Joola is a German company that’s been around since 1950, and they’ve been making high-quality sports equipment for decades (starting with table tennis tables). They offer a range of pickleball paddles that are suitable for players of all skill levels.

Quality and Materials

One of the standout features of Joola pickleball paddles is their construction. The paddles are made from a composite material that’s designed to provide the perfect balance of power and control. This makes them great for players who want to hit hard and place their shots accurately.

Now if that sounds like a bunch of marketing gibberish, that’s because it is. But the thing that’s a little different about Joola is they have 70 years of experience manufacturing, researching, designing, and perfecting paddles (starting with tabble tennis). Also, they’re a German company, and they’re known for creating really high-quality products.

Joola paddles are built to last. They use high-quality materials and construction techniques to ensure that their paddles can withstand the rigors of regular play. This means you can expect your Joola paddle to hold up well over time, even if you use it frequently.

Grip

Another advantage of Joola paddles is their grip. The handle is textured to provide a secure and comfortable hold, even during long and intense matches. This is especially important if you tend to sweat a lot, as the grip will help prevent the paddle from slipping out of your hand.

Paddle Weight

Joola also offers a range of weight options for their paddles. This allows you to choose a paddle that’s right for your playing style and physical strength. If you’re a beginner, you may want to opt for a lighter paddle, as it will be easier to control. More advanced players may prefer a heavier paddle, as it will generate more power.

In addition to their standard paddles, Joola also offers a line of premium paddles that are designed for serious players. These paddles are made from higher-quality materials and feature advanced technologies that help improve performance. They may cost more, but they’re worth it if you’re looking to take your pickleball game to the next level.

Warranty

Joola paddles come with a manufacturer’s warranty, which covers any defects in material or workmanship. This means you can buy with confidence knowing that you’re protected if anything goes wrong with your paddle.

Pretty much every pickleball paddle brand offers a warranty, so this isn’t unique. However, some brands make it difficult or near-impossible to actually get your paddle replaced if there is an issue with it.

Also, some brands have much lower quality than Joola, meaning you’re more likely to get a paddle that just doesn’t “feel right” and has issues with small sweet spots or lack of bounce created by poor manufacturing.

Customer service

Joola is known for their excellent customer service. They have a team of knowledgeable and helpful staff who are happy to answer questions and assist with any issues you might have. This is especially important if you’re new to pickleball and need some guidance on which paddle to choose, or if you have any issues with the paddle and need to replace it.

Price

Joola paddles are generally competitively priced, especially considering their high quality. You can find paddles that range from around $50 for a basic model to over $200 for a premium paddle. This means you can find a Joola paddle that fits your budget, whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned pro.

Customizing a Joola Paddle

Some Joola paddles offer customization options, such as the ability to add your own name or logo. This is a nice touch if you want to personalize your paddle or use it to represent your team. It also makes for a great gift option!

Overall, Joola is a trusted brand that offers a wide range of pickleball paddles for players of all skill levels. Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced pro, there’s a Joola paddle that’s right for you. So if you’re in the market for a new pickleball paddle, be sure to give Joola a look.

In addition to practicing your game consistently, learning from the pros is a non-negotiable. Thankfully, many of these pros are willing to share their knowledge by creating very helpful videos to help you improve.

Best Doubles Pickleball Videos to Improve Your Game:

To help you improve your strategy for playing pickleball doubles, we have compiled a few videos for you: 

Doubles Pickleball Strategy 101: How to Play Smart Pickleball, Ten Tips

Joe Baker, co-author of the book How to Play Pickleball: The Complete Guide from A to Z gives his top ten tips, such as those on court positioning and shot selection, to help you play smart pickleball. 

Doubles Pickleball Strategy 103: Don’t Hit Out Balls, Six Easy Rules 

In this video, Joe Baker teaches you how to stop hitting out balls, an important skill for playing an effecive doubles game. 

Doubles Pickleball Strategy 104: How to Achieve Pinpoint Placement Accuracy 

This video is based on the book How to Play Pickleball: The Complete Guide from A to Z by Coach Mo and Joe Baker, and teaches you how to get the ball to go exactly where you want it to go, a priceless skill when playing doubles.

Doubles Pickleball Strategy & Creating Offense with the “Step Back” Dink (Advanced)

This video comes to us from PrimeTime Pickleball, and shows you an effective technique that pros use but may not be widely known. 

Doubles Pickleball Strategy: How to Avoid Unforced Errors and Getting Attacked When Dinking 

PrimeTime Pickleball brings us this video to show you how to make the right shot choice at the net, and helps you understand the importance of having smart pickleball strategy especially in the non volley zone. 

Doubles Pickleball Strategy 106: Return and Serve Like a Pro 

Joe Baker brings us up a notch in this video on how to serve and return shots in doubles pickleball exactly like how the pros do it. 

Advanced Doubles Pickleball – Helle Sparre Clinic – Pickleball Diary #22

This half-hour video by Coach David will teach you the basics of playing doubles pickleball all the way to playing your first tournament.

Doubles Pickleball Strategy 107: Six Steps to Improve Your Backhand Capability and Power 

This video by Joe Baker will help you put more power into your backhand, an important skill for mastering doubles pickleball.

Pickleball is a game that demands your utmost hand-eye coordination. Because it requires a high level of skill, it does not depend as much on the quality of your equipment. But, that’s not to say it won’t add an extra edge: in terms of pickleball paddles, the higher quality ones will definitely be several notches better than the $4 one you can pick up at Walmart. 

Best Pickleball Paddles You Can Choose From 

1. TOPP Reacher Graphite Blade 

• Length – 16″ (Blade)
• Handle Length – 4 3/4″
• Weight – 7.6oz – 8.2oz
• Surface: Graphite
• Core Material: Polypropylene
• Price: $104.99

This slightly higher-priced pickleball racquet boasts of being lightweight and having an elongated body. This makes it easier for you to make otherwise hard-to-hit shots. Its graphite build also means that the paddle is quiet but very responsive, which can give you a satisfying game. 

2. HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle 

• Length: 408 mm / 16 in
• Handle Length: 5″
• Weight: 8.0 to 8.3 oz
• Surface: Fiberglass
• Core Material: Polymer Honeycomb
• Price: $59.95

This paddle is lightweight, has a nice grip, and boasts of a lot of snap and shot accuracy. Players who use this attest to being able to “feel” what went wrong when a shot fails. They’ve also observed that they don’t need to swing too much with this paddle. 

However, because it’s not as expensive as other top-of-the-line paddles, some users have found that it can wear out fairly quickly. Then again, that may be understandable, because the price point is reasonable for a beginner paddle. 

3. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro

• Length: 15 7/8″
• Handle Length: 5 1/4″
• Weight: 7.6 – 8.0 oz
• Surface: Textured Graphite
• Core Material: Advanced High Grade Graphite Polymer Composite Honeycomb
• Price: $159.99

First off, this paddle is not for the faint-of-heart when it comes to spending. One of the most expensive pickleball paddles on the market, this boasts of an excellent build with its lightweight graphite body. 

It’s made even better by a hyper-responsive Propylene core with virtually no dead spots. That means you can hit a pickleball ball on any part of the paddle and be sure to have an acceptable result—provided you direct it where you want, of course! This paddle also comes with a perforated grip that makes it breathable but comfortable. 

Unfortunately, it tends to make a high-pitched sound upon impact, so you might want to think about whether you can stand what might eventually sound almost grating. Still, that’s a small price to pay for a great game, right? 

4. Onix Z5 Graphite Paddle 

• Length: 15 1/2”
• Handle Length: 5″
• Weight: 7.5 to 8.2 ounces
• Surface: Graphite
• Core Material: Nomex honeycomb
• Price: $159.99

This paddle is a great choice both by beginners just starting to play pickleball, as well as pros. One of the users’ favorite features for this paddle is its weight, being light enought to be easy to use but also weighty enough to deliver smashes. It also boasts of a wide hitting area, giving you greater control, even over spins, dinks, and smash shots.

Some users found it a bit loud. But, being priced under $100 makes it an affordable paddle to add to your collection. 

5. Paddletek Bantam TS-5 Pickleball Paddle

• Length: 15-1/2”
• Handle Length: 5″
• Weight: 7.0 to 7.5 ounces
• Surface: Fiberglass
• Core Material: Polymer Honeycomb
• Price: $99.99

This paddle comes with a good weight, shape, and control, letting you play with accuracy. Players attest to its being crisp and powerful in delivery. It boasts of a great grip, a generous sweet spot, and is also very responsive. 

However, some players have reported issues with the edge peeling off after a relatively short time. If this is no problem for you, then this is a good paddle to go for. 

6. Selkrik Vanguard Hybrid S2 Pickleball Paddle

• Length: 15 3/4”
• Handle Length: 4 3/4”
• Weight: 7.8 – 8.3 oz
• Surface: QuadCarbon (cross-weave carbon fiber)
• Core Material: X5 Polymer honeycomb
• Price: $199.99

This paddle features a broad face that you can maximize for touch, power, and pop. With its carbon fiber surface, unique edge-guard, and a Geo grip, you can play a more consistent game.

7. Engage Elite Pro Blade Pickleball Paddle

• Length: 17″
• Handle Length: 5″
• Weight Range (LITE): 7.5-7.8 ounces
• Weight Range (Standard): 7.9-8.3 ounces
• Surface: Fiberglass with Proprietary “chemical bond”
• Core Material: Polymer Honeycomb
• Price: $129.99

The good length of this paddle will let you reach otherwise difficult shots and create more head speed, resulting in greater power. It also boasts of a sensitive face that lets you hit your pickleballs with ease. It also lets you give your shots spin, and is best for more aggressive players.

8. Prince Quantum Pro Pickleball Paddle

• Length: 16-3/8 inches
• Handle Length: 6″
• Weight: 7.4-7.8 ounces
• Surface: Textured UV coated fiberglass
• Core: Progressive Core Technology
• Core Material: Polymer Honeycomb
• Price: $128.99

The Quantum Pro Pickleball Paddle boasts of a highly reactive core, and its length gives you more reach. The added momentum will also let you make powerful shots. The longer handle also lets you do double-handed backhands and have more extension when you reach across the court.

9. GAMMA Compass Graphite Pickleball Paddle

• Length: 16 5/8”
• Handle Length: 4 3/4″
• Weight: 7.9-8.4 ounces
• Surface: Textured Graphite
• Core Material: NeuCore Poly Core
• Price: $139.99

The Compass Graphite Paddle will let you have a longer and more versatile reach. The thicker core will also give you good power while feeling gentle upon impact. The textured graphite face also makes it easier for you to add spin to your shots.

10. Onix Evoke Premier Composite Paddle

• Length: 16″
• Handle Length: 5″
• Lightweight Range: 7.5-7.8 ounce
• Standard Weight Range: 7.8-8.2 ounce
• Heavyweight Range: 8.2-8.5 ounceSurface: DF Composite (fiberglass)
• Core Material: Polypropylene
• Price: $149.99

You can choose your Evoke Premier Composite Paddle in lightweight (7.5 – 7.8 oz), standard weight (7.8 – 8.2 oz), and heavyweight (8.2 – 8.5 oz). This choice of weights helps you choose between more speed or extra power. The face shape lets your reach longer while also helping you improve the power in your shots.

Choosing the Best Pickleball Paddles 

Consider the features that are most important to you. Do you have a preferred weight? What kind of grip or build are you most comfortable with? If you are a beginner, you might want to listen to recommendations from experts. But if you have been playing a while, listen to your body and how a paddle feels when you play. Also, weigh these features against the budget you have for your next racquet. 

In the end, the best pickkleball paddle is the one that you can play your best game in!

In order to increase your daily dose of essential vitamins and minerals, you have the option of finding a vitamin and mineral supplement, or opt for products like the Nested Natural Super Greens Powder. In this review, we will take a look at that product in detail. 

What Is Nested Naturals Super Greens? 

Nested Naturals was founded by Jeremy Sherk, a certified health nut, entrepreneur, speaker, and world traveler, back in 2013 with a mission to “empower people through nature to rise to their highest potential.” 

Super Greens is a 100% natural green drink made from numerous fruits and vegetables, in a ready-to-drink powder that you can use to fill any nutritional gaps you may have in your diet. It comes in Original and Chocolate flavors. 

Its formula contains over 40 green superfood ingredients, sourced from over 10 countries around the world. It also boasts 1,000mg spirulina and 300mg chlorella, which is a great source of antioxidants, protein, and fiber. 

Because the product contains herbs and algae that are native to international regions but may not be available in the US, the company opted to use these natural, whole-food components sourced abroad instead of using synthetically-produced ingredients made in the US. 

With its USDA Certified Organic seal, you can be sure that all the raw materials and their suppliers have also achieved their organic certification in compliance with US Agricultural Standards. 

Benefits of Nested Naturals Super Greens 

This all-natural supergreen drink has the following blends: 

Alkalizing Blend 

Alkalizing is believed to help prevent the damage that free radicals do on your body. To give you this benefit, Nested Naturals Super Greens includes ingredients like wheat grass, barley grass, alfalfa grass, spirulina, spinach, chlorella, broccoli, collard green, and parsley.

Fiber Blend

Fiber helps improve your digestion by promoting regular bowel movements, removing toxins, and supporting weight loss. To give you the fiber you need, Super Greens also contains powders from barley grass, rice bran, apple, and Jerusalem artcihoke.

Immunity Blend 

A healthy immune system is our first defense against diseases. Super Greens contains the following ingredients to boost your immune system: acai, acerola, beetroot, blueberry, carrot powder, echinacea, eleuthero, green tea, gingko leaf, luo han guo, milk thistle, and raspberry.  

Probiotic Blend 

Probiotics help improve the gastrointestinal tract, and Super Greens has an abundance of them, including lactobacillus gasseri, bifidobacterium longum, and bifidobacterium bifidum. 

Enzyme Blend 

Digestive enzymes also aid digestion. The Enzyme Blend of Super Greens contains the following enzymes: amylase, cellulase, lactase, lipase, and protease. 

To summarize the benefits of Nested Naturals Super Greens: 

• Improves energy levels 
• Helps you detoxify in a healthy way
• Strengthens immune system 
• Boosts brain function
• Improves overall digestive health 

Nested Naturals Super Greens Powder Review 

Of course, the best way to find out if a product does what it claims is to ask actual people who have tried it. 

Convenience

One of the greatest hindrances to eating healthy is the time it takes to prepare healthy food. The good thing about Super Greens is that all you need to do is scoop out the amount you need and stir it into your water, juice, or smoothie. Of course, the company recommends using a shaker bottle or blender for more thorough mixing, but it’s completely optional. This means that you can easily down a glass of super greens before heading off for your pickleball game.

Taste 

In terms of taste, the general feedback is that the product tastes good, without an overpowering flavor. The closest description is that it tastes like spinach, making it a great addition to your smoothies. Others like to add a little orange juice to the drink. 

If you intend to take it on its own though, the best description of its taste is that it’s a little “earthy,” similar to matcha or whole grain cereal minus the sugar. If you are not used to the taste of green tea, this may take some getting used to. Alternatively, you can always mix it in with your other drinks, such as smoothies and juices, or even to a bowl of oatmeal. 

Energy Boost 

Some customers who have been using Super Greens notice that, on days that they don’t take the drink, they tend to feel sluggish. When they take it again, they feel energized. Others have noted that the energy boost it offers reduces their need for caffeine, which is a definite plus. This makes it a good option for a pick-me-up right before a pickleball game, or even before your practice sessions.

Of course, because it’s found to boost energy, be careful about consuming it too close to your bedtime or you might find yourself too wide awake to fall asleep!  

Digestion Improvement 

The Super Greens powder is also found to help in digestion, thanks to its probiotics and digestive enzyme. One observation that customers made is that they no longer struggle with constipation, and they also feel less bloated. 

Possible Side Effects 

The good news is that Nested Naturals Super Greens does not contain any of the following well-known allergens: 

• no wheat
• no gluten
• no GMO
• no soy, dairy, egg
• no fish
• no nuts or tree nuts 
• no corn
• no yeast
• no shellfish 

But, if it’s your first time using greens or superfoods, take note of the following: 

• Gastrointestinal adjustments: Adding a fair amount of dietary fiber to your diet may initially cause an upset stomach. 
• Vitamin K and blood thinning medication: If you are taking blood thinners, consult your doctor, as this product contains vitamin K from leafy vegetables like spinach and kale.
• Temporary bloated feeling: Increasing your probiotics dramatically may also cause a temporary rise in bloating and gas. But this should subside over time. 

Adding Super Greens to Your Daily Diet 

We’ve found that the Nested Naturals Super Greens Powder is one of the most naturally-sourced products in the market. If you are looking to improve your nutritional intake, consider adding this to your daily smoothie, cereal, or fruit juice. 

However, remember that simply adding a super green powder to your daily diet is a good start, but you can do more by making a holistic change in your lifestyle by eating a healthy, balanced diet, exercising (including regular pickleball), getting enough rest, and learning to manage stress. 

Although a book clearly won’t give you as much value as private pickleball lessons with a professional coach, or even replace the importance of many hours of intentional practice, spending your time off the court on learning strategies and tips from a trusted author will give a boost to your training. 

To make things better, you can even opt for the audiobook version of some of these books, so you can actually learn things while multitasking. How’s that for convenience? 

Here are some of our top picks of the best pickleball books depending on your skill level: 

Best Beginner Pickleball Books

The best pickleball books for beginners are those that cover the fundamentals of the game, such as the rules, scoring, and some of the easiest tactics.

1. Pickleball Fundamentals by USA Pickleball Association and Mary Littlewood

The first book that the USA Pickleball Association co-wrote and endorses, this will help you learn the basics of pickleball so you can get on the court soonest. It will teach you the proper execution of the essential tactics and skills the sport requires. You will learn all the shots (serve and return, groundstroke, lob, dink, drop, and overhead smash) that will help you form a solid technique from the getgo. 

The book contains over 40 drills and actvities to help you learn and improve your performance. It also includes tactics for different scenarios, as well as strategies for singles and doubles. 

2. How to Play Pickleball: The Complete Guide from A to Z by Joe Baker and Coach Mo 

Joe Baker is a mechanical engineer by trade, but his pickleball videos have been hailed as some of the best around the world. In this collaboration with Coach Mo, known for training national tournament players, photographs, diagrams, and detailed explanations will surely be a great value add-on to your pickleball knowledge. 

Starting with basic rules, this book then works its way through to more advanced strategies, such as shot selection that players can use at competitions. 

3. The Pickleball Bible by Dr. Rick Lambson and Tim Finger 

This short book is a great way to learn about pickleball, as it gives you the basic guidelines you need to start. It starts with the rules of the game, and then goes right into fundamental skills you need, such as how to serve, lobs, ground shots, and others. 

But it’s not just a book for beginners. When you reach halfway into the book, it teaches you strategies that professional players use, and then includes a chapter called “Mental Game,” which drills your mind into figuring out how to respond to stressful situations in a game. 

4. The Art of Pickleball by Gale Leach 

Written by children’s adventure book author Gale Leach, this 216-page book explains the very basic aspects of pickleball, such as the gear you need to play it, all the way up to the strategies that professional players use. 

This is a great book for both beginners and advanced players, thanks to its conversational and engaging style. Another advantage is that the book also includes chapters that deal with the mental aspect of pickleball. 

Best Pickleball Mindset Books  

Some pickleball books focus on explaining the mental facet of playing pickleball: after all, part of the fun in sports like this is being able to outwit your opponent. Strengthening your self-confidence and being fully immersed in the game are also two nonnegotiables for playing competitively and entering—and even winning—pickleball tournaments. 

5. Mind Game by Neil Schulenburg 

Written by a psychotherapist and a passionate pickleball player, this book lets you develop the discipline you need for playing a great game of pickleball. It includes lessons on perception, and how to treat victories and even coping with defeat. 

The book includes chapters that delve into the psychology behind the game, such as the mental processing and key brain functions needed for the game. 

6. The Pickleball Mental Edge by Stacie Townsend

This book that compiles learnings from pros in pickleball will help you learn eight key mental learnings you need to improve your game. It uses short anecdotes to share its powerful message, and also making the learnings easy to remember. 

Best Pickleball Strategy Books 

Lastly, some pickleball books focus on the strategy, explaining in detail the actions you take on the pickleball field. This covers topics such as shot selection, the return of serve, whether to dink or not, and third shot strategy, among others. 

7. At the Line: The Winning Doubles Pickleball Strategy by Joe Baker 

Despite being a mechanical engineer by profession, author Joe Baker is well known around the world for his pickleball strategy videos. This book will teach you various strategies for singles and doubles games. 

Although a player of any skill level can learn from this book, it focuses more on strategies involving communication and teamwork between doubles. The great thing about this book is that it is highly interactive, with quizzes at the end of every chapter, making sure you fully understand what you’ve read. 

8. Smart Pickleball by Prem Carnot and Wendy Garrido 

Written by “The Pickleball Guru” Prem Carnot and Wendy Garrido, this book aimed at helping beginners and intermediate pickleball players features 166 pages of diagrams in full color showing different pickleball strategies and situations. Advanced players can also benefit from the book by retaking early steps if they skipped or forgot anything. 

The book also contains a full explanation of the 3rd shot drop, using a whole section to teach you how to use it effectively. 

Pickleball Books 

Increasing your knowledge of pickleball, such as principles and mind-setting, will go a long way to help you improve your game. But remember, nothing can replace the power of purposeful practice. Take all that you learn from these books and take time  to practice them on court, and you will be on your way to be a much better pickleball player for sure! 

Paddle Fit

The first thing you need to make absolutely certain of is that you’re going to be able to use the paddle well.

That means the grip should fit your hands, the handle is the right size for your needs, it’s not too heavy or too light, and the face of the paddle is a size and type that works for you.

Grip Size

If the grip circumference is too big or small for your hands, it will force you to grip the paddle uncomfortably, making you much more likely to develop an injury like tennis elbow, so it’s important you pick a paddle with the right grip size or modify the grip on your paddle to better fit your hand.

Regardless of which paddle you have now or plan to buy, you might want to consider customizing your paddle grip with an over-grip tape so you can wrap your paddle handle to a better size for you.

Handle Length

The length of paddle handles range from 4″ to 6.25″ which is a huge difference. If you plan to use a two-handed backhand, you will most likely appreciate a much longer handle length so that you can more comfortable fit both hands on the grip.

If you don’t use a two-handed backhand and don’t plan to, simply pick a handle length that’s comfortable for you, or use other factors to decide which paddle to buy.

Paddle Weight

The weight of a paddle is a big deal because it will affect how much power you’ll get with each shot and how your paddle feels when you’re swinging it.

However, because you can simply buy lead tape and add as much as you need to any paddle to increase the weight significantly, the actual weight of the paddle you buy is not very important because it’s so easy to add more weight. In fact, we highly recommend you select lighter-weight paddles so you can try them out and then add as much tape as you need to find the perfect weight for you.

Performance

Once you’ve found some paddles that fit your body, it’s time to analyze their performance to see if it fits your play style and the type of feel you’re looking for when you play.

That means you need to understand the control, power, paddle face texture, and sweet spot or your paddles.

Control

Control is by far the most important factor for every Pickleball player, except maybe for a handful of pros. That’s because having great control of your shots so that you can place them in the right spot will more consistently help you win more points than hitting more powerful shots. “Placement over power” as they say.

Some powers have significantly more control or “touch” than other paddles, and unless you have a very good reason, we highly suggest you select paddles that give your more control instead of ones that give you more power.

Most pro players will play with paddles they feel give them more control in doubles. For singles, some pros will select paddles that give them more power so that they can hit better passing shots.

Power

Hitting powerful shots is a lot of fun and it’s an important part of the game at higher levels. Some paddles do produce significantly more power than others, so you should select a paddle that gives you good power. However, you should not simply look to maximize power while sacrificing control.

Sweet Spots

Every paddle has a different area where the sweet spots are and are not. The sweet spot is a spot on a paddle where when you hit the ball it bounces with full power. If you hit a ball with the center of your paddle, it will feel good and fly through the air with good power and accuracy. If you hit a ball close to the edge of your paddle, that might not be a sweet spot and you may lose power and consistency of your shots.

Sweet spots are notoriously hard to measure, so don’t take too much stock in what you read online about the sweet spots of one paddle or another. Try them out for yourself to see which ones feel better.

Price

Prices for pickleball paddles range from the cheapest for less than lunch to the most expensive at $160 or more.

If you’re shopping based on price, we highly recommend picking paddles that are affordable and come with some kind of performance guarantee. Buying a $40 paddle that wears out in a few months might end up costing you more than buying a much more expensive paddle that lasts longer.

Guarantees and Warranties

Some paddle companies like Paddletek and Engage provide warranties of up to a year and have very generous return and replacement policies, while some companies provide no warranties, guarantees, or replacements. We recommend making sure there’s a warranty for any paddle you buy, especially if you’re spending buying a more expensive paddle.

Composite Pickleball Paddles

Graphite Pickleball Paddles

Wood Pickleball Paddles

Buyer beware! Buying a cheap paddle could end up costing you more money down the road because you’ll have to replace it constantly. It can also mess up your game when your paddle isn’t able to hit consistent shots.

If you’re serious about Pickleball and want to get a good paddle, here are the best brands we recommend shopping from.

Best Pickleball Paddle Brands

Paddletek

Paddletek makes several popular paddles.

Best Singles Paddle: Bantasm TS-5 Pro

Best Doubles Paddle: Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro

Best Paddle for Power: Bantam EX-L Pro

Engage

Best Singles Paddle:

Best Doubles Paddle:

Best Paddle for Power:

Selkirk

Best Singles Paddle:

Best Doubles Paddle:

Best Paddle for Power:

Onix

Prolite

Prince

Prokennex

1. Flat Drop Shot

A flat drop shot is the easiest drop shot to execute because it requires the least motion of your paddle, thus creating less room for error.

To hit a flat drop shot, you should:

• Set your front foot first
• Bend your knees so that you can push up with your legs creating a higher arc of your shot
• Transfer your weight from your back foot to your front foot by pushing up and forward with your legs and hips
• Use a 1-3 out of 10 (light) grip pressure to get a soft touch on the ball
• Fully extend your arm as you strike the ball
• Keep your swing path in a slightly up and forward motion with no sideways motion or rotation so that you do not add spin to the ball
• Contact the ball with an open paddle face (with your paddle face pointing up to the sky but still slightly forward)
• Strike the ball out in front of your body
• Aim for the ball to land in the opponent’s non-volley zone
• Hit the ball with a good amount of arc on it so that it reaches its apex in the air on your side of the net and begins dropping before crossing the net

2. Slice Drop Shot (Backspin)

A slice drop shot will have lots of backspin on it, forcing you to hit the ball with much less arc than a flat drop shot. The backspin will often cause the ball to skip once it hits the ground, often creating a more difficult shot for your opponents to return because it will not bounce as high as a flat drop shot in most cases.

To hit a slice drop shot, follow all the same steps for a flat drop shot, with these modifications:

• Use your triceps to push quickly as if you were chopping wood right before contacting the ball
• Change your swing path so that it is slightly more forward and less up compared to a flat drop shot

3. Topspin Drop Shot

The topspin drop shot is the rarest type of drop shot because it requires the most amount of paddle movement and thus has the highest risk of error

To hit a topspin drop shot, follow all the same steps for a flat drop shot, with these modifications:

• Make your swing path mostly upward with little to no forward movement of your paddle
• Bend your knees even more and use your legs to create a very strong upward thrusting movement
• Use your biceps to curl your arm upward forcefully and quickly as you lift with your legs to create a quick vertical swing of your paddle
• Use a closed or nearly closed paddle face (with your paddle face pointing directly towards the net or slightly above the net)
• Your follow-through on your swing should end around the height of your shoulder or head

Because the topspin drop shot is much harder to execute, you should only attempt it in situations where you are able to firmly set both feet. It’s not an ideal drop shot to hit on the run unless you have practiced it extensively.

Here’s what you need to focus on to improve your game whether you’re brand new or playing at 5.0.

1. Good Pickleball Footwork

Footwork is the #1 most important part of hitting ANY shot in Pickleball (or tennis, racquetball, ping pong, paddle, or any other sport for that matter).

To understand why footwork is so important, imagine a ball that’s bouncing 6 feet to your right. Can you hit it without moving your feet? Of course not!

But Footwork isn’t just about getting your body to the ball, it’s about getting your body set in the right place so that you can execute your ideal swing path to hit the ball exactly where you want it to go.

How will you know when you have good footwork?

You’ll know you have good footwork on a shot when you are:

• Balanced before, during, and after the shot
• Your swing feels natural and relaxed
• After the shot, you’re able to easily split step and get back to a good position on the court so that you’re ready for the next shot

2. Balance

You should be balanced before, during, and after every shot (except in extreme circumstances). If you lose balance at any point during drills, that is an area that you need to work on.

To maintain good balance, make sure that you:

• Have a wide base for your feet. If your feet are too close together, you will not be able to balance well. That’s why all pro players have a very wide base with bent knees on almost every shot.
• Know which foot your weight is on primarily before, during, and after the shot. In general, your weight should always be on your rear foot before the shot and you should move your weight to your front foot as you swing so that you generate forward momentum and power with your shot.
• Use your empty hand to create balance (your empty hand should be up and follow a similar swing path as the hand that holds the paddle to create balance).

3. Hip Thrust

Every good shot in Pickleball requires consistent power, even if it’s a very gentle drop shot. That power should always start with your hips and core activating because these are your biggest muscles that will create the most consistency for touch shots and the most power for drives or overheads.

Even for a baby dink shot, you should always generate the power from your hips and legs and use a soft grip to create the touch on the shot.

4. Hip and Shoulder Rotation

Every shot in Pickleball should be hit with hip and shoulder rotation. Sometimes there will be only a few inches of rotation and swing (like a dink or block volley), while other shots will require a lot of rotation (such as a rolling cross-court forehand volley).

In order to use effective hip and shoulder rotation on each shot, you must keep your body as relaxed as possible. Each shot should feel smooth.

Make sure that you do not over-rotate your hips and shoulders. Many beginners have far too MUCH swing in their shots caused by way too much rotation of their hips and shoulders, and that will lead to a less consistent shot. Even more importantly, that will lead to you not being ready for the next shot, causing you to lose the point.

Once you strike the ball, you should tighten up your swing and get back to a neutral (ready) position as soon as possible so you can hit the next shot.

5. Proper Arm Movement

When you generate your power with your hips and legs and you properly rotate your hips and shoulders, your arms should be doing little to no work at all for every shot. Your arms should be relaxed.

You should not be using your arms to swing or direct the ball or to generate power on 99% of shots.

You should strike the ball out in front of your body as much as possible. That means your arm should always be FULLY extended as you hit the ball for every shot, whether you’re dinking, driving, or hitting a volley.

Focus on your elbow. Is it fully extended for every volley shot you hit? If not, you’re hitting the ball too late and you’re going to hit bad volleys.

6. Keep your Wrist Firm

Your wrist should be firm and locked for almost every shot. Do not use your wrist to generator power or spin unless you’re hitting a ball that requires an enormous amount of topspin (like a heavy topspin lob or a topspin flick attack).

If your wrist is not firm and locked, you will lose power and consistency for all of your dinks, drop shots, drives, and volleys.

7. Use the Correct Grip Pressure

Grip pressure is how hard you squeeze the grip of your paddle. On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being almost no pressure and 10 being squeezing as hard as you possibly can, this is what your grip pressure should be:

• Dinks: 1-2
• Drop shots: 2-3
• Drop volleys: 2-4
• Flick attack volleys: 3-4
• Hard volleys: 8-10
• Hard serves: 8-10
• Hard drives: 8-10

You’ll notice that soft touch shots require a very soft grip pressure while hard, deep shots require a lot of grip pressure.

That’s because the less you grip the paddle, the more touch and finesse and spin you’ll be able to transfer to the ball, while the harder you grip the paddle the more power and depth you’ll be able to transfer to the ball.

8. Always Look at the Ball

You should always keep your eyes on the ball before and during your swing and as you hit the ball.

Use your peripheral vision to see where your opponents are and where to aim your shot, but always keep your eyes locked in on the ball for every shot!

Here’s a comprehensive list of Pickleball terms that’ll help you understand the game better.

Pickleball Terms

Ace: A serve that is not returned by the opposing team.

Around the Post (ATP): A shot that his hit around the net post instead of over the net, made possible because the opposing team hit a cross-court shot with a steep angle.

Backhand: A shot made on your non-dominant side (the back of your hand will be turned toward the net when you hit the ball).

Block: A volley shot with little or no swing intended simply to defend against a fast shot from your opponent.

Body Shot: A shot hit directly at high speed at a player with the intention of hitting them in order to win the point. NEVER hit a body shot at a beginner because you could injure them if they don’t know how to defend themselves. NEVER aim a body shot at someone’s head, neck, or face. The ideal spot to aim a body shot is at a player’s dominant shoulder. If the opponent dodges the body shot, it will almost certainly land out of bounds, so it is a high-risk shot and best executed when a player’s feet are not set so they cannot quickly move out of the way.

Cross-Court: The side of the court diagonally opposite your side of the court. When serving, you must hit the ball cross-court to your opponent.

Dead Ball: A dead ball is a ball that’s no longer in play because it was called out or a fault was called. Note: “Dead ball” could also be used informally for a ball that is broken, misshapen, or otherwise unusable for play.

Dink: A dink shot is a soft shot that bounces low and often lands inside or near the non-volley zone. The purpose of a dink is to hit an “unattackable” shot so that your opponents can’t hit down on the ball for an easy winning shot.

Double-Bounce Rule: This rule states that when the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce once before hitting the ball, and the serving team must let it bounce once before hitting the ball. Thus, you can only hit a volley in Pickleball starting on the fourth shot of each point (The first shot is the serve, and the second and third shots must follow the double-bounce rule).

Double Bounce: When the ball bounces twice on one side of the court. A double bounce is always a fault. 

Double Hit: When the ball hits a player’s paddle (or hand holding the paddle) twice before going over the net. Double hits are legal if it happens naturally as part of one continuous motion. Double hits are not legal if it hits part of your paddle and then you swing again to hit it a second time.

Drive: A fast-paced groundstroke shot, ideally hit just over the net with topspin to make sure it lands inside the baseline. Often used for third-shots (but not as often as drop shots among pro players).

Drop Shot: A shot that is hit softly over the net and often into the non-volley zone. Ideal drop shots are unattackable because they bounce very low.

Drop volley: A volley shot that is hit soft and short, ideally with backspin and into the non-volley zone.

Dura: A Dura Fast 40 brand of Pickleball. It used to be the most commonly used pall in tournaments, but now the Franklin X-40 is.

Ernie: A volley where a player either jumps over the non-volley zone or runs around or through it (and establishes their feet outside the non-volley zone) in order to hit the ball as close to the net as possible. It is illegal to hit an Ernie if you cross the plane of the net with any part of your body or paddle before striking the ball (it’s totally okay to cross the plane of the net after striking the ball on your side of the net).

Fault: Any action that stops play because of a rule violation. If the receiving team faults, the serving team gets a point. If the serving team faults, there will be a loss of serve or a side out.

Flick: A flick is a shot where you flick your wrist up while lifting up with your legs to create a heavy topspin shot. Players often aim to disguise their flicks as dinks to create a surprise attack.

Forehand: A shot made with your palm facing forward on the dominant side of your body.

Franklin: A Franklin X-40 brand Pickleball. The most commonly used ball for Pickleball tournaments.

Groundstroke: A shot made after the ball bounces on your side of the court. In a sense, it is the opposite of a volley where a ball is hit before it bounces on your side of the court. Often, when a player uses the term groundstroke they’re referring to a deep ball hit after it bounces deep into the other side of the court.

Half Volley: A groundstroke where the ball is hit immediately after it bounces from the court before the ball rises to its apex. Because half volleys are hit immediately after the bounce, they can often catch your opponents off-guard.

Inside Out Shot (or “IO”): A shot hit in the opposite direction of your swing path by turning your wrist away from your swing path. Inside Out shots can often surprise your opponents because the ball will go in a different direction than your swing would indicate.

Let: A serve that hits the net and then lands in the service court. Let serves are replayed indefinitely until a fault or legal serve is hit.

Lob: A high shot often hit deep into the court with the intention of hitting over the opponent’s head so they cannot hit an overhead and must run into the back of the court in order to return it.

Loss of Serve: When the serving team gets a fault during the first server’s point. After a loss of serve, the second server on the serving team will serve next.

Nasty Nelson: When the server hits the returner’s partner intentionally in order to win the point. Although it is a legal way to win a point, these shots are highly frowned upon and can cause serious injuries, so you should be extremely cautious attempting this shot. NEVER hit a Nasty Nelson against any beginner, anyone with an injury, or any person you do not have a very close relationship with.

Net Spin: Net spin is a term for the additional spin or change of spin that occurs when a ball hits the net and then hits the ground. Any ball that hits the net will have its spin changed, sometimes causing balls to bounce unpredictably once they strike the ground.

Overhead: A shot that is hit with the paddle over your head. You can hit a forehand or backhand overhead, although forehands are almost always superior given the awkwardness of hitting backhand overhead.

Placement: A term for the trajectory of your ball and where it lands on the court. A common saying is that “Placement is more important than power” because you can hit a soft ball placed somewhere on the court where your opponent can’t reach it or can’t hit a good shot, allowing you to win far more points than simply hitting a ball with lots of power and poor placement. Generally speaking, the best placement for most shots is at your opponent’s feet or slightly behind their feet on their backhand side.

Rally: All the shots made during a point constitute a rally. Players will often say “Great ralley!” after a fun or exceptional point.

Roller / Rolling Shot: A shot that is hit with a lot of topspin by “rolling” the paddle over the pall in an arcing motion.

Side Out:  When a team loses its service and the other team gets to serve next.

Skip: Balls hit with lots of spin will skip, meaning they will bounce much lower and sometimes in a certain direction in a way they would not without spin. Balls also skip extra hard on many courts when they land on court lines because of extra sand used in the lines which causes more friction, thus creating an amplified effect from the spin of the ball. If you see a ball skip extra hard near a line, chances are it hit the line, which is why when a ball skips near the outer lines of the court, players should almost always call the ball in.

Slice: Any shot hit with heavy backspin. Most professional players hit serve returns with a slice on their forehand and backhand side.

Split Step: A technique used by all top players in tennis and Pickleball where you jump slightly as the opponent strikes the ball and use that stored momentum from the landing in order to move more quickly towards the ball to set up for your shot.

Tutor: Short for Pickleball Tutor ball machine, a commonly used ball machine for practice.

Tweener (Between the Legs): A shot where you hit the ball behind your body and through your legs.

Volley: Any shot hit in the air before the ball gets a chance to bounce on your side of the court. Volleys are illegal if your feet are inside the non-volley zone or if they are hit on the 2nd or 3rd shot of a point (Because of the double-bounce rule).

Pickleball Court Terms

All of the terms below are related to the Pickleball court.

Baseline: The back line of the court that runs parallel to the net. Your feet cannot touch or cross the baseline until after you hit your serve (it’s okay for your momentum to take you across the baseline after you hit the serve). Any shot that lands beyond the opponent’s baseline is out-of-bounds.

Centerline: The centerline splits each side of the court into the right and left side as it runs from the non-volley zone to the baseline.

Sideline: The sideline runs perpendicular to the net on either side of the court. Any shot that lands beyond the opponent’s sideline is out-of-bounds.

Transition Area: The area of court in front of the baseline but behind the non-volley zone.

No Mans Land: A nickname for the Transition area.

Non-Volley Zone: The area within 7 feet on both sides of the net where volleying is not allowed if your feet are inside the zone or touching its boundary lines.

Kitchen: A nickname for the non-volley zone. We highly recommend you don’t use this term because it is confusing to players whereas “non-volley zone” is self-explanatory once you know what a volley is.

Service Courts: The areas on the left and right side of the centerline, bounded by the non-volley zone line, the baseline, and the sideline.