How to Stop Popping Up in Softball
Quick answer
You pop the ball up when your bat path goes under it, usually from dropping your back shoulder too much or chopping down at a ball that is already descending. The fix is to level your swing to match the pitch and stay through the middle of the ball instead of swinging up and under it.
What is happening
A pop-up means the bat contacts the bottom half of the ball with an upward, glancing path. In slow-pitch especially, the ball is dropping, so an exaggerated uppercut sends it straight up.
The common causes are a dropped back shoulder, lunging, or trying to lift the ball — all of which steepen the path under the ball.
Diagnose it yourself
- Chart your outs: mostly pop-ups, or a mix?
- Check your back shoulder — is it dipping low in the load?
- Are you trying to lift or "launch" the ball on purpose?
- Film from the side to see your bat path versus the pitch.
What SwingIQ looks for
- Bat path relative to the incoming pitch
- Back-shoulder height and posture through the swing
- Contact point on the ball (under vs. through the middle)
- Lunging or drifting that drops the barrel
Beginner-safe drills
1. Belt-high tee drill
Set a tee at belt height and drive line drives into a net with a level path. Reward flat, hard contact. 3 sets of 10.
2. Level-shoulder cue
Make slow swings keeping your shoulders relatively level through the turn so the barrel stays in the zone longer. 2 sets of 10.
3. Stay-through soft toss
Soft toss focusing on driving through the middle of the ball toward the pitcher, not lifting it. 2 sets of 10.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Dropping the back shoulder to "get under" the ball.
- Trying to lift or launch the ball on purpose.
- Lunging forward, which drops the barrel under the ball.
- Swinging up at a dropping pitch in slow-pitch.
When to work with a coach
If pop-ups continue after leveling your path, a hitting coach can confirm whether it is shoulder tilt, timing, or posture and adjust your cue.
Your swing, decoded — coaching in your pocket. SwingIQ reads your data and hands you the one fix that matters most, with confident, data-backed guidance you can use today. Findings are heuristic estimates — smart reads that sharpen with every swing you add — and they pair perfectly with a coach for injury concerns or advanced technique work, so you show up to those sessions already ahead.
Warm up first and use an age-appropriate bat. Youth players should practice with adult supervision.
FAQ
Why do I keep popping up?
Almost always because the bat is traveling under the ball — usually a dropped back shoulder or trying to lift it. Level the path and stay through the middle.
Should my swing be level or slightly up?
Match the pitch. In slow-pitch a slightly upward path matched to the drop works; an exaggerated uppercut causes pop-ups.
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