view these products and more at paddlesandmore.com
behind the ball, but this may cause you shaking hands with it. With your normal
with paint, screen print or vinyl, which can
Paddle surfaces are often finished
to lose control over your soft game. relaxed grip, you should have a little
add a small amount of texture (for spin), Experiment and find what gives you a space between your fingertips and your
weight (for power) or hardness (for power). well-balanced game. thumb pad (about ¼" to ½"). If your
The USAPA has applied very stringent
Make sure your paddle has enough
fingertips almost touch or touch your
limits to the amount of texture that can power for you to easily get your serves thumb pad, your grip is too small. If
be on a paddle surface. To sum it up—if and returns deep in the court without there is a space larger than ½", then it’s
the surface face offers a spin advantage, having to swing too hard. If your balls probably too big.
it will probably not pass USAPA testing. are landing short too often, try a more
PADDLE WEIGHT
One of the most important and easy-
to-understand things that affect the play
of a paddle is the weight. Some argue
that their reflexes are slower with an 8-oz.
paddle versus a 7-oz. comparable model;
however, if you’re basing your dinking
game decisions on reflex play, you’ve
probably got this all wrong. Manufacturers
and virtually all touring pros agree that
the added weight allows for less effort to
hit stronger, more accurate shots. They
would also agree that heavier paddles
have larger sweet spots and are better for
blocking, driving and serving. Unless you
have a debilitating arm injury, side with a
heavier paddle.
FINDING YOUR PADDLE
So which paddle is best for you? The
paddle you play the best with—and feel
most confident with.
If you’re not sure what to look for, first
determine what type of player you are. Be
honest. It’s not who you want to be—it’s
who you really are. Type-A individuals may
lean toward more of an aggressive type of
playing paddle having some weight and
pop, while a “B” personality may want
a lighter, softer paddle for better touch.
Your personality does matter.
Since weight is so important, check
the weights of every paddle you demo.
You’ll probably see a trend. Lighter
paddles offer better control over your
dinking and soft game, but will make
it tougher to drive the ball hard when
needed. Heavier paddles offer more
power because of the extra mass
Too-large or small grip circumference
powerful paddle. If you are popping up can cause discomfort in the form of
your dinks a lot, try a model made more “tennis elbow” and hinder your play.
for control. This power versus control The length of the grip can also make a
equation is key, but also the one element difference. If you place your index finger
that’s different for everyone, so find what on the back of the paddle or like to slide
works best for you and your game. your hand up the grip for more control,
Next, make sure to demo at least
then try a paddle with a shorter grip
one graphite and one polymer paddle. length. If you like to hit a two-handed
You’ll feel a significant difference when backhand or if you have overly large
dinking and from the baseline. Graphite hands, a longer grip will work better
tends to offer more touch and feel, while for you.
composite gives a little more pop.
Next, it’s time to think about paddle
In summary, every paddle plays
differently and it’s your job to find
shape. Most paddles have a similar out which one works best for you.
conventional shape that’s usually about The technology has arrived and there
8" wide and 15.75" long. If you play a
lot of singles, you want to consider a
are many great paddle
manufacturers out there.
longer, narrower shape that will help you
Go to a demo
cover more of the court and reach more day at a major
volleys at the net. These longer paddles tournament or
provide more power, with a sweet spot ask your local pro
more toward the tip that former tennis
to arrange one.
players will love; however, a narrow
Your game will
paddle means a narrow sweet spot, improve and you’ll
which can make doubles play more enjoy pickleball at
challenging. Also, when it’s windy, a higher level.
it may be tricky for you to find the
center of the paddle.
Finally, you must consider
handle size and length. This is
often overlooked when purchasing
a paddle, but it’s probably one of the
most important pieces of the puzzle.
The handle is your only connection to
the paddle and control over the paddle
face, so having the right grip
is critical to controlling
your shots. Hold the
paddle like you are
PickleballMagazine SPECIAL
EDITION
❘
NOVEMBER 2019
9