Do you need a USAPA Approved Pickleball paddle - (2024)

FAQs

Do you need a USAPA Approved Pickleball paddle -? ›

If you're planning to play in a USAPA sanctioned tournament you'll need a USAPA approved paddle. To ensure fair play, all paddles must meet certain specifications (size, roughness, and deflection). The USAPA uses an independent lab to certify the paddles.

If you are new to pickleball you may not know that to play a national pickleball association's officially sanctioned tournament, paddles have to be approved by the national association. For those of us in North America this is the USAPA.

The manufacturer must have a clearly marked brand and model name or model number on the paddle, and must also include the 'USA Pickleball Approved' seal or text treatment. Paddles with different core material, surface material, or other significant differences must have a unique name or number.

The pickleball community now has two organizations certifying pickleball paddles for professional use in tournaments: USA Pickleball (USAP), the first American governing body in the sport, and United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A), the newcomer under UPA, the organization that formed earlier this year to ...

The rulebook also states that the length of the paddle cannot exceed 17 inches (43.18cm). The USAPA does not place any restrictions on the thickness of pickleball paddles, but the majority of pickleball paddles are 0.4 to 0.6 inches (1.0-1.5cm) thick.

It was the world's first national pickleball organization established when it was formed in 1984 as the United States Amateur Pickleball Association. It reorganized as the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) in 2005. The organization adopted the name USA Pickleball in 2020.

Yes, all Selkirk and SLK pickleball paddles are USAPA-approved and ready for rec or tournament play.

Golden Pickleball Rule #1 – Fully Engage Your Body

Now what does it mean to have your body full engaged when you play? It means that you need to move your feet, split step, have good footwork getting to the ball, but also have good footwork between when you're hitting the ball and the next time you hit the ball.

Paddle thickness complements paddle shape. 13mm paddles are thinner for greater control and maneuverability while the thicker 16mm offer greater power on each swing. Handle length and grip size are also crucial components of a pickleball paddle.

USA Pickleball, the governing body of pickleball in the United States, has a few rules about paddle shape. First, The total length plus the total width of the paddle has to be equal to or less than 24 inches. So, if you have a pickleball paddle that is 16 inches long, it can't be wider than 8 inches because 16+8=24.

How do I know if my pickleball paddle is approved? ›

Your pickleball paddle must also have a brand and model name or model number clearly marked on the paddle, as well as “USA Pickleball Approved,” in seal or text form. If a paddle has a different core material, surface material, or other “significant differences,” it must also have a unique name or number.

The paddle should sound the same in the same parts of the paddle. (Meaning around the edge guard should sound the same all the way around the paddle. The sweet spot should sound the same around the entire sweet spot.) If any part of the paddle sounds “off,” you may have a dead spot.

Thinner paddles offer more pop and power and are typically lighter than their thicker counterparts, which helps with paddle agility.

Why Did JOOLA Gen 3 Paddles Get Banned? At this time, the Gen 3 pickleball paddles from JOOLA have been de-certified and removed from the USA Pickleball Approved Paddle list. So, this only impacts USA Pickleball-sanctioned events.

It is also not USAPA approved, so it can't be used in a tournament, in case you're planning on becoming a pro.

Did you know that pickleball paddles are allowed in BOTH carry-on and checked bags? Check out the TSA's website to find out what else you can and can't bring in in your bags: https://ow.ly/Hlgc50STiNW #PHLAirport.

When someone says a paddle is "illegal", they mean it isn't approved by USA Pickleball for tournament use. USA Pickleball doesn't use the term "illegal". After rigorous testing to check each paddle meets their standards, they publish a list of approved paddles.

Yes, Recess Classic paddles and Advanced paddles are USA Pickleball approved.

All Selkirk pickleball paddles are USAPA-approved.