What do you look for in a pickleball paddle

We at Pickleball International love to put the right pickleball equipment in you hands to make your pickleball skills improve. We are looking at designing our very own paddle, and want to know what you look for in a paddle:

• Logo and/or colour?
• Material composition?
• Weight and/or paddle shape?
• Grip length, width?
• Technique and/or power? 
• Extra features?
• Durability?
• Edgeless or edge-guard?
• Cost?

We want to design a paddle that helps you. Whether at your weekly pickleball session at the rec center, or in that tournament setting. We want you to not only buy it with confidence, but know this will help your game. Send your comments to help us help you.

Pickleball Rules Refresher: Non-conforming paddles Apike/Hush

There has been a controversy in North American pickleball for the past 4 years, and it centers around 2 non conforming paddles called Apike & Hush. They were designed by a man from South Surrey, BC, but made overseas. Why have the paddles been shrouded in controversy, and what is so bad about them? It's all about the core of the paddle. These paddles are made with a foam core , and produce a disadvantage with a trampoline effect. The IFP rules states, 2.E.1.Material. The paddle may be made of any material judged safe and not prohibited in these rules. The paddle shall be made of relatively rigid, non-compressible material meeting the specifications of the “Paddle Material Specifications” document on the IFP website. it also states, 2.E.6.f. Flexible membranes or any compressible material that creates a trampoline effect. I like that there are now more stringent requirements for paddles. I have played with and against the Apike. It does hit the ball much harder and with more spin. I like that PB is a game of skill, soft shots, dinks, misdirects, etc. I do not want it to just become a bangers game. This is one of the reasons that we have an underhand serve and a non volley zone. Skill takes precedent over how hard you can hit the ball.

Pickleball Paddle Review: S-Type Composite Z5

S-Type sports creator, Steve Wong, a top ranked pickleball player, designed the new Composite Z5 with outdoors play in mind. The Composite Z5 WIDEBODY Paddle provides maximum power.  If you like a heavy Composite paddle that plays like a tennis racquet then look no further.  The Z5 enables the toughest competitors to hit hard and still be consistent.  The wide body design gives S-Type customers a new high performance shape.  Stand out on the court with the NEW Z5 WIDEBODY!! 

• Made from High Performance composite fiberglass materials 
• New WIDEBODY dimensions
• Extra wide hitting surface with the new WIDEBODY design
• Even larger than our oversize paddles
• Designed for outdoor play in mind, but adored by indoor pickleballers too!
• Endorsed and Designed by a Top Player, Steve Wong!
• Exciting colors with a fresh cool logo.
• Plays like a tennis racquet. 
• This paddle has good pop when the ball strikes the wider surface
   
  This paddle weighs in at approx. 8.8 oz. according to my digital scale. You can feel the power in the paddle surging to hit the ball. There are some paddles that are touted as heavyweights, and they are just that...heavy. But the composite Z5 widebody feels comfortable in hand, with it's gel contour gamma grip. The face is a honeycomb design with a huge Z5 in bold colours. There is a departure from S-Types signature pickleball snake (my favourite pickleball logo) but that same logo i like has scared off many female players I'm sure. The paddle is by no means overtly wide, maybe an extra inch or 2 than any regular paddle. I have played with this paddle, and it has a very full sound and power when struck. Composite Z5 Widebody's sell for $60.

Pickleball Strategy: Bop-it Bounce!

So for Christmas I got a neat gift from my eldest son to help keep my eye on my paddle and ball. The game is from Hasbro, who make an endless supply of board games every year. It's called "Bop-it Bounce." If you have ever tried the other bop-it games where you have to twist, pill, hit, and speak to it, this is an entirely different breed. This game involves a red hard foam ball (larger than a golf ball, and slightly smaller than a pickleball) and a trampoline fabric desert plate with a handle. I know sounds weird, but it's a really neat game. There are 6 different electronic games that all involve bouncing & keeping the red ball on the soft plate. Some of the games involves hitting the ball as many times in 30 seconds, or bouncing the ball as high as you can whilst keeping it in control, or where you have to hit the ball: low, medium, high continuously. I've taken some time to head outside, or in a large space indoors where I can focus on hitting the ball. In pickleball when I'm playing, there is alawys distractions: people yelling, balls flying past your head, bright lights, people walking in and out of your periphery; so we need to learn focus...like hitting a little red ball on a tiny plate. I know I can get distracted through other sources at pickleball, or my own playing mood can also affect my focus. But those are the times you take that break, take a breath, stretch, grab a drink of water, tie your shoes again. It gives you that edge to refocus not on hitting the red ball on the pklate thingy, but watching & hitting the"Holey" pickleball off you paddle.

Pickleball Rules Refresher: Hand ball?

The other night my partner was struck in such a manner accidently that it was unsure where it struck him, and discussion ensued about whether that was legal hit or not. My partner declared that it struck the back of his paddle hand as he was returning a backhand. What does the pickleball rules say?
7.F.The ball in play strikes a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying. There is one exception to this rule: if the ball strikes the player’s paddle hand below the wrist, the ball is still in play. If the ball strikes a player standing out of bounds before a fault has occurred, that player loses the rally. In doubles, if the serve strikes the receiver’s partner, it is a point for the serving team, providing it is not a let serve or a fault serve. This rule also includes balls that appear to be hit out of bounds: during play, if you catch the ball or try to stop it from heading out of bounds, you lose the rally.
IFP Comment: If the player is in the process of changing hands with both hands on the paddle, or is attempting a two-handed stroke and either hand is hit below the wrist, then the ball is considered in play.

Pickleball Rules Refresher: The double hit carry

Last week at Pickleball there was discussion about whether a carry in returning the ball is legal?
A Carry you say?
Carry – Hitting the ball in such a way that it does not bounce away from the paddle but tends to be carried along on the face of the paddle during its forward motion.. We could also say this is a double hit. We know that striking the ball twice is illegal, so would a carry be considered illegal?
The IPF (International Pickleball Federation) states:
12.A. Carry and Double Hits. Balls can unintentionally be hit twice or “carried”, but this must be during a continuous, single-direction stroke. If the stroke is not continuous, not single-direction, or if it is a definite second push, the hit is illegal.

Paddle Review: Pickleball Inc. "Predator"

The PREDATOR has been widely used in the Florida pickleball community for many years and has only recently become available in significant quantities to be offered nationally.
The PREDATOR has a hybrid carbon-fiber material knowing it resists wear then put over the composite core with the thickest density on the market to give the PREDATOR a much longer life.
Features

• Tapered  handle to make the center of the grip slightly smaller. This feature gives the player a unique hand cradle for superior paddle control.
•  Deluxe cushion/ribbed/vented gamma grip to reduce ball-on-paddle trauma. 
•  Double glued the edgeguard on every PREDATOR to reduce premature edgeguard departure.
• Tested many brands of premium industrial paints before finding one that gives us the exceptional anti-chipping qualities we were looking for. You're gonna love this paint!
• The PREDATOR weighs 8 to 8.5 ounces, is painted gray, crimson, and green with a black edgeguard and black screen print.
  
  The PREDATOR plays very nice: solid, powerful, and shorter grip with contours.
  It sells for $70 CDN.
  

Pickleball Strategy: Paddle position

Regardless of the stroke being used in pickleball, the position of the paddle in relationship to the ground and the net is crucial in determining where the ball is going to go. Assuming that you are hitting a straight shot and not putting spin on the ball, the ball will always come off of the face of the paddle at a right angle to the paddle face. When the head of the paddle is perpendicular to the ground, it is said to be a “square face” and the ball will come off of the paddle parallel to the ground. If the head of the paddle is angled down, the paddle is “closed” and the ball will travel downward from the paddle face to the ground. If the head of the paddle is angled up, the paddle is “open” and the ball will travel in an upward direction. Knowing this is important to the player who is attempting to correct his own errors. For example: if he is consistently hitting a ground stroke into the net, he needs to pay attention to the position of his paddle at the moment of contact with the ball. It’s highly likely that his paddle is in a “closed” position rather than “square”.

Pickleball Nationals 2010/2011

So for those of us not in the know, this week is very important to us pickleballers! I'm sure when you tell someone about what sport you play, you tend to get blank faces, or uproarious laughing. But as I said this week in Buckeye Arizona, November 7 - 14 is the annual Pickleball Nationals. It is the best of the best, the who's who in the pickleball world. At the tournament you will find all categories, and all ages represented (pre-teen, teen, under 30's right up to 80's, male and female.) Singles, mixed and gender doubles.

As you can see in the picture from last year the mens open doubles champions and bronze finishers are from Washington State. Besides the playing there is always releases of new paddles or protypes that have been approved for tournament play. Through my contacts I have personally heard of 3, and no doubt they will be offered to the public after the tournament ends. I will post the results next week, and keep you informed of any new paddles that come available.

Pickleball Paddle Review: Changing grips

 The gamma gel grip at left has firm foam backing with gel for extra shock absorption. It is perforated for maximum ventilation. It sells for $10 and will fit any paddle.

The Gamma Ultra cushion has a raised rib, with an aerated grip. The stitched rib and perforations increase gripping power and moisture absorption. It sells for $10, and will fit any paddle.

Pickleball Paddle care

 

Pickleball Paddle Care

You want your pickleball paddle to last as long as possible. Pickleball paddles are easy to maintain. Here are some tips to make your pickleball paddles last as long as possible.

Pickleball Paddles Care Tips

• Don’t leave it in extreme heat such as cold or hot especially in the car.
• Keep it from getting wet such as from the rain or snow.
• Don’t throw it, drag it, or bang it.
• Don’t scrape it on the ground when picking up the ball.
• Wipe it with a towel after every use.
• Avoid hitting the wall, or your partners paddle.
• Cover the paddle with an old t-shirt/towel, or buy a cover.
• Put a new grip when it is wearing off. Pickleball paddles get damaged when they slip out of someone’s hand.

With these tips your pickleball paddle will last longer and you will be able to enjoy the game of pickleball longer.

Pickleball strategy: paddle sweet spot

Have you ever had that sinking feeling when perfectly stroking the incoming ball, and in beautiful form, when lo, with a dull thud, the ball mysteriously drops dead on arrival ?!! Perhaps you loosened your grip on the paddle or slightly pulled back on impact--both used for the deadly Drop Shot---but perhaps the ball hit far from the “Sweet Spot” !
I had thought that this spot was for sure the center of the racket, but through experience I’ve come to the conclusion that this is not so, for I get the feeling of a more “solid” shot when I hit the ball at lower than the center line of the paddle!!! (I aim for 1/3 up from the face.) This works for the Dink as well and should also with any type of return. In addition, and maybe equally important---as you aim for this spot it forces you to concentrate more on the ball, watching it closely as it approaches the paddle. Concentrating on that ball will definitely improve you chances on getting it back over the net !

Pickleball Paddle Review: S-Type Composite & Graphite Slammer

The Composite Slammer (the orange one shown) and the Graphite Slammer are 2 widely popular paddles from S-Type sports. The paddles have a smaller face than regular paddles with a 8" X 9" hitting surface. One of the key features that people like about these paddles is the long handle, which allows some of us to choke up on the paddle allowing greater control. I have heard from some former tennis players that they in fact look for a paddle with a longer handle. The Graphite Slammer weighs in at 6.0 oz. and in was one of the lightest in the sport. The Composite Slammer is still a rather lightweight paddle weighing only 6.5 oz. They both come standard with a Gamma thin overgrip. The orange Composite Slammer shown has Gamma Gel grip, that was added extra for a customer that needed a thicker grip.

The Composite Slammer sells new for $50 or new factory 2nd sells for $45.
The Graphite Slammer sells new for $55 or factory 2nd sells for $50.

Pickleball Paddle Review: Spikes ZZ2 Sports paddle

I had the opportunity to play with the ZZT sports paddle by Spike. Spike Christensen is a high ranking pickleball player from Arizona that decided to start making his own paddles. This paddle the ZZT (Zero Zero Two) just in case you forgot how to start off the pickleball game, is the latest offering from Spike himself. Inside is a honeycomb aluminum core, with a vinyl graphic overlay, with some great eye catching colours that aren't overly bold, but visually stimulating. Playing with the paddle I noticed an average weight paddle (around 8oz.), even feeling lighter. The paddle comes with a longer cushioned handle, for those that need it. It has a soft feel to shots, and the vinyl overlay seems to give an extra spin or spin off the face. They sell for $60 and come in a wide assortment of colours, with clear edge guards.

Pickleball do alone practice skills

When I first arrive at any pickleball session, first thing I do is stretch my body for 5-10 minutes, then after that I take another 5-10 minutes before I play any matches to do some drills by myself. I always start by bouncing the ball on the paddle face and keep it bouncing 20-30 times. I will start with my forehand, then backhand, then alternate, then do a hard one I'm really working on now: forehand - backhand - side rim of paddle (repeat 20x.) Practice can also be done with paddle slicing: forehand, backhand, frontwards, backwards. Then I like to find a closed door, or a wall works good to, but i like a closed door because it gives me a small target that I must concentrate on hitting in succession. When hitting my door (wall) target I practice my groundstrokes and volleys, starting at 4 feet - 8 feet - 12/15 feet if space allows. These drills will help the player to be ready sooner, be actively involved in the movement of the ball, to watch the ball engage the paddle, and improve hand-eye coordination and control.

Do these skills work for your warm-up routines?

Pickleball Paddle Review: S-Types "Graphite Stryker" paddle

I want to describe my usual pickleball paddle, S-type's "Graphite Stryker. This has been my regular paddle since I graduated from my used champion paddle.The Graphite Stryker is light and very responsive on the court. The Stryker is about the same size as the champion, but with an agressive design on the face. I like that the paddle is very lightweight, which allows me to bring the paddle around faster. The graphite in my paddle gives just that extra "pop" when striking the ball. It is usually sold with a gamma cushioned grip, but I switched it up with a contour ribbed grip as I have smaller hands, and the ribbed grip helps for ease of hand control. I've played with this paddle for about 3 years, and would highly recommend it to anyone as a great all around paddle for the beginner that wants a light paddle through to the advanced player who's looking for more control and accuracy in their games. These paddles sell for $60, or another option is purchasing one of our brand new factory second paddle for $5-10 cheaper.

Who also plays with an S-type graphite Stryker? Why do you love playing with it?