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Indoor pickleball with 26 large holes next to outdoor pickleball with 40 small holes
How to Play

Indoor vs. Outdoor Pickleball: What Changes and What Doesn't

Indoor balls: 26 holes, softer plastic, slower. Outdoor balls: 40 holes, harder plastic, wind-resistant. Court dimensions and rules are identical. Here is what to know.

How to PlayPaddletek Tempest Wave Pro-C pickleball paddle for intermediate players

The Best Paddle for Intermediate Players (and How to Stop Buying the Wrong One)

The best paddle for an intermediate pickleball player has a forgiving sweet spot, a control-oriented core (14 mm or thicker), a raw carbon face that generates spin without demanding perfect techniq...

Paddle BasicsPickleball paddle face comparison showing new surface texture versus worn texture

How to Tell When It's Time to Replace Your Pickleball Paddle

Casual players get years. Frequent players, 6 to 18 months. Here are the five signs your paddle has already started fading and how to test for it.

Paddle BasicsPickleball paddle shape comparison: standard, hybrid, and elongated dimensions

Paddle Shape and Size: Elongated vs. Standard and What It Does to Your Game

Paddle shape is a zero-sum geometry problem. USA Pickleball caps the combined length and width at 24 inches (see USA Pickleball's official rulebook, page 9, rule 3.D.2. Every inch you add in length...

Paddle BasicsCam Chaffin demonstrating spin at the kitchen line.

How Pickleball Paddles Generate Spin (and Why Surface Alone Isn't the Answer)

Pickleball paddles generate spin through a combined mechanical system of surface friction, core dwell time, mass rotational inertia, and stroke mechanics.

Paddle BasicsPaddle Weight, Swing Weight, and Balance: What the Numbers Actually Mean

Paddle Weight, Swing Weight, and Balance: What the Numbers Actually Mean

Static weight, swing weight and balance point are the three metrics that define real-world maneuverability, power output, and shot control at game speed. Learn what these numbers actually mean.

NewsPaddletek Named Official Paddle and Ball Partner of Chicken N Pickle

Paddletek Named Official Paddle and Ball Partner of Chicken N Pickle

Paddletek and Chicken N Pickle are teaming up to bring a new all-venue program allowing guests to demo, rent and purchase Paddletek paddles, with professional clinics and events planned throughout ...

Paddle BasicsCleaning a Paddletek raw carbon fiber paddle face with a microfiber cloth

How to Extend the Life of Your Pickleball Paddle

How long can you keep a paddle performing? Casual players get years out of a quality paddle. Frequent players, three to five sessions a week, should expect 6 to 18 months of peak performance. Compe...

Paddle BasicsClose up of Paddletek Honeyfoam paddle

Full Foam vs. Honeycomb: How Modern Paddle Cores Actually Work

A pickleball paddle core determines how the ball feels when it hits, how much energy comes back, and how consistent that response stays over months of play. Here is how each core works, what the en...

Paddle BasicsPickleball player executing a soft reset at the kitchen line

The Control Game: Paddle Feel, Resets, and Arm-Friendly Play

Control in pickleball comes from three things working together: the core, twist weight, and swing weight. Here is what each variable does, and why it matters.