because certification is only
required on new or previously
uninspected equipment.
“We will also certify on
similarity,” Anderson says. “For
example, if the manufacturer
is only changing the product
packaging and can give us the
construction specifications that
indicate nothing has changed,
we can work with them on a
certification by similarity basis.”
Anderson explains that
manufacturers actually like the
fact that their products are held
to such high standards. The
USAPA publishes its guidelines
“There’s a lot of product out there that’s not approved,”
and standards and isn’t looking to retrieve proprietary Anderson says. “It’s fine if you want to use it, but you can’t use it
information. “Manufacturers have the ability to do these tests in a sanctioned tournament environment.”
themselves, so when the official testing does happen, the pass
Justin Maloof, Executive Director of the USAPA, says that for
rate is higher than 90 percent. If the equipment passes the EEC now, compliance testing will focus on balls and paddles since
with the declaration that ‘test data will prevail,’ they love that other items necessary to play—nets and courts, for example—are
because they know exactly what’s going to be tested, what the specifically addressed in the rulebook.
pass and fail is. Really, they should never fail a test.”
“We always want to ensure compliance within the rules,
That’s not to say the testing isn’t stringent. Pickleball’s
so we’ve been doing paddle and ball testing since day one.
historic roots are deep, and the USAPA’s standards are high. In There are specifications listed in the rule book for nets,
a paddle, they’re looking for clear and consistent energy off the and tournament directors ensure they adhere to those
paddle or rebound, determined by a deflection test, spin control, specifications. There’s no immediate plans for testing nets,”
surface roughness and more. he says. “Pickleball is just as fun whether played indoors or
Once equipment has approval, referees and players in
“
outdoors and thus played on several different surface types like
sanctioned tournaments check to ensure competitors have the concrete, linoleum, wood and even carpeted surfaces. As long
proper equipment and no modifications have been made. as the ball bounces as stipulated in the rule book, the game is
being played in accordance with the rules.”
Pickleball’s historic roots
If players have any questions about what’s approved
and what’s not, there’s a full listing on the USAPA website at
are deep, and the USAPA’s equipment.usapa.org, as well as examples of what the “USAPA
standards are high. In a paddle, During his four years with the EEC, Anderson says he’s
Approved” logo looks like for reference.
they’re looking for clear and come to appreciate that there’s so much more to that “USAPA
consistent energy off the paddle field because all these products fit in the same box in terms of
or rebound, determined by a
Approved” logo than just passing tests. “It levels the playing
the rules. There’s no reason why an opponent should have an
advantage over another as far as equipment goes.”
deflection test, spin control,
surface roughness and more.”
PickleballMagazine SPECIAL
EDITION
❘
NOVEMBER 2019
41