WHAT SETUP IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Q: Is there a specific placement of weight that is better than another?
A: No. The placement of weight is a personal preference. How it feels in your hand and how it performs is what is most important. Our guide shows what happens when weight is added to certain paddle parts.
Q: Why is the Thrive Weighting System unique?
A: Once you have found where you like to place your weight, you can duplicate your paddle forever. This is impossible with other paddles unless you have the machines to weigh, swing, and twist weight.
Q: I'm not familiar with swing weight, only paddle weight. What swing weight should I choose?
A: We like customers to choose their swing weight based on what they want to accomplish on the court.
(Light) A light swing-weight paddle is more manageable and will be easier to generate ball speed if you lack in this area. Light swing weight paddles are easily maneuverable with less effort. Most people fall into this range if they don't have a high swing speed or hit very hard.
(Medium) This weight is for the all-around player. Most intermediate to advanced players like the feel of a medium swing weight paddle. When adding the proper weight, this swing weight can give you great control, a large sweet spot, and an overall well-balanced paddle.
(Heavy) A heavy swing-weight paddle is for someone strong and looking for the most power possible. The sweet spot will be the largest, but you lack maneuverability and hand speed. Generally, a heavier paddle suits players who play a slower-paced game where hand speed is not as important.
Q: Other companies list the range of swing weights on the paddle. Is this the same as your paddles?
A: No. Unless you know the swing weight, any range of the swing weight is useless. Every paddle has a unique makeup with weight. The only proper way to customize your paddle is to know these numbers.
WEIGHT GLOSSARY
*THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT NUMBER
*Swing Weight- Measures how heavy the paddle feels when swung and determines how the weight is distributed throughout the paddle.
Twist Weight- A weight that measures how resistant the paddle is to rotation when the ball is hit off-center. When hit off-center, the paddle will twist, causing less stability. The higher the twist rate, the larger the sweet spot.
Balance Point- The distance of the paddle's center of gravity from the butt of the handle. This is measured in cm. The higher the number, the further the balance point is from the handle. The balance point determines the head heaviness of a paddle. Head Heavy- This number uses the balance point number to determine how head-heavy a paddle is. Paddles with a high swing weight have a higher head-heavy number than lighter swing-weight paddles. A paddle with a higher head-heavy number generally hits harder.
**THIS IS THE LEAST IMPORTANT NUMBER yet used all the time.
**Paddle (Static) Weight- This number is what the paddle weighs on a scale.
WHY TWIST WEIGHT IS SO IMPORTANT?
As players, we have been conditioned to only care about static/paddle weight. Have you ever heard someone say, "Hey, what's the twist weight on your paddle?" Instead, you hear, "I like my paddle to be 8.4 oz."
Hopefully, with some education, we will hear people talk about twisting weight in the future. This number is crucial in the overall performance of a paddle. In a nutshell, the higher the twist weight, the larger the sweet spot. If your paddle has a high twist weight, adding proper weight can only enhance the sweet spot. A more prominent sweet spot makes the game more accessible and makes you perform better on the court.
A paddle with a low twist weight (usually edgeless) is more challenging to control off-center hits.
3 GRAMS FROM THE HANDLE
SWING WEIGHT INCREASES BY +.65
TWIST WEIGHT INCREASES BY +.13
We suggest you start with this setup if you elect to add lead to your paddle. Your paddle will feel a little heavier but more stable on dinks. The twist weight increases slightly, which will make the sweet spot larger.
6 GRAMS FROM THE HANDLE
SWING WEIGHT INCREASES BY +1.85
TWIST WEIGHT INCREASES BY .52
This is the most common setup among players if they can handle the increased swing weight. By adding 6 grams from the handle to both sides, the swing weight increases by 1.85 pts. Twist weight increases by 7.6% by adding weight to this location, considerably increasing the sweet spot. With this setup, you will notice better control and feel. You will lose a little head heaviness but still have good power on drives.
3 GRAMS 1" FROM HANDLE
SWING WEIGHT INCREASES BY +.97
TWIST WEIGHT INCREASES BY +.31
If you first tried putting 3 grams starting at the handle, I would move the weight 1 inch from the grip and try this area. Your swing weight will increase slightly, but you will make a sizable increase in twist rate, which will make the sweet spot larger.
6 GRAMS 1" FROM THE HANDLE
SWING WEIGHT INCREASES BY +2.51
TWIST WEIGHT INCREASES BY +.79
When weight is added further up the paddle, you will start to see sizable increases in both swing weight and twist rate. With this setup, the twist rate increases by 11% as the swing weight increases by 2.51. If this setup feels good, and you do not lose hand speed, this is a very good option.
3 GRAMS 2 1/2 " FROM HANDLE
SWING WEIGHT INCREASES BY +1.25
TWIST WEIGHT INCREASES BY +.43
This area is very good if you want a little extra swing and twist weight. This location will give the paddle a very controlled, solid feel.
3 GRAMS AT 3 & 9 O'CLOCK
SWING WEIGHT INCREASES BY +3.67
TWIST WEIGHT INCREASES BY +.73
This setup adds a lot of swing weight to the paddle and a lot of twist weight. If you love to reset the ball and have great control, this setup may be for you. If you like to do rolls at the net, this setup may be difficult with so much weight on the sides.
3 GRAMS AT 10 & 2 O'CLOCK
SWING WEIGHT INCREASES BY +7.87
TWIST WEIGHT INCREASES BY +.32
10 & 2 is the power setup. The swing weight goes through the roof to give you the most power. The twist rate doesn't move that high, but if you want power and can handle the heaviness, this would be your setup. Beware of tennis elbow with this setup and other potential injuries. We are not doctors, but we want players to know the risks.
Credits - Thrivepb.com
This information was shared to us by our Coach, Alex Pecora. - Thank you, Alex!
If you find a great article, send it to j@pickleball.ooo
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