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.
- When someone says a paddle is “heavy,” they often mean it feels unbalanced (hello, high flick weight 🙄).
- 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.
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:
- Actual Weight (Static Weight): How much the paddle weighs, like 8.1 oz.
- Swing Weight: How heavy the paddle feels when you swing it from your shoulder.
- 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.
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.
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).
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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.
How to Tune Your Paddle Like a Pro 🎯
Want your paddle to feel light and fast? Try this:
- 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.
- 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