UPA-A Blogs

ABI Methodology

One of the most common misconceptions about UPA-A Paddle Testing is that the Accelerated Break-In (ABI) procedure is intended to simulate the exact conditions a paddle experiences during normal play....

Measuring What Matters

Paddle technology is improving at a staggering pace. New materials, manufacturing techniques, and performance innovations have transformed the game in just a few short years. With that innovation comes a...

Why Measuring Break-In Matters

Most paddle reviews tell you how a paddle performs out of the box. But how a paddle performs when new is not all that relevant because all paddles change over...

What I’ve learned reading 400+ paddle test results

You can tell which brands were founded by engineers within seconds of a conversation. They ask similar questions. They read the SOPs end to end. They either partner with a...

101 Spin

UPA-A is the governing body of professional pickleball, regulating play at the highest levels for PPA and MLP in the US, Asia, Australia, and Europe....

State of the Union: Paddles, Certification, & Fairness in Pickleball

Less than two years ago, pickleball was at a crossroads. Paddle performance was accelerating faster than the sport’s ability to regulate it. The introduction of the Joola Gen 3 era...