Space Balls: Confessions Of Pickleball Pop Up Paula (How She Finally Learned To Keep It Low)

Ever wondered why your pickleball shots keep soaring up toward space, handing easy smashes to opponents and turning rallies into disasters? If you’re tired of being labeled the “pop-up queen” on the court, imagine transforming those frustrating flubs into low, controlled winners that dominate the game. Paula, once infamous as “Pop Up Paula,” did just that—and her journey reveals the secrets every player craves to master the low ball.

Paula’s pickleball nightmare began innocently enough. After retiring, she picked up the sport for fun and fitness, but her habit of popping the ball high quickly earned her a dreaded nickname. Opponents feasted on her errors, smashing lobs like pros, while Paula’s games ended in defeat and groans from partners.

The turning point hit during a local tournament. Paired with neighbor Jerry, Paula faced crafty retirees who dinked low and controlled the net. Her popped third-shot drop hung like a target, leading to an 11-2 loss—and a polite suggestion to “work on her touch.”

Determined to change, Paula confessed her flaws and sought solutions. She realized popping up stemmed from poor fundamentals, not bad luck. Diving into forums, videos, and coaching, she focused on control over power.

Grip and paddle angle proved foundational fixes. Paula ditched her tennis-like Western grip for the continental style, aligning the V of thumb and index finger toward her shoulder. This promoted flatter contact, curbing lift.

• Tip: Hold the paddle like a handshake for dinks.
• Technique: Meet the ball head-on with a push, avoiding scoops.
• Practice: Shadow swing without a ball to build muscle memory.

After a week, her shots felt precise, like guided strikes rather than wild arcs.

Footwork emerged as her sport’s next obsession. Standing too tall forced her to reach down, popping the ball upward. She adopted the “bend your knees, stay low” mantra for better positioning.

At the kitchen line, a low center of gravity allowed explosive, level shots. Paula drilled the split-step: a small hop on the ball’s approach, landing flexed on her toes.

• Pro tip: Step into fast balls with compact swings—never back up.
• Drill: Dink rallies for 20 minutes, eyes glued to the bounce.
• Result: Volleys stayed low, ending pop-up plagues.

Dozens of sessions wired this into habit, transforming her net game.

Shot selection demanded patience, a lesson Paula learned hard. She once swung for home runs on every ball, especially third-shot drops. Now, she prioritizes soft arcs landing in the kitchen, pinning foes.

Using legs for power, not arms, Paula bent knees, rotated hips, and followed through low.

• Strategy: Keep baseline groundstrokes low and deep with light topspin.
• Solo drill: Drop balls from baseline, aiming for 10 soft successes in a row.
• Mix it up: Blend drives and drops to unsettle opponents.

This finesse turned rallies into her advantage.

The mental side challenged Paula most. Impatience fueled rushes, leading to pops in frustration. She embraced dink rallies as strategic chess, focusing on placement.

Breathing deeply between points kept her calm, visualizing low shots.

• Mantra: “Low and slow” before games.
• Drill: “No-lift challenge”—any pop loses the point.
• Focus: Aim at feet or sidelines to force errors.

This mindset shift prioritized control, boosting consistency.

Drills became Paula’s daily ritual for redemption. Warm-ups included 50 dinks per side, progressing to low volley exchanges. A ball machine simulated drives for reset practice.

Absorbing pace with bent elbows, she dropped balls softly.

• Variety: Partner drills for real-game feel.
• Tracking: Journal entries noted fewer pops over time.
• Bonus: These routines sharpened partners’ skills too.

Progress built steadily, turning weakness into strength.

In a triumphant rematch, Paula’s low drops and dinks dominated. Third shots whispered over the net, dinks targeted feet. Winning 11-6, she earned “Low Blow Paula” as a badge of honor.

Paula’s evolution taught humility and persistence. Keeping it low blends technique with mindset.

If pops plague your game, start with grip, stance, and patience. Practice relentlessly—finesse wins in pickleball. Master these, and victories await.