On the odd accasion where I style my hair up in one (as opposed to middle part, or half up half down), I always do it in sections and on wet or damp hair.
So I'll start by smoothing the front and middle section into position. This avoids a lumpy mid-section. I'll add more hair by smoothing with my hands into the section I'm already gripping, until I reach my hairline and all hair is contained.
If it's a high ponytail, I tip my head upside down and let gravity do the work, while using the same method. Because my hair is gelled and wet or damp, the weight and volume (or rather lack of volume) helps me to contain it with less effort and stress on my strands, as opposed to me doing it on dry hair. On my unstretched dry hair, I cannot achieve a smooth bun/ ponytail.
I probably also helps that I only a banana clip or puff cuff.