How to choose a pickleball racket?

How to choose the perfect Pick racket?

Do you know your pickleball rating? Even if you don't, you probably know if you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player. Knowing your skill level is crucial to choosing the right pick. A beginner racquet will have a larger sweet spot and provide more fault tolerance for your strokes. Advanced rackets are usually designed for power or control and may require more skill to use effectively.

The USAPA states that the total length and width of a Pick racquet (including any side guards and stock caps) must not exceed 24 inches (60.96 cm) and the length of the racquet must not exceed 17 inches (43.18 cm).

This means that if the racket is 16 inches long, the maximum width is 8 inches, while if the racket is 17 inches long, it can only be 7 inches wider to stay within the allowable total of 24 inches. Racket size can seriously affect performance. The longer the racket, the more difficult it is to hit the ball. The wider the racket, the more likely you are to hit it and the more maneuverability you have. The size of the racket also affects the size of the "sweet spot," the area in the center of the racket where players can get the most accurate reaction from their shots.

Are you confident in your goal, but want more power in your shooting? Then choose a longer racket. Similarly, if you want to make sure you're hitting a decent shot and want to get the maximum amount of spin on the ball, then opt for a wider bat and a bigger sweet spot.

Racket weight

Pickleball rackets, like boxers, can be classified as heavyweights. The three categories are:

Light weight - under 7.2 ounces

Medium weight - 7.3 to 8.4 ounces

Heavyweight - 8.5 ounces and above

Different weights of pickleball rackets have different advantages. The lightweight racquet is perfect for giving you ultimate mobility and fast response times. Great for tinkling and shooting, if you go from playing table tennis to kimchi ball, the lightweight option may be right for you.

The downside is that you won't be able to generate as much power in your strokes, and a lighter racket will cause more vibration in your arms and elbows, which can cause or exacerbate injuries. The medium-weight racquet is a happy medium for balancing power and control. Most intermediate players will choose this racket weight because they are the best all-around players. Heavyweight rackets range from 8.5 ounces up to 14 ounces. The heavier the racket, the more power it has behind it.

Also, with a heavier pick racket, you have to put less effort into your swing to get a solid shot. The downside of a heavier racket is that it gives you less control and mobility. If you are not sure which weight is best, we recommend using a light or medium weight racquet and try adding lead straps to find the right weight for you!