How long as everybody known about flick weight and why have I just heard about it? Pickleball…I learn something new everyday.

First, a new paddle company called me from North Carolina and asked if he could send me one of their paddles to try? (Of course, I said, “sure.” This Pickleball Terry thing does come with great perks.) Then he started telling me about paddle weight, swing weight and then flick weight. Flick weight? What the heck? I let it slide. But then I’m on TikTok (bye bye TikTok) and there was a pro showing how to to apply a swing weight to your paddle. Okay, now I have to do a deep dive. Flicking is essential to a 3.5 level player and up. And here is what I found.

1. When someone says a paddle is “heavy,” they often mean it feels unbalanced (hello, high flick weight 🙄).
2. A paddle with a high swing weight doesn’t have to be slow at the kitchen line—it might actually have a low flick weight and feel zippy.

Curious? Stick around, and we’ll dive into the  details.

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The Pickleball “Heavy Paddle” Myth 🧐

There’s this old-school idea floating around pickleball circles:

• Heavy paddles = power on drives but sloooow at the kitchen line.

Everyone says it—weekend warriors, paddle nerds, even your favorite pro.

But here’s the twist: this “wisdom” might be totally wrong.

You can absolutely have a paddle with the power of a cannon and the speed of a hummingbird. The key? Understanding flick weight.

You can absolutely have a paddle with the power of a cannon and the speed of a hummingbird.

What the Heck Is Flick Weight? 🤔

First, let’s talk about the usual suspects:

1. Actual Weight (Static Weight): How much the paddle weighs, like 8.1 oz.
2. Swing Weight: How heavy the paddle feels when you swing it from your shoulder.
3. Twist Weight: How stable the paddle is on off-center hits (goodbye, wobbly mis-hits).

Now, meet the underdog: Flick Weight.

Flick weight measures how the paddle feels when you flick your wrist. It’s the secret sauce for quick reactions at the kitchen line.

• High flick weight: The paddle feels sluggish and clunky.
• Low flick weight: The paddle feels light and snappy.

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Why Flick Weight Rules in Pickleball 👑

In pickleball, flicking your wrist is everything—think rolls, dinks, and counter-attacks. Unlike tennis, where big shoulder swings are the norm, pickleball requires speed and precision right at the net.

That’s where flick weight comes in:

• A paddle with low flick weight is like a ninja—light, fast, and always ready.
• A paddle with high flick weight feels like swinging a frying pan at a fruit fly.

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The Balance Point Experiment 🧪

Some paddle fanatics measured 20 paddles using a Briffidi BP1 Racquet Balance Device (fancy, right?). Here’s what we found:

• A paddle with a balance point at 24.1cm (6″) from the butt cap feels… balanced (duh).
• Adding weight to the butt cap lowers flick weight without messing with swing weight.

Here’s how it works:

• 1/4 oz (7g) on the butt cap drops flick weight by 1 point.
• Add 1 oz (28g), and your paddle goes from flick weight 6 (balanced) to flick weight 2 (crazy fast).

SLYCE Weighted SpeedCap (28g, 1.0 oz.) Paddle Performance Enhancer order here.

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Why “Heavy” Doesn’t Always Mean Heavy 🤯

Tested this with players ranging from 4.5 to 5.5:

• They were given a 9 oz paddle (flick weight 3.2) and an 8 oz paddle (flick weight 6.8).
• Every single player said the 8 oz paddle felt heavier.

Why? Balance. The 8 oz paddle had a higher flick weight, so it felt clunky despite being lighter.

Flick Weight Made Simple Here’s an easy scale:

• Flick Weight 6: Balanced.
• Below 6: Head-light, faster paddle.
• Above 6: Head-heavy, slower paddle.

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How to Tune Your Paddle Like a Pro 🎯

Want your paddle to feel light and fast? Try this:

1. Add Weight to the Butt Cap:
   • Start with 1/4 oz (7g). Even small changes make a big difference.
   • Pro tip: Replace your grip with a Hesacore and an overgrip (like Yonex Supergrap) to lower flick weight by 2 points.
     
2. Keep Swing Weight in Check:
   • High swing weight for power? ✔️
   • Low flick weight for quick hands? Double ✔️.

The Big Takeaway 🎉

Understanding flick weight lets you have your pickleball cake and eat it too:

• Power for drives? Check.
• Speed at the kitchen line? Also check.

  

So grab your paddle, play around with weights, and get ready to dominate on the court. Happy tuning! ✨

Hope this post is entertaining and informative.

Thanks for reading,

Pickleball Terry
dinkpickleball@gmail.com