If you’re like most recreational pickleball players, you probably think your biggest issues are pop-ups or balls flying out of bounds. But there’s a more common—and costly—mistake that often gets overlooked: hitting the net.
Let’s start by reframing the issue. Most players assume net errors are caused by poor stroke mechanics. That’s not entirely true. The real issue often lies in your shot decisions—especially aiming too low when clearing the net. When a ball clips the net, it’s almost always because the player hasn’t allowed for sufficient margin over the top. They’re aiming just above the net rather than giving themselves a cushion. In a game where a few inches make the difference, that’s a calculated risk you can’t afford to take.
I see this happen in every camp I coach: players aiming for precision instead of safety. But keep this in mind—every shot over the net has a better chance of success if it passes higher. The margin is everything.
Let’s Redefine “Pop-Up”: It’s About Depth, Not Just Height
Now you may be thinking: “If I hit the ball too high, won’t it be a pop-up?” That’s a common misconception. Pop-ups aren’t defined simply by how high the ball travels over the net, but by how deep they bounce. A shot that clears the net with good height but lands short—in the non-volley zone (also called the kitchen)—is not automatically attackable.
In fact, that kind of shallow, high-arc shot is exactly what you want. It gives you clearance over the net while still taking advantage of the court’s most strategic space: the non-volley zone. A low, deep ball? That’s the one most likely to be punished.
If I gave you the choice of hitting:
☑ A ball that travels low and deep past the NVZ or
☑ A ball that travels high and drops inside the kitchen
You want the second. Every time. That higher trajectory gives you safety without making the ball attackable.
The Truth About Attackable Dinks and Whether You Need Spin
Another concern players raise is whether a ball that bounces high in the kitchen becomes easy to attack. Here’s what we know from measured demonstrations: even shots dropped from above six feet into the kitchen barely rebound to net height. So the idea that a dink becomes attackable just because of a slight bounce isn’t supported by what actually happens on court.
Do you need to add spin to avoid making your shots attackable? Not really. For most levels of play, a flat dink with good placement and a shallow bounce serves you just fine. I remind players all the time: even top-level pros don’t put spin on every shot. Neither should you—especially when control and accuracy are your priorities.
Build a Higher Net Margin Into Every Shot
Once you understand that pop-ups relate to depth and not height, you can begin to build smarter habits. Whether you’re dinking, serving, or returning, you should always be aiming with a natural arc that clears the net comfortably. The farther you are from the net—or the more defensive your position—the higher your shot should be. Lift the ball and trust the court.
Remember: take the net out of play by taking it out of the equation. Give yourself room. You can’t afford to aim low anymore.
Final Thoughts:
Hitting the net is the most common unforced error in pickleball—and fortunately, one of the easiest to fix. By adjusting your shot trajectory and focusing on depth rather than just height, you’ll immediately reduce your error rate and gain more control in your rallies. Understanding how and when your shot becomes attackable allows you to make better choices without guessing.
Watch the full lesson in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwjS21l4ogc
If you found this approach helpful and want to explore more coaching that gets to the “why” behind your game, visit the Better Pickleball Academy or grab our free strategy guide to start playing more confidently—one smart decision at a time.
