There’s nothing more frustrating than setting up the point perfectly, getting the high ball you’ve been waiting for, and then either hitting it out, into the net, or worse—right back at your opponent. Easy putaways aren’t always easy. In fact, they often reveal the deepest flaws in a player’s approach to pressure, positioning, and preparation. If you find yourself botching what should be a point-ending shot more often than you'd like to admit, you're not alone—and you're probably not analyzing it the right way.

Why "Easy" Putaways Often Fail

Most missed putaways fall into one of three categories: poor footwork, incorrect paddle angle, or mental rushing. And each of those is exacerbated by a hidden variable—where you are in the rally and what cognitive load you’re carrying in that moment. Are you still thinking about the last shot? Are you assuming the point is already won? Or are you overcorrecting for a previous mistake? These moments of mental drift sabotage your ability to execute the highest-percentage shot in Pickleball.

Footwork is the root of nearly every missed overhead or high volley. Many players reach, lean, or jump unnecessarily rather than adjusting their feet. Even at the NVZ, tiny micro-adjustments to center the ball before swinging can dramatically change your consistency. If your body isn’t under control, your paddle won’t be either. This is especially true in doubles, where lateral movement is shared—players sometimes freeze or assume their partner will take the shot, leading to rushed footwork and mishits.

Then there’s paddle face. A putaway isn’t a smash for the sake of power—it’s a controlled shot with the intent to end the point. Flattening your paddle face too early sends the ball into the net. Opening it too much floats it long. The angle needs to match the ball’s height and your court position. If you’re taking the shot from above net height but behind the NVZ, you need a different angle than if you’re taking it right at the line. This is a spatial problem disguised as a technique issue. Good players train this distinction. Average players wing it.

Mental pacing matters more than people realize. Rushing is the most common reason players miss putaways. Not because they can’t hit the shot, but because they hit it half a second too soon. They don’t square up. They don’t track the ball to the paddle. They try to end the point with emotion instead of intention. The best way to counteract this is not to “slow down” in a general sense, but to program a specific cue into your game: “Set, See, Swing.” Set your feet. See the ball all the way to your paddle. Swing with controlled aggression.

Training to Perfect Your Putaway

Training for better putaways is about simulating pressure. Static drills are fine for mechanics, but they don’t prepare you for real-world chaos. One of the most effective methods is the “three-ball putaway drill”: Start with a neutral dink rally. Once the feeder sends a high ball, hit your putaway—but then immediately have them send a second, and then a third shot. This teaches you to maintain balance and readiness after the first kill attempt. It also conditions your body to expect continuation, not premature celebration.

Another smart tactic is to play “no-winner” games—rallies continue after putaways unless the ball physically bounces twice. This removes the mental reward of assuming the point is over. You’ll start hitting putaways with more intention and less desperation. And over time, your accuracy will skyrocket.