PickleFitter

Putaways in pickleball: finishing the high ball, with drills

How to finish a point when the ball sits up: where to aim (the feet, the middle, the sharp angle), how hard to hit it, and drills from self-feeds to live play, for 3.0 to 4.5+.

For players rated 3.0+

When to use it

A putaway is the shot that ends the point when you get a high ball: a dink that pops up, a reset that floats, a short lob. It isn't the hardest shot you have; it's the one aimed where they can't get it back.

The usual targets are down at the feet of a player at the net, through the middle between two players, or a sharp angle off the side of the court. Hit down on it, keep the swing compact so you're ready if it comes back, and pick the target before the ball arrives.

The putaways toolbox

Where to send a high ball, and the stroke that gets it there.

Where to aim

At the feet

Topspin

Down at the feet of a player at the net: the hardest place to hit back from, and a safe target because it stays in the court.

Through the middle

Push

Between two players: both can hesitate, and the gap is often the widest target on the court.

The sharp angle

Topspin

Off the side of the court, past a player who has drifted to the middle. Only from close to the net, where the angle is there.

The stroke

Punch volley

Push

A short, firm punch from in front of the body, the paddle face pointing down at the target. Little backswing, so you recover fast.

Overhead

Push

For a ball above your head: turn sideways, reach up and hit down. See Lobs and overheads.

Roll it down

Topspin

A ball a little above the net but not high enough to hit down hard: brush up with topspin so it dips at their feet.

Drills, stage by stage

Your level
Practising

Not sure of your level? What the ratings mean

Stage 1 · Solo

Hit down

Self-fed high balls into targets, to groove a compact, downward swing.

  • Contact above the net, the paddle face pointing at the target.
  • Short backswing; finish with the paddle in front, ready again.
  • Aim first, then hit.

  1. 1.Self-fed putaways

    Solo2.5–3.0

    Grooves a compact downward putaway into a target.

    FROM ABOVEFEETKITCHENKITCHENAFROM THE SIDEKITCHENKITCHENnet height34 inA
    A tosses a high ball and hits it down into the target, then resets to ready.
    1. Stand at the kitchen line. Lay a towel at the far kitchen line as the target, where a player's feet would be.
    2. Toss a ball up above the net in front of you and hit it down into the target.
    3. Short backswing, paddle face at the target, finish in front. Reset to ready after every ball.

    Reps: 3 rounds of 15

Stage 2 · With a partner

Finish from a feed

A partner feeds high balls; you put them away and recover.

  • Pick the target before the ball reaches you.
  • The feet first: it's the safest target.
  • Expect it back. Recover to ready after every putaway.
  • Skinny singles: straight ahead on one half.

  1. 2.Feet first

    With a partner2.5–3.0

    Trains putting high balls at the feet of a player at the net.

    FROM ABOVEKITCHENKITCHENABFROM THE SIDEKITCHENKITCHENnet height34 inABYOUR VIEWfeet
    B pops a ball up…
    1. Your partner stands at the kitchen line and pops balls up to you.
    2. Put each one away at your partner's feet, firm but under control.
    3. Your partner doesn't try to return it yet; just count how many land at the feet.

    Reps: 3 rounds of 15

  2. 3.Finish, then reset

    With a partner3.5

    Trains a putaway you can recover from, because good players get some back.

    FROM ABOVEKITCHENKITCHENABFROM THE SIDEKITCHENKITCHENnet height34 inAB
    B pops it up; A puts it away at B's feet…
    1. Your partner pops a ball up; put it away at their feet.
    2. Your partner tries to block it back. If they do, play the next ball soft: a dink or a reset, not another swing from off balance.
    3. A clean winner scores 1; a putaway that misses loses 1.

    Reps: Games to 11

Stage 3 · Three players

Two to beat

Against two players, pick the gap: the middle when they're apart, the angle when they pinch in.

  • Look at where they stand, not just at the ball.
  • Through the middle is the safer choice; the angle needs you close to the net.

  1. 4.Middle or angle

    Three players3.5

    Trains choosing the putaway target from where the two players stand.

    FROM ABOVEKITCHENKITCHENACDFROM THE SIDEKITCHENKITCHENnet height34 inCAD
    C and D are wide apart: A puts the high ball through the middle…
    1. You play one side alone at the kitchen line; two players play the other.
    2. They pop balls up and move between points: sometimes wide apart, sometimes pinched in.
    3. When they're apart, put it through the middle; when they pinch in, take the sharp angle.

    Reps: 3 rounds of 12

Stage 4 · Four players

Live finishing

In real rallies, wait for the ball that's truly high, and finish it before the other team can reset.

  • Only above the net. Everything else is a dink, a roll or a reset.
  • The one who doesn't hit covers the block that comes back.

  1. 5.Pop-up game

    Four players4.0

    Trains spotting the ball that's truly high and finishing it, in a dink game.

    FROM ABOVEKITCHENKITCHENABCDFROM THE SIDEKITCHENKITCHENnet height34 inACBD
    A dink game…
    1. Play a dink game, both teams at the kitchen line.
    2. Any ball above the net must be put away; a putaway that misses loses the point.
    3. The defending team tries to block putaways back; a block that wins the rally scores 2.

    Reps: Games to 11

  2. 6.Pick the putaway

    Four players4.5+

    Trains choosing the target from where the other team is, ball by ball.

    FROM ABOVEKITCHENKITCHENABCDFROM THE SIDEKITCHENKITCHENnet height34 inACBDYOUR VIEWfeetmiddle
    A high ball, and C is close to the net: A goes at C's feet…
    1. Play out points from a dink rally; one team feeds a pop-up to start.
    2. The player finishing picks the target: the feet of a player close to the net, the middle when they're split, the angle when they pinch in.
    3. Score 2 for a winner at the target you called before the point, 1 for any other winner.

    Reps: Games to 15

Common mistakes

  • Swinging as hard as you can. Placement wins, and a big swing leaves you out of position if it comes back.
  • Putting away a ball that isn't high enough. If you'd have to hit up or flat, dink, roll or reset it instead.
  • Hitting at the chest of a player who's ready. Go at the feet or through the middle.
  • Going for the sharp angle from too far back. The angle is only there close to the net.
  • Admiring the shot. Recover to ready; good players get putaways back.

What to work on at your level

2.5–3.0Hit high balls down into the court, not as hard as you can.
3.5Put high balls at the feet, and recover to ready after every putaway.
4.0Pick the target from where they stand: the feet, the middle or the sharp angle.
4.5+Finish the first truly high ball at the target the rally opened, and stay balanced for the block that comes back.

Paddles that help

Putaways reward pace when the ball sits up, and a power paddle finishes it with a shorter swing.

Best Pickleball Paddles for Power

Common questions

What is a putaway in pickleball?
A shot that ends the point, hit when the other team gives you a high ball. It's aimed where they can't return it, rather than just hit hard.
Where should I aim a putaway?
Usually at the feet of a player at the net, or through the middle between two players. The sharp angle works when you're close to the net and a player has drifted toward the middle.
How hard should I hit a putaway?
Firm but controlled. Placement matters more than pace, and a compact swing keeps you ready if it comes back.
Why do my putaways go out?
Usually the contact is too low to hit down, or the swing is too big. If the ball isn't above the net, it isn't a putaway yet.

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