Paddles Banned by USA Pickleball

If you've been around Pickleball for a while, you know how many paddles are on the market and how often new ones are introduced. The USA Pickleball organization tests and approves all new paddles to ensure they meet standards for size, surface, and ball response. Their main goal is to uphold the sport's integrity by focusing on skill, finesse, and control during play. However, some paddles are introduced to the market before formal approval and are subsequently banned, which players should be aware of to avoid using disqualified equipment.

Referees check each paddle a player uses in Professional and any sanctioned tournaments to ensure USA Pickleball requirements are met. Paddles are typically banned due to their 'trampoline effect,' which increases the ball speed coming off the paddle. Being aware of disqualification criteria helps recreational players avoid using prohibited paddles. Even if a player is not interested in tournament play, playing with a disqualified paddle may lead to disputes and an unpleasant environment. Remember, in tournament play, a key concern is the paddle's compliance, not the player.

Banned paddles:

JOOLA

Perseus 14mm Mod TA-15

Perseus 16mm Mod TA-15

Gearbox

Pro Power Elongated

ProKennex

Black Ace Ovation

Black Ace Pro

Black Ace XF

The once banned ProKennex Black Ace LG did subsequently pass the test and is now allowed for tournament play.

Chorus

Chorus Fire EX

Chorus Fire SX

(Chorus Fire HX sunset scheduled)

How to Confirm Current Paddle Status

USA Pickleball publishes and up-to-date Approved Paddle List on their website. Any paddles not on the list is considered non-compliant for sanctioned tournaments. Here is a link to their website.

https://equipment.usapickleball.org/paddle-list/