Catherine Parenteau is one of pickleball’s most decorated pros, so when she has tips to share, grab a pen and paper because class is in session.

Her most recent video release on YouTube - "How To Prevent Pop Ups in Pickleball" - provides key information that will definitely make you a more effective player.

“Do you always pop up the ball when you’re trying to block?” Parenteau asked her viewers.

“The number one reason why you pop up the ball when you’re trying to block is that you’re punching back forward,” she explained. “You cannot follow through. The minute you follow through and you’re trying to block, there’s too much pace behind the ball and you’re most likely going to give your opponents what they want, a second pop up.”

Parenteau has three tips to prevent pop ups:

• 1. Freeze your wrist
• 2. Let the ball to the work
• 3. Do not punch forward

There are several reasons why you could be popping up the ball.

First, you might have too tight of a grip on your paddle, so keep it loose. 

Another possibility is that you're moving to get the ball, which can make it more difficult to find the right contact point on your paddle.

Your paddle position may also be impacting your pop ups. 

“If your paddle is too parallel to the net, the ball is going to go straight down. But, if the paddle is slightly open towards the sky, it should be good enough for the ball to have an arc and go over the net,” explained Parenteau. “But if it’s too open, it will pop up. It’s hard to find the in-between with your paddle face.”

Finally, your body weight distribution can help prevent pop ups. If your weight is back on your heels, your paddle face naturally opens up towards the sky and you will pop the ball up. To prevent that, keep your weight forward when you’re trying to block. 

Then, Parenteau provides a drill she likes to run with her coach and wife,  Athena Trouillot, to help prevent pop ups.

It’s called "Catch and Release."

“We’re both going to catch the ball and then hit it back as a volley. When you catch the ball, it’s focusing on what you need to work on to not punch back, the loose grip, and moving your weight forward,” demonstrated Parenteau. “You’re practicing the basics of blocking. And when you hit the ball back, your practice partner can also practice blocking shots.”

 
Parenteau recommended using this drill with your backhand.

This exercise might seem simple because Parenteau and Trouillot are the best in the business and make everything look easy, but I have a sneaking suspicion that if I tried it with my doubles partner, we’d barely execute back-to-back shots correctly. 

If you’re a star pickleballer, however, the next step is for one person to catch and release, and the other person to just volley it back. Then, switch roles. 

These tips will help you make those pesky pop ups a thing of the past.

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