Let’s be honest. If you’ve ever popped up a dink in pickleball, you already know what’s coming next…
A fast ball to your partner’s chest, a frustrated sigh, and that look that says, “Seriously?”
But here’s the good news: if you’re ready to avoid popups at the kitchen, it’s 100% doable — and it doesn’t take a complete overhaul of your game. Just a few smart tweaks to your stance, grip, and swing can make a huge difference.
I’m CJ Johnson from Better Pickleball, and over the years, I’ve helped thousands of players stop popping up shots — especially dinks — and play with more confidence and control.
Let’s walk through six common dink mistakes that lead to pop-ups at the kitchen and how you can fix each one.
1. Standing Too Narrow at the Kitchen Line
Many players come out stiff and upright — feet too close together and barely a bend in the knees. That posture limits your movement and almost guarantees your dinks float.
✅ Fix it: If you want to avoid popups at the kitchen, stand wider than shoulder-width with soft knees. This balanced stance helps you move and absorb pace, so your dinks stay low.
2. Holding the Paddle Too Tight
One of the fastest ways to lose touch at the kitchen? Death grip. When your paddle is locked in a tight squeeze, the ball bounces off with way too much energy.
✅ Fix it: Use a grip pressure of 2–3 on a scale of 10. Think “firm handshake,” not “crush the paddle.” You’ll feel more control instantly and avoid popups at the kitchen.
3. Taking a Big Backswing
A big backswing adds too much power — and at the kitchen line, power is your enemy.
✅ Fix it: Keep your backswing short and controlled. Take your paddle to where the ball’s going to be, then gently lift it over the net. Small swing = better accuracy=avoid popups at the kitchen
4. Using Too Much Wrist
Wrist flicks are fun… until your dink sails right into a smash. Wrist motion is inconsistent and hard to control — especially in pressure situations.
✅ Fix it: In order to avoid popups at the kitchen, let your shoulder guide the paddle. Your wrist should stay relaxed, but the movement comes from bigger, more stable muscles.
5. Reaching Instead of Moving
If you’re leaning for every wide dink, you’re off-balance — and likely popping it up. One player told me someone called her “Eileen”… because she leaned so much! 😂
✅ Fix it: Stay on the balls of your feet (we call them the “triangles”) so you can move instead of reach. This helps you stay in control and avoid panic swings.
6. Hitting Before the Bounce Peaks
Many players rush their shot — taking it too early after the bounce. That’s what we call the short hop, and it’s one of the hardest times to control the ball.
✅ Fix it: Let the ball rise to the apex of its bounce. That’s when it’s slowest and easiest to handle. Be patient, and you’ll avoid popups at the kitchen more often.
The Simple Strategy to Avoid Popups at the Kitchen and Play Smarter Pickleball
Controlling your dinks isn’t about flashy technique—it’s about solid fundamentals. Fix any one of these six mistakes, and you’ll not only avoid pop-ups, but also make life easier for your partner (and save yourself from a few pointed glances across the net!).
The good news? They’re all fixable. And it starts with knowing what to work on.
If you want more tips specific to your game and for less than the cost of one lesson, the Better Pickleball Academy for Players Over 50 puts real coaching in your pocket all year long—so you can stay sharp, confident, and in the game.
Quick Recap: 6 Ways to Avoid Popups at the Kitchen
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Widen your stance and bend your knees
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Loosen your grip
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Shorten your swing
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Stop flicking with your wrist
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Move your feet instead of leaning
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Let the ball rise to the apex before hitting
See all of these tips in action! Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a7rZzS-yA8
Which one is sneaking into your game the most?
Leave a comment below — I’d love to hear it.
And remember…
Train smart. Live bold. Age well.
— CJ
Want more pickleball intelligence to improve your game? Check out our full line up of classes in the Better Pickleball Academy
CJ Johnson
Hey there — I’m a professional three-sport athlete and coach who has spent my entire adult life earning a living from playing and coaching sports. Since I started coaching more than three decades ago, one thing has remained the same: My commitment to see students not as they are but as what they can become and to move heaven and earth to help them realize their untapped potential. You should know that when it comes to helping pickleball players over 50 live their best lives on and off the courts, I'm an expert. Good pickleball is not just technique; it's the mind and body working holistically. That's why I'm also a personal trainer and weight management specialist. When I’m chillin', you'll find me watching Star Trek with my husband John and our two fur babies, Shirley and Ralph. (Yes, Happy Days)
Not moving my feet and wrist….have a feeling I may be keeping my wrist to tight !
You are correct reaching (your body motion) can be a source of pop ups and so can grip pressure, but grip pressure or the tight wrist is much less of a problem than the backswing and body motion. Put yourself on video and see if you can pick it out.
I am not consistent with my serves. This losses point potential for us. What can I do?
You’re not alone—many players struggle with serve consistency. The best first step is keeping it simple: aim for depth, not power or spin. A deep, reliable serve does more for your game than a fancy one. We’ll be digging into consistency throughout the training, so you’ll have clear steps to practice.