[Spongy]

It could be many factors: the tobacco is too moist, you have a bad smoking pipe, your packing isn't the best yet, etc.

What tobacco is it? Is it moist? What form is it (flake, ribbon, coin, shag, rope)?
Some tobaccos are way too moist to smoke immediately after opening the tin/baggie/pouch. Try leaving it sit spread out on a paper plate for 2 hours prior to packing the bowl.

What kind of pipe is it?
Some pipes suck, not literally, but they just don't smoke very well mainly due to poor drilling.

How are you packing it?
Frank method is fine, but if the tobacco is too moist, it won't matter how you pack it. If you're using the 3-tier method (child, mother, father), then it takes some practice to get the right feel. I've never done the "air pocket" style.

Are you tamping the tobacco gently after your first too lights (charring light and re-light)?
Tamping is overlooked by newer smokers (and takes practice). How else can the tobacco under what is currently smoking start to burn if it never comes in contact with the hotter embers to keep the first going? Gently tamp the expanded (tobacco will expand when you light it and it heats up) tobacco back down into the chamber - don't press too hard or you extinguish the embers.