In a companion article, “Paddle Technical Data“, we presented test and analysis results of several different paddles that will enable you to objectively compare the technical characteristics of several different paddles so that you can find your ideal paddle. What does this data mean? How can you assemble the data in a manner that allows you to differentiate among the different styles and brands of paddles?
This article explains the different paddle technical characteristics in the Paddle Technical Data article and how they affect paddle performance. In future articles we will use the technical data to objective compare and review the different paddles. If you want a particular paddle tested and reviewed, please send your requests via the Contact Us page and we will attempt to get the paddle for testing.
Design Characteristics
While some design characteristics, such as color and logos are purely aesthetic, other characteristics, such as shape, length, width, handle design, materials, etc. can affect technical characteristics, such as balance, swing weight, stiffness, etc. Because many of the design and technical characteristics are inter-related, it is impossible to make the widespread claims that many paddle manufacturers, bloggers, and videographers routinely make. For example, there are many claims that elongated paddles have more power, or that wide-body paddles have a larger sweet spot, or that carbon-faced paddles develop more spin, etc., etc., etc. In reality, a paddle’s design characteristics affect its technical characteristics, and depending on how you use the paddle will affect performance characteristics, such as power, control, stability, swing speed, spin, etc. While players should consider the design characteristics, they should also look beyond the marketing hype and examine the paddle’s technical characteristics, which are described below.
Static Weight
The paddle’s Static Weight is a fundamental characteristic that is provided by all paddle manufacturers. The average static weight of a paddle is about eight ounces. The USAPA does not regulate static weight, so paddles will typically fall in a range from 7.0 to 8.5 ounces. Players can further increase their paddle weight by adding weighted tapes or overgrips to their paddles. (We will discuss this topic in a future article.)
Should you select a paddle with a high or low static weight? A paddle’s swing speed is affected by the paddle swing weight and not the paddle static weight. However, unless the paddle manufacturer is careful in distributing the paddle weight, most paddles with high static weight will also have high swing weights (there are exceptions, of course).
The advantage of a heavier paddle is that the paddle can transfer more momentum to the ball, and will therefore have greater power than a lighter paddle. To differentiate this power from other forms of paddle power (such as the trampoline effect), we will term this power “inertial power”. The downside of a heavier paddle is that it requires more strength to hold and balance it in your hand. A heavier paddle can therefore cause more arm fatigue and other problems, such as “tennis elbow”. The added weight of the paddle can also result in a lower swing speed.
Players should therefore select a paddle that is as heavy as they can handle. If the paddle is too heavy, it might feel too slow and might be too cumbersome to maneuver. On the other hand, if a paddle feels too light, it might lack inertial power and might be too easily deflected by hard-hit balls.
Swing Radius
You can determine your paddle’s swing radius by first balancing the paddle across the width of the paddle face to determine its center of gravity (cg) location. The swing radius is the distance from the butt of the handle to the cg location, minus the distance from the butt of the handle to the pivot point (which we assume is about 2.0” above the handle butt).
The average paddle swing radius is about 7.3”, with the longest being almost 8.0” and the shortest being about 6.5”. The range between the shortest and longest is only about 1.5”; however, in our analysis we determined that small increases in swing radius can greatly affect paddle velocity and force (see “Paddle Swing Weight, Recoil Weight, and Swing Radius“). This is due to the fact that the paddle swing radius is acted upon by rotations of the wrist, elbow, shoulder, and torso. Paddles with a long swing radius will appear to have more power, whereas paddles with a short swing radius will appear to have more control. Of course, you can easily increase control by gripping the paddle higher up the handle towards the throat or you can increase power by gripping the paddle lower towards the butt of the handle.
Balance Weight
The paddle balance weight is a static weight characteristic that is determined by multiplying the paddle static weight by the paddle swing radius. It is essentially the torque that is applied to your wrist when holding the paddle. The average paddle balance weight is about 58.5 oz-in, with the lightest having a balance weight of 48 oz-in, and the heaviest having a balance weight of about 69 oz-in. Paddles with a low balance weight are called “head-light” and paddles with a high balance weight are called “head-heavy”. Once again, players should select a paddle that is comfortable in their hand that doesn’t feel too head-heavy or too head-light. Players can adjust the balance weight by gripping a head-light paddle further down the handle towards the butt, or gripping a head-heavy paddle further up the handle towards the throat.
Recoil Weight
We discussed recoil weight in our article, “Paddle Swing Weight, Recoil Weight, and Swing Radius“. The paddle recoil weight determines its rotational stability about the paddle lateral axis during contact with the ball. Paddles with a high recoil weight will feel more stable and accurate when hitting the ball hard, whereas paddles with a low recoil weight will be more prone to mis-hits when hitting hard ground strokes or if balls are approaching at high velocity. There is no advantage to selecting a paddle with a low recoil weight; however, since the recoil weight is tied heavily to the swing weight, it may be impossible to find a paddle that has a low swing weight together with a high recoil weight.
Swing Weight
We discussed the paddle swing weight extensively in several previous articles (see for example, “Paddle Weight vs Swing Weight”). The paddle swing weight is the primary determinant of the paddle swing speed and maneuverability.
Paddles with a high swing weight will often have a higher static, balance, and recoil weight. On one hand, they may feel slow and cumbersome, however, on the other hand, they may feel more stable and more powerful. Players who favor paddles with a high swing weight should select one that does not compromise swing speed.
Paddles with a low swing weight will feel fast and maneuverable, however, they may feel like they lack power and stability. Paddles with a low swing weight can benefit players who want to develop power through increased swing speed, or to improve their reaction time through increased maneuverability. The increased maneuverability can also improve control by allowing players to more precisely position and rotate their paddles for accurate shots.
Natural Frequency
As we described in our article, “Paddle Frequency and Power“, the paddle natural frequency is a function of the paddle effective stiffness and mass. The paddle effective stiffness was calculated based on measurements of the paddle throat and face stiffnesses using our three point bending apparatus. Although the paddle bending stiffness is an important characteristic, the ratio of the effective stiffness to the effective mass, expressed in terms of the paddle natural frequency, is a key characteristic that defines the paddle power.
Assuming that the ideal paddle/ball contact time is on the order of 4.00 to 4.25 milliseconds, the ideal natural frequency to which a paddle must be tuned is in the 118-125 Hz range. These paddles, which we categorize as “hybrid paddles”, will provide a good balance of power and control for the majority of pickleball players.
Paddles with natural frequencies lower than 118 Hz may exhibit more power, but may be difficult to control. These paddles, which we categorize as “power paddles”, might be suitable for experienced players with well-developed swing mechanics, and are capable of applying topspin to the ball to keep it inbounds, or experienced players with limited arm strength or low swing speed seeking greater ball velocity.
Paddles with natural frequencies greater than 125 Hz may be more consistent and repeatable, but they may lack power. These paddles, which we categorize as “control paddles”, might be suitable for players seeking more control and accuracy with their shots, and do not rely on power to make their points.
Core Stiffness
We discussed the mechanics behind the ball / paddle contact in our article “Paddle Spin Capability, Friction, & Stiffness“. When the paddle strikes the ball, the ball squashes and increases the paddle / ball contact surface area. The paddle face also indents, allowing the paddle to “cup” the ball. Paddles with a lower core stiffness will have greater face indentation, and will thereby have a greater cupping effect. The squashing of the ball together with the cupping of the paddle face increase the effective friction between the paddle and ball. If the paddle is swung correctly, the increased effective friction can allow you to impart spin to the ball.
Using the apparatus described in our article “Thermoformed Paddle Delamination Revisited“, we measured the core stiffness of each paddle in our “Paddle Technical Data” article. Paddles with a core stiffness in the 1700 – 2100 lb/in will have average spin capability. Paddles with a core stiffness less than 1700 lb/in will high spin capability, whereas those with a core stiffness greater than 2100 lb/in will have a low spin capability.
Future Articles
In future articles, we will develop a guide for selecting your ideal paddle using the information in the interpret the data in the “Paddle Technical Data” table. We will also use this information to perform reviews of selected paddles. If you want a particular paddle tested and reviewed, please send your requests via the Contact Us page and we will attempt to get the paddle for testing.
