If you are going to opt for Pickleball as a career or are planning to take part in pickleball tournaments, it is essential to follow all the rules and legal guidelines of the game. One of the most important things you should know about is the illegal pickleball paddles. The pickleball paddles that the USA Pickleball Association does not approve are illegal, and they will be declared illegitimate to be used in any tournaments sectioned under USAPA(USA Pickleball).
However, you can use any pickleball paddles in recreational games and tournaments not sectioned under USAPA. If you are serious about the game, here is all you need to know about the illegal pickleball paddles and the USAPA guidelines on the pickleball paddles.
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What Makes A Pickleball Paddle Illegal?
Pickleball paddles can be distinguished by surface area, build quality, length, roughness, and width. All these futures should comply with the particular standards and guidelines provided by USAPA. If the features of the pickleball paddle are not in line with the guidelines provided by USAPA, you cannot use this paddle in national tournaments.
Here are some of the regulations provided by USAPA on the different features of pickleball paddles.
Surface:
The surface of the pickleball paddle is one of the most important features that should comply with the regulations of USAPA. The surface of the pickleball paddle cannot be shiny. If any member of the judgment committee finds the surface shiny, the pickleball paddle is stated as illegal since the shiny surfaces can obstruct the opponent’s view with reflection.
Secondly, a pickleball surface needs to be flat. Any holes, cracks, sections, or delamination on the surface make the pickleball paddle illegal. Additionally, the pickleball paddles cannot be painted. Anti-skid pint, rubber, and sand enhance the paddle’s grip and spin, but it is illegal, according to USAPA. Also, you cannot add stickers on the paddle except the grip edge tape.
Weight and Size:
The pickleball paddles are measured end to end from the edge guard to the butt cap. According to USAPA, the maximum length of the pickle paddle is 17 inches. Secondly, the sum of length and width should not exceed 14 inches. There is no restriction on weight. Players can choose a paddle with any weight Depending on your skill and ability to handle the paddles.
Materials:
Paddles can be made from wood, graphite, foam, or plastic. However, it is necessary to pass every pickleball paddle to pass deflection tests. The deflection tests ensure that the pickleball is free of the trampoline effect and doesn’t bounce back the ball.
According to statistics provided by USAPA, pickleball paddles with a foam core and one-piece construction cannot pass the deflection tests. So, it is evident that paddles with a foam core or one-piece construction are illegal and cannot be used in official USAPA tournaments. The two best options recommended by USAPA are Honeycomb Polymer and Honeycomb Aramid.
Honeycomb Aramid paddles are expensive and feature the highest stiffness and reliability. Pickleball paddles with honeycomb polymer core are lightweight, high-impact resistant, long-lasting, and competitively priced, making them equally famous among recreational and pro players.
Customization:
You cannot make custom alterations to the pickleball paddle on every part. The custom alteration should not be within 0.5 inches of the grip and 1 inch of the outer edge. No stickers or sublimation printing is allowed. Only handwritten or hand-drawn marks are legal for pickleball paddles.
Is My Pickleball Paddle Approved By USAPA?
USAPA has many strict guidelines, and even the products of many reliable brands fail to pass certain tests. Therefore, you must ensure that the USA Pickleball Association approves the paddle you buy. Carefully read the product description to see if the USAPA approves the paddle you will buy.
The reliable brands have a product model number, which you can use to check if this paddle is legal or not. Certain websites have a list of legal pickleball paddles. Enter the model number to check the product status you are interested in.
List of USAPA Approved Paddles
10 Best USAPA Pickleball Paddles
IMAGE | PRODUCT | RATING | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
PREMIUM + GREAT SPIN & TORSIONAL STABILITY
|
PROKENNEX Ovation Flight Pickleball Paddle |
9.9
|
Check on Amazon |
EDITOR’S CHOICE + MORE POWER & CONTROL
|
HEAD Radical Pro Pickleball Paddle |
9.6
|
Check on Amazon |
GREAT BALANCE OF SPEED & POWER
|
ONIX Graphite Z5 Graphite Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle |
9.3
|
Check on Amazon |
AMAZON’S CHOICE
|
Selkirk Amped Pickleball Paddle |
9.1
|
Check on Amazon |
UNMATCHED TOUCH, CONTROL & FORGIVENESS
|
Niupipo Pickleball Paddle |
8.9
|
Check on Amazon |
BUDGET PICK + PERFECT FOR SMALL HANDS
|
Selkirk Sport SLK Latitude Pickleball Paddle |
8.8
|
Check on Amazon |
PERFECT FOR ALL AGES
|
XS XSPAK Graphite Pickleball Paddle |
8.7
|
Check on Amazon |
GOOD FOR BEGINNERS TO INTERMEDIATE PLAYERS
|
Niupipo Pickleball Paddle-Graphite Pickleball Racket |
8.7
|
Check on Amazon |
VALUE FOR MONEY
|
Central Rally Tyro 2 Pickleball Paddle |
8.5
|
Check on Amazon |
AVERAGE CHOICE
|
NewFit Blur Pickleball Paddle |
8.3
|
Check on Amazon |
FAQs:
Are wooden pickleball paddles legal?
Wooden pickleball paddles are legal if they meet all the standards set by USAPA. Pickleball paddles are made from a variety of materials, including wood, fiber, composite materials, and graphite and will be considered as legal of they meet certain criteria set by USAPA. However, wooden pickleball paddles are not preferred by pro players since they are heavy and lack impressive speed. This makes them less suitable for hard hits.
Are oversized pickleball paddles legal?
Pickleball paddles that are longer than 17 inches and the total sum of their length and width is more than 24 inches are legal as per guidelines provided by USAPA. However, many brands sacrifice the width to create long paddles having a maximum length of 17 inches. These puddles are 7 inches wide and are known as elongated pickleball paddles. These paddles are legal and can be used in official USAPA tournaments.
Can you modify your pickleball paddle?
Excessive modification can make your pickleball paddle illegal. However, you can modify the warp and grip size. You can use lead tape on the grip but cannot add thick decals that may change the roughness of the paddle.
Can you make your own pickleball paddles?
Yes, many DIYers make pickleball paddles for 7-ply wood. These homemade pickleball paddles are inexpensive and are used in recreational pickleball matches. However, homemade pickleball paddles do not comply with the USAPA standards making them illegal for official tournaments at the national level.
Wrapping Up:
We are hopeful that this guide will help you avoid illegal pickleball paddles while buying new pickleball paddles. Remember, you need to buy a legal pickleball paddle if you want to take part in the official USAPA tournaments. If you are only interested in recreational gaming, you can buy any pickleball paddle that suits your needs. Illegal pickleball paddles are inexpensive, and you can customize them as per your taste and needs.
Here are some of the Pickleball paddles that are recommended and are USAPA-approved.
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Best Pickleball Paddles For Control
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