About Pickleball

 

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong using a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.  It is a game that is appropriate for players of all ages and skill levels.  Rules for pickleball are simple, making it a great introductory sport.  It can also be quite challenging, fast-paced, and competitive as players gain experience.

 

 

You'll find rules and gameplay here: https://www.playpickleball.com/

 

 

Your first paddle should have a classic pickleball paddle shape.  You can add specialty paddles once you have a great classic paddle in your bag.  The classic paddle is approximately 7 ¾ - 8 inches wide and 15 ½ - 15 ¾ inches long.  The AllStar and Vibe are classic shapes that are available on our website.

 

 

All paddles will have some sort of "sweet spot" in the center of the hitting surface, regardless of the dimensions, as does a tennis racquet, baseball bat, or table tennis paddle.  It's a matter of physics, nothing else.  The key is to hit the center of the paddle, which takes practice and coordination.  Our AllStar and Vibe have a large sweet spot.

 

Former tennis players or racquetball players often like a paddle with a longer handle like the Pro Custom or Rally Pro.  The longer handle enables a two-handed backhand and more room for quick hand switches.

 

Longer paddles handles, usually five inches or longer, provide more reach on ground strokes, added leverage on serves, and slightly more power overall.  Our Pro Custom and Rally Pro paddles have longer handles.