Pickleball Paddle Power vs Pop Drill: At Selkirk University, a popular online platform for pickleball players, a new video explains the real difference between two common paddle terms—power and pop. In the video, a Selkirk representative helps players understand how these features affect their game and which paddle might be best for their style.
The video explains that many players are confused when rating paddles. Even when they test different ones, they struggle to decide which has more power. This confusion shows why it’s important to know the difference between power and pop.
The speaker says, “I feel like there’s a distinction in today’s game that really needs to be made and addressed so that people understand how to describe the feel of a pickleball paddle so that they know exactly what they’re looking for.”
What Is Power?
Power in pickleball paddles is all about how strong a shot can be when hitting a slow or still ball. This could be a serve, a floating ball, or a high bounce that needs to be put away.
Power paddles help send those shots deep and fast. The speaker says, “Power paddles have to do with contacting a ball that is at rest or not moving very fast.”
When hitting these types of shots, players want a paddle that feels strong and solid. This makes it easier to put balls away with speed and accuracy.
What is Pop?
Pop, on the other hand, is about how the paddle reacts when the ball is already moving fast. If a strong serve comes your way, a paddle with good pop helps send the ball back quickly without much effort.
The speaker explains, “Maybe somebody hits a big serve at you and your ability to kind of effortlessly return the ball deep into the court would be an indicator that that paddle has great pop.”
Pop matters most during fast exchanges or returns. It helps players win hand battles by reacting quickly.
Comparing Paddle Types
The video compares two models of the Project 008 paddle. One is the 10 mm version with a tour shape, and the other is a 16 mm version with an Invicta shape. Both are considered “hybrid plus” paddles, which means they fall between control and power styles.
The 16 mm version is better for strong serves and finishing shots. The speaker says, “You’re going to feel really good when you’re serving the ball or if you were to put away a ball that was floating above you, but you’re not going to feel the same responsiveness from this paddle if you were going to counterattack or return.”
The 10 mm version also offers good power but adds more pop. This makes it useful in fast-paced situations. “That added pop just helps me come out on top in hands battles and things like that,” the speaker says.
What Players Should Do Next
The speaker suggests that players need to think about their own play style before choosing a paddle. “The next time that you’re looking for your perfect paddle, I want you to think about, do I want more pop or do I want more power?” the speaker adds.
Selkirk University plans to use these terms—power and pop—more clearly in future videos to help players make better choices.
Why It Matters
Understanding paddle differences helps players improve their game. When players know whether they need more power or more pop, they can choose the right tool for their strengths. Selkirk’s focus on explaining these terms makes the shopping process easier and smarter for pickleball players of all levels.
News in Brief: Pickleball Paddle Power vs Pop Drill
Selkirk University released a video explaining the difference between paddle power and pop. Power is for slow shots like serves; pop helps with fast returns. The video compares paddle types and advises players to know what they need. This helps players pick paddles that match their game style.
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