How Lead Tape Changes the Swing Weight of Your Paddle

Summary

In this video, Braden from Pickleball Effect demonstrates how adding lead tape to different parts of a pickleball paddle affects its swing weight. He explains the difference between static and swing weight, emphasizing that swing weight impacts the paddle's feel during play. Braden tests the 6-0 Double Black Diamond paddle and shows how various lead tape placements (bottom corners, top corners, sides) influence the swing weight, affecting stability and power. His findings reveal that top-corner placement has the biggest impact on swing weight, while side placement offers a balanced increase in both stability and power.

Takeaways

• 🏓 Swing weight is different from static weight, and it accounts for factors like weight distribution and paddle shape.
• 📏 Two paddles with the same static weight can feel different due to variations in swing weight.
• ⚖️ Swing weight typically ranges from 100 to 130, with higher numbers indicating heavier and slower paddles but more power.
• 🎯 Adding lead tape to different parts of the paddle affects swing weight and maneuverability.
• 📊 The base swing weight of the 6-0 Double Black Diamond paddle was measured at 110, which is considered light.
• ⬇️ Adding lead tape to the bottom two corners increased the swing weight to 115, a manageable increase.
• ⬆️ Adding tape to the top two corners resulted in a significant jump to 127, making the paddle feel much heavier.
• 🔄 Placing lead tape on both the top and bottom corners led to a swing weight of 121, a moderate increase.
• 🔁 Adding lead tape to the sides resulted in a swing weight of 119, offering a balanced mix of stability and power.
• ⚠️ When handling lead tape, it's important to wash hands afterward due to potential health risks.

Q & A

What is swing weight in a pickleball paddle?

Swing weight is a measurement that considers factors like the static weight, weight distribution, and shape of the paddle to give a number indicating how heavy the paddle feels when swinging. It differs from static weight, which is the overall weight of the paddle.

How does swing weight differ from static weight?

Static weight refers to the total weight of the paddle, while swing weight takes into account how the weight is distributed, making some paddles feel heavier or lighter during play, even if they have the same static weight.

What is considered a high or low swing weight?

Swing weight typically ranges between 100 and 130. A swing weight of 130 is considered very high, while 100 is very low.

How does adding lead tape affect the swing weight of a paddle?

Adding lead tape to different parts of the paddle significantly affects the swing weight. Lead tape on the bottom corners increases stability, while tape on the top corners adds power but makes the paddle feel heavier.

What was the initial swing weight of the 6-0 Double Black Diamond paddle?

The initial swing weight of the 6-0 Double Black Diamond paddle was 110, which is considered light and allows for quick movement through the air.

How much did the swing weight increase after adding lead tape to the bottom two corners?

Adding lead tape to the bottom two corners increased the swing weight by 5 points, from 110 to 115. This is a manageable increase, adding stability without significantly affecting maneuverability.

What was the effect of adding lead tape to the top two corners?

Adding lead tape to the top two corners caused a significant jump in swing weight, increasing it by 17 points, from 110 to 127, making the paddle feel much heavier.

What was the result of placing lead tape on both the top and bottom corners?

When lead tape was added to both the top and bottom corners, the swing weight increased to 121, an 11-point increase. This change was less than just adding it to the top corners but still resulted in a noticeable difference.

How did the swing weight change when lead tape was placed on the sides of the paddle?

Adding lead tape to the sides of the paddle increased the swing weight to 119, which is a 9-point increase. This configuration offers a balanced combination of stability and power.

What should be kept in mind when handling lead tape?

When handling lead tape, it's important to wash your hands afterward because lead is not safe to touch frequently. This is a safety precaution when adjusting paddle weights.