It’s so nice to see more off-court pickleball basics videos. I would love to see more warmups and joint and self-care instruction as well. This channel has really come a long way. Keep up the awesome work!
Really helpful video! It’s like having a savvy pickleball playing friend right here with me. I intend to do my paddle up much like this. I’m so excited that my new Icon paddle came a couple of days ago! Woo-Hoo!
Years as a tennis raquet technician & tested most modifications personally...Saw the Ben John mods you mentioned. Living through years of raquet technologies & strings I discovered how WILSON KEPT PROS ON BOARD...LEAD TAPE STARTING UNDER THE HANDLE...This carries weight through( even head light ) units...DRAMATIC ON SERVES... LOOSE WRIST THROW W/ACCURACY ACCURACY
Lead tape under the grip (handle) is a great approach too. I have tried that in tennis and pickleball and liked it. Thanks for sharing this concept. Video coming up :)
Diadem fan also. I've always worn a glove. Same issues mentioned about what degrades a grip, happens to a glove. I found a cheap brand (8bucs) so I 10 pair. I rotated them and also use powder. I still over grip for size and tac reason. I started using "gaffers" tape for edge guards on my other edgeless paddles.
I found the Diadem Icon paddle through you - Just received it AND........................OMG ! I love it ! Oh yes , and I found the video very helpful :)
Rather than electrical tape, I use gaffers tape as the protective tape. It is thicker than electrical tape, cheap, easy to remove without leaving residue, and won’t add weight to the paddle.
Take a piece of "scotch tape" to pull off the backing of any tape you use. Lovin my Icon since I weighted above the throat. Did the same to my CX14 with great results.
I would also recommend trying tennis overgrips, since they have an angled cut for the handle end that prevents the 'bubbling' effect when you begin angling down the overgrip. Plus, it has a small amount of adhesive, on the end, to hold it in place as you begin wrapping. I have found it is cut at the right angle for pickleball paddles. Plus, the extra length of the tennis overgrip gives you extra grip length for those longer handle paddles. The pickleball exclusive grips, can be a little bit short, if you do not stretch them as you are wrapping down the handle. I have also begun using gaffers tape since it is not as problematic or thin as electrical tape, but it is slightly heavier. Thanks for the great video Tony!
I've found that you start with a lighter paddle and adding weight at the tip, its not as bad. Also, I've found that weight on the end significantly increases spin rate on my serves. *disclaimer* results will vary!
Tony, the wrap section of the video is off the top of the screen. The handle gets cropped out of the screen. Do you wipe the old grip if it has been used?
Thank u for demonstration. How well does this paddle perform at net play? I am worried that the longer handle might make it tough to play at the net ( I have small hands so I ordered the lightweight version) thank u so much
@@BestPickleballCoach Thank you so much for the reply☺️ I can't wait to play with it. That is too bad they discontinued it too:( ( oh I forgot to mention I am also a southpaw too!)
Why not add weight only one side? I mean...pretty much always same edge is looking down and the other looking up. Wouldn't it also help with angling racket?
I am strongly considering purchasing the Diadem Icon addle. How durable is the hitting surface? I know Diadem acknowledges the potential for the surface to discolor. How about long term durability/playability? Enjoyed your video very much.
Hello Ken. We’ve been using the paddles for a while now and they have held up well. The only exception is if you get the paddle face wet while playing. And I mean wet - dripping wet. In this case the face can suffer some peeling.
In your demonstration of putting protective tape, the handle was not seen on the screen. for us to see. But the table and all the gadgets like the tapes and scissors etc were seen only. Bill Pad.
Adding lead tape adds to the paddle weight. It might not effect your swing speed but it adds weight. Even adding black tape to the edge guard adds weight.
I still don't understand why you want to add lead tape. You described that you need to put it on top and bottom for balance/counter-weight. But I didn't hear what you accomplish by using the lead tape in the first place.. What does it allow you to do that you cannot do without the lead tape affixed to the paddle?
When the ball hits the outside edges of your paddle, your paddle will twist inward. The extra weight will lessen this twisting effect. A heaver paddle swung at the same speed as a lighter paddle will hit the ball faster because of less deflection and more mass.
Love this guy. But the mad hatter was effected by mercury not lead. I am a old time plumber ( Greece plumb. Worker of lead)😊 50yrs in the business. I worked with lead daily for years and years. I never contracted lead poison. I’m reasonable confident that I’ll die of embarrassment on the court before lead poisoning.
Hello David. Our production crew was off this week. There were a few places where it was off-center but I hope you were able to get the gist of the story line.
Great tutorial. Thanks 🙏
Ty
It’s so nice to see more off-court pickleball basics videos. I would love to see more warmups and joint and self-care instruction as well. This channel has really come a long way. Keep up the awesome work!
Hello LatiNoble. Appreciate the feedback. We are always working to improve (on and off the court)
Great idea on the golfer's lead tape. I can't find any pickleball lead tape near me but a local golf shop had it. Thanks!
Glad it helped.
Really helpful video! It’s like having a savvy pickleball playing friend right here with me. I intend to do my paddle up much like this. I’m so excited that my new Icon paddle came a couple of days ago! Woo-Hoo!
Love it.
,
Years as a tennis raquet technician & tested most modifications personally...Saw the Ben John mods you mentioned. Living through years of raquet technologies & strings I discovered how WILSON KEPT PROS ON BOARD...LEAD TAPE STARTING UNDER THE HANDLE...This carries weight through( even head light ) units...DRAMATIC ON SERVES... LOOSE WRIST THROW W/ACCURACY ACCURACY
Lead tape under the grip (handle) is a great approach too. I have tried that in tennis and pickleball and liked it. Thanks for sharing this concept. Video coming up :)
Have the same paddle. Love the maneuverability, pop and spin!
It is an awesome paddle.
Thanks for sharing! Very helpful!
Pleasure
Thanks so much for this! As a fellow lefty, I especially appreciated the recommendation to reverse the angle!
Lefty power. :)
direct and right to the point!!!!!!! thanks!! upvoted!!
Ty Oleg
Diadem fan also. I've always worn a glove. Same issues mentioned about what degrades a grip, happens to a glove. I found a cheap brand (8bucs) so I 10 pair. I rotated them and also use powder. I still over grip for size and tac reason. I started using "gaffers" tape for edge guards on my other edgeless paddles.
I will have to check out the gaffers tape. Am not familiar with it. Appreciate the tip.
@@BestPickleballCoach a bit pricey. Shop around.
@@BestPickleballCoach Just weighted my Icon with the placement you use. Huge improvement on my serve power.Thanks.
I found the Diadem Icon paddle through you - Just received it AND........................OMG ! I love it ! Oh yes , and I found the video very helpful :)
Hi Cathy. Thanks for letting us know. It’s a great paddle.
Rather than electrical tape, I use gaffers tape as the protective tape. It is thicker than electrical tape, cheap, easy to remove without leaving residue, and won’t add weight to the paddle.
Cheap? I shopped and it's a bit steep.
Thanks for sharing Doug
Take a piece of "scotch tape" to pull off the backing of any tape you use. Lovin my Icon since I weighted above the throat. Did the same to my CX14 with great results.
Thanks Kim. Appreciate the suggestion
I would also recommend trying tennis overgrips, since they have an angled cut for the handle end that prevents the 'bubbling' effect when you begin angling down the overgrip. Plus, it has a small amount of adhesive, on the end, to hold it in place as you begin wrapping. I have found it is cut at the right angle for pickleball paddles. Plus, the extra length of the tennis overgrip gives you extra grip length for those longer handle paddles. The pickleball exclusive grips, can be a little bit short, if you do not stretch them as you are wrapping down the handle.
I have also begun using gaffers tape since it is not as problematic or thin as electrical tape, but it is slightly heavier.
Thanks for the great video Tony!
How much weight did the tapes and over grip add to the paddleL?
Thanks Robert. Good stuff.
Great info!
Ty Blake
I've found that you start with a lighter paddle and adding weight at the tip, its not as bad. Also, I've found that weight on the end significantly increases spin rate on my serves. *disclaimer* results will vary!
Great stuff. Thanks for sharing
Like the video, but wish you kept the paddle in the camera view. Also, when adding lead tape, it might be helpful to weigh everything before/after.
Thanks Mike. Agree on camera angle. Happens. Weighing is a good suggestion but from my vantage point it’s more feel than weight.
Thanks I'm a new player and nobody could answer if I should wrap my paddle different cause I'm a lefty.
Glad it helped Ron. Welcome to pickleball.
Tony, as a fellow lefty, are you changing the direction of the tape for a left handed grip for comfort or are there other reasons to do it?
Just cause we are lefty - and it is fairly easy to do. It is actually harder for me to grip Jill's paddle (right-handed) now. :)
Tony, the wrap section of the video is off the top of the screen. The handle gets cropped out of the screen. Do you wipe the old grip if it has been used?
Hi Pam. Happens sometimes :). Figured the gist was still there. I do not wipe any grip. Remove grip and discard it. Apply new grip. Simple pimple. :)
Thank u for demonstration. How well does this paddle perform at net play? I am worried that the longer handle might make it tough to play at the net ( I have small hands so I ordered the lightweight version) thank u so much
Hi Katie. Plays great at the net and everywhere. Wish they hadn’t discontinued it :(
@@BestPickleballCoach Thank you so much for the reply☺️ I can't wait to play with it. That is too bad they discontinued it too:( ( oh I forgot to mention I am also a southpaw too!)
@@katiej5051 always love a fellow southpaw
@@BestPickleballCoachagree!😄
@@katiej5051 ✌
Why not add weight only one side? I mean...pretty much always same edge is looking down and the other looking up. Wouldn't it also help with angling racket?
Interesting. I guess you could if you were consistent in how you held the paddle. But you would lose the ballasting the other way.
I am strongly considering purchasing the Diadem Icon addle. How durable is the hitting surface? I know Diadem acknowledges the potential for the surface to discolor. How about long term durability/playability?
Enjoyed your video very much.
Hello Ken. We’ve been using the paddles for a while now and they have held up well. The only exception is if you get the paddle face wet while playing. And I mean wet - dripping wet. In this case the face can suffer some peeling.
@@BestPickleballCoach Thanks.
Just got a ICON...WILL MODIFY- GRIP SHAPE, SIZE, & WEIGHT ...3 COATS POLYURETHANE ...I WILL LOVE IT...
In your demonstration of putting protective tape, the handle was not seen on the screen. for us to see. But the table and all the gadgets like the tapes and scissors etc were seen only.
Bill Pad.
Thanks for the feedback. Production crew issues :)
Adding lead tape adds to the paddle weight. It might not effect your swing speed but it adds weight. Even adding black tape to the edge guard adds weight.
Definitely adds weight. Good to experiment and see how it works for you.
Hi there, I don’t see where the links to buy the tape etc. Any help?
Hi Bill. The link is to WeArePickleball.com/resources. Hope this helps.
It actually works better to cut it the other way. Pro tip from wrapping handlebars
Appreciate the tip. Will give it a try.
I still don't understand why you want to add lead tape. You described that you need to put it on top and bottom for balance/counter-weight. But I didn't hear what you accomplish by using the lead tape in the first place.. What does it allow you to do that you cannot do without the lead tape affixed to the paddle?
When the ball hits the outside edges of your paddle, your paddle will twist inward. The extra weight will lessen this twisting effect. A heaver paddle swung at the same speed as a lighter paddle will hit the ball faster because of less deflection and more mass.
Avoids/reduces paddle flutter on mis-hits. Like a ballast on a ship :).
Thanks Dale
Why take the original
Edge guards off?
Just aesthetics as I recall
You should have taken off the grommets and put the lead underneath the grommets
That’s next level work :)
Love this guy. But the mad hatter was effected by mercury not lead. I am a old time plumber ( Greece plumb. Worker of lead)😊 50yrs in the business. I worked with lead daily for years and years. I never contracted lead poison. I’m reasonable confident that I’ll die of embarrassment on the court before lead poisoning.
Thanks for the comment. 100% right you are. I mixed my metals :). Appreciate the clarification.
You could adjust the camera so the viewer can see more of what you are doing. We do not have to view more of the tools. I turned it off.
Appreciate the feedback. Happens sometimes when the production crew is asleep at the camera :).
Dude, when you're putting the over grip it's barely in the frame...
It's just wrapping round and round (and round some more). My camera guy had a family thing that day and my framing is no so bueno.
Wow. I think you could have framed this video a little better. Most of the action is taking place out of frame.
Hello David. Our production crew was off this week. There were a few places where it was off-center but I hope you were able to get the gist of the story line.
@@BestPickleballCoach nice professional response
@@walterski8377 we try :).
You camera angle is poor!
Yeah - production crew was off that day.