Learning to Use Your Custom Pickleball Paddle
The first step to learning how to use a new custom pickleball paddle is to practice with it as gently as possible for the first low-intensity practice sessions; no hard hits or over intensity matches for the time being. Custom paddles have a string bed and surface made of composites and or carbon fiber. The paddles string bed and surface composites are received new stiff. As a result, there may be micro damages to the paddle’s surface or performance decreasing greatly if sudden and forceful impacts are applied. The same logic is applied as warming up the muscles before a workout, a paddle needs to be eased into action.
The paddle should first be appreciated in relation to the performance of the other objects. Once an agreeable speed is established, the server should then focus on soft dinks and gentle volleys. You should use a wall to practice with as well as a partner. Soft, short, and gentle paddles should be emphasized. Ripping the paddle or bounding it to the surface with force will over time. be overwhelming and damaging. This is the time to assess and be conscious of the paddle. You will notice it has “no give” and is rigid. In about 30-45 minutes, the paddle will no longer feel like a brick.
Don’t skip this step and do try to use your new paddle in a match. Jumping straight into competitive games can cause a pickleball paddle to lose string tension too quickly or develop tiny unnoticed surface cracks. Starting with slow games gives your custom paddle time to adapt to your playing style. This resolves the issue of your paddle not behaving as expected in competitive matches.
Modify the paddle’s grip pressure to suit your pickleball style.
Break in your new paddle by adjusting your grip to match the paddle’s pressure. This helps the paddle to better adapt and gives the player a greater sense of comfort and control. Each paddle is designed with a handle of specific dimensions and a unique weight distribution, hence the grip pressure you applied to your old paddle might not work in this case. If the wrong grip pressure is applied during the break in period, the player might suffer premature fatigue, inconsistent shot accuracy, as well as damage to the paddle handle in the long run.
First, relax your grip around the custom paddle, like you’re holding an apple – it’s best not to hold too tightly or else you’ll crush the fruit, so hold it gently, but also firmly enough to not drop it. Focus on your left hand during the gentle practice. If your fingers hurt or ache after 15 minutes, you gripped way too hard. So loosen your grip, and focus on the order of letting the paddle’s weight direct your swings instead of swinging by hand.
You can also try other grip enhancements. If the paddle handle feels too big or too thick, you can wrap it in a grip tape that should be pickleball specific, so you do not slip. This adjustment can determine how well you control the paddle during a break in process. It’s better to value the grip relaxation pressure that feels pleasing with the paddle. This helps to avoid any unnecessary pain during the process. With that said, it also helps the performance of the fully broken in paddle.
Concentrate on Consistnent Ball Contact with Your Custom Pickleball Paddle
The simple yet powerful act of making contact with the pickleball while striking the “sweet spot” with the paddle is the essential the skill needed to break in a new custom pickleball paddle. Each custom paddle has an area on the surface of the paddle designated as the “sweet spot” and defined as the area on the paddle surface where ball contact enables the best level of control and the greatest amount of power. Concentrating on the sweet spot while breaking in a paddle assists in the helpful wearing of the paddle material therefore the sweet spot will remain the same and won’t “shift” over time. Striking it off-center too often during the break in period will create uneven tension on the paddle and create premature wear or smaller sweet spots.
To work on achieving “consistent contact” try the following simple drill: During a practice game, try and see how accurate you can get the ball to land on a small sticker or piece of tape that you put on the sweet spot of the paddle. Start with very small, light motions doing dinks over the net or in some light volleying and work your way up to achieving a level of comfortable control where you can increase the speed in your volleys and dinks while making contact with the area designated on the tape or sticker. Look at the movement and try and get your self to monitor your follow through so that your focus is saying where is this ball going and where it is actually going.
You’ll know you are making improvements when reaching the sweet spot feels natural and you can sense increased control over the shots. The ball will ‘pop’ when it hits the paddle. Remember not to hit random shots during the break-in period. Even though it may be fun to practice other angles or fast smashes, focus on consistent, sweet spot hits for the first 2-3 practice sessions. This will allow the paddle to develop evenly to ensure it can last for months, or years, of reliable use.
Avoiding extreme conditions during the break-in period of custom pickleball paddles is essential.
These paddles use materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, or polymer which are temperature, moisture, and impact sensitive. All of these conditions can and will affect the paddles. Under extreme conditions, the materials can stay underperforming and become useless the the long run.
Keep your paddle out of the exposure of sunlight for too long, whether it is parked in the car, resting beside a window, or left on the court. Direct sunlight on a paddle can reach excessive temperatures which will warp the frame or weaken the glue which is fastening the layers of the paddle. Do not use the paddle in the rain or damp condition while it is still being broken in, as this paddle will moisture and mold, swell or lose stiffness. If you find yourself paddling in very light rain, you can gently dry the paddle and air dry it in the shade.You should also avoid dropping the paddle or slamming it against hard surfaces (like the court, a fence, or a bench) during the break-in period. New paddle materials are more brittle whilst unbroken, so even a small drop can leave a surface crack or damage the core. When not in use, the paddle should be kept in a padded pickleball bag. This will prevent damage in the rest of the break-in period, like bumps and scrathces. Most importantly, a bag protects the paddle from overheating and extreme cold, which can ensures the paddle is in superb break-in condition. This will result in the paddle reaching the performance it is guaranteed to deliver in off the shelf condition. This will be evident during regular play.
An ideal approach to breaking in a new custom pickleball paddle isn’t about speed, it’s about exercising a series of gameplay changes. These changes would help the paddle adapt to her playing style to attain maximum performance. Gentle practice sessions would require maintaining the paddle as well as to grip pressure, and contact with the sweet spot. Each period will enhance performance whilst increasing the paddle’s longevity.
A custom pickleball paddle is an investment in you game. You will realize value if you get better control, more consistent shots, and a paddle that can last through countless matches. Proper break-in will ensure that you realize value for your investment.
These steps will improve your custom paddle. You will soon notice that power is easier to generate and shots will feel more natural. You will also have more confidence to give your best on the court. Be patient. I know it is easier said than done, but practicing with maximum intent is the key. Remember, you break your pickleball paddle, not the other way around.