Christian Alshon’s Pickleball Paddle Setup: Pro pickleball player Christian Alshon has shared how he sets up his paddle to match his style of play. In a recent walkthrough, he showed step-by-step how he adds weight, uses grip tape, and fine-tunes every detail to create better balance, power, and comfort when competing.
Custom Paddle Setup for Control and Balance
Christian Alshon uses a Paddletek Bantam TKO CX paddle, 12.7 mm version. He adds about 5.5 to 6 ounces of lead, mostly in the grip. The paddle’s total weight ends up around 8 ounces. He explained, “I’m using a thin lead that’s 1/4 inch wide and about 5 mm thick.” Since he prefers thinner lead, he layers it for better weight control.
To keep things consistent, he keeps a reference strip of lead that weighs about two ounces. He splits each strip into smaller pieces and places them on the four corners of the paddle head. “This adjustment doesn’t dramatically increase spin or power, but it makes the paddle feel more balanced overall,” he said.
Why He Changed His Lead Placement
Christian Alshon used to place lead tape along the sides of the paddle, starting from the throat. That gave him more power and better stability. But now, placing tape on the paddle’s corners gives a steadier feel during play. “Because it’s more evenly weighted, the paddle hits with more consistency—even in those edge dead zones every paddle has,” he shared.
He also explained why adding weight helps with strength. “More mass means more force when you swing,” he said, tying it back to basic physics.
Applying Tape the Right Way
To apply the tape, Christian Alshon carefully cuts each strip and sticks two small pieces at each corner. He always checks to keep both sides equal. “Use your old paddle as a reference point to ensure you’re placing tape the same way each time,” he said.
He also warned that lead should not be handled with bare hands for safety. He advised players to wash their hands after applying it or use gloves. As a safer option, he recommended tungsten tape. Still, he uses lead because he already had it stocked up.
Finishing Touches with Style and Safety
To seal the lead safely and add a clean look, Christian Alshon wraps the paddle edge with red electrical tape. “It matches my paddle’s edge guard and gives it a clean, finished look,” he said. The tape also covers the toxic lead, making the setup safer. He mentioned he’d use electrical tape even if he switched to tungsten.
Why He Chooses This Paddle
Christian Alshon sticks with the Paddletek Bantam TKO CX, which has a 5.75-inch handle. He said, “I prefer the longer handle because I like to use both hands at times.” For players wanting more control, he mentioned the 14.3 mm version as another option.
A Unique Grip Method for Feel and Consistency
Christian Alshon also changes how his grip is wrapped. He doesn’t like the factory ridges, so he rewinds the grip following the seam line exactly. “My goal is to eliminate the overlap feel, so it feels the same on both sides—ideal for how I like to spin and switch grips mid-play,” he explained.
After wrapping, he adds the finishing tape again and tests the feel with his eyes closed. His goal is to make sure the paddle feels even and ready for quick grip changes during matches.
Why This Setup Matters
Christian Alshon’s setup shows how detailed pro players get with their gear. His approach improves control, feel, and performance. For younger players or beginners, his method is a guide to understanding how small changes can lead to better results. As pickleball continues to grow, more players are likely to follow similar steps.
News in Brief: Christian Alshon’s Pickleball Paddle Setup
Christian Alshon shared how he sets up his paddle using lead tape, grip adjustments, and red electrical tape for safety and style. He now places lead on all four corners for balance and uses a longer handle for two-handed shots. His method offers control and consistency.
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