and Lift
One of the easiest ways to kill your drive—especially off a low bounce—is by keeping your legs straight. This locks you into a swing that’s too flat.
What to do instead:
- Bend into a quarter squat before you swing.
- As you swing forward, lift with your legs.
- Combine that leg lift with your paddle drop to drive through the ball with power and height.
More bend = more lift = more clearance.
Practice Tip: Say It Out Loud
If this sequence feels complicated at first, say it out loud while you do it:
- Paddle back
- Drop
- Swing
Or better yet:
- Paddle back → Bounce → Drop → Swing
Calling out the “bounce” helps time your drop and avoid rushing. It also builds muscle memory faster because you’re linking words with movement.
Start With Drop Drills
If you’re struggling to put it all together mid-rally, simplify. Practice the drop and swing in isolation first:
- Start in the “drop” position—paddle below the ball.
- Hit soft drives focusing only on swinging up.
- Once that feels good, add the paddle-back phase.
- Finally, integrate footwork and bounce timing.
You don’t need to master it all at once. Start with form, then layer in timing and movement.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Gripping the paddle too tight: This prevents the paddle from dropping. Loosen up.
- Confusing drop with arm movement: The drop is just the paddle head, not your whole arm.
- Twisting the wrist: Keep the wrist stable. Don’t “flick” to drop—let gravity do the work.
- Skipping the leg bend: Standing tall flattens your swing. Get low and lift with your legs.
TL;DR: This One Fix Changes Everything
The mistake of swinging over the top of the ball is so common because it feels natural—but it’s not effective.
To fix it, all you need to do is:
- Drop the paddle under the ball
- Swing with a low-to-high path
- Use your legs to lift
- Focus on timing by calling out the bounce
- Point the butt cap to the ball
It’s that simple—and that powerful.
So the next time you hit another drive into the net, pause. Ask yourself: Did I drop the paddle? Did I bend my knees?
Then fix it. Say it out loud. And swing up.
The net is no longer your enemy. It’s just a reminder to lift before you launch.
