UPA-A introducing 'destructive testing' as part of pickleball paddle approval process
Last Edited
Apr 15 2025
Category
News
The United Pickleball Association of America -- the governing body of the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball -- recently released more information about a new "destructive testing" process that has been incorporated into UPA-A paddle testing.
The new test, known as an "Accelerated Break In Standard" (ABI), is meant to determine how a paddle's performance changes over time.
Many paddle models that have been introduced over the past 2-3 years have had a noticeable "break-in" period during which they increase in power, sometimes to levels that the UPA-A and consumers consider unsafe and against the spirit of the game.
Read next: United Pickleball Association releases guidance on when to stop using pickleball paddles
The UPA-A official testing laboratory, Pickle Pro Labs, recently completed a monthslong investigation into paddle "break in" and the results of that study have been used to establish the ABI procedure.
The test "physically breaks down the structure of a paddle in a controlled and
systematic manner such that it does not result in visible damage to the paddle," according to the UPA-A.
The performance gain is then measured by a "Paddle Efficiency Factor" that determines a paddle's power level by determining how efficiently it transfers energy to a ball. Effective Sept. 1, all UPA-A paddles must meet a standard of 0.385 PEF when new and must not exceed a PEF ceiling of 0.405 (a 5.2% increase) after undergoing a standard break in procedure.
How it works
Paddles are inserted into a vise with leather pieces placed between the paddle face and the inside of the jaws. At multiple locations at the center and edges of the paddle, an operator will tighten the vise for "a minimum of 15 compression cycles" to compress the paddle face in specific increments.
Once that process is complete, the paddle is inserted at one of the edges and the opposite edge is then bent 10 to 15 degrees from its original centerline. This process is completed 20 times for each location.
Paddle are only "broken-in" to a predetermined threshold, which is a function of the paddle’s thickness. If a paddle can withstand the capped ABI protocol with their PEF not exceeding the 0.405 threshold, the paddle will be considered compliant.
In the future, the UPA-A intends to ramp up the aggressiveness of the ABI protocols by removing the ABI cap. In this future scenario all paddles will be tested until their maximum PEF has been experimentally determined.
Read next: See the full list of paddle brands approved for PPA Tour, MLP events
The UPA-A acknowledged that the process outlined involves a human operator and inherently has variability, but said the operator(s) will become more skilled in this process with repetition.
The governing body is also said an automated ABI process that will improve the efficiency, effectiveness and repeatability of the ABI process is currently in development and is expected to be introduced in the coming months.
Why it matters
The UPA-A hopes the destructive testing will benefit manufacturers, players and the game as a whole.
For manufacturers: "The capped ABI creates a conservative and standardized benchmark for paddle break in."
For players: "It ensures no paddle gains unfair power over time without being identified by onsite testing."
For the sport: "It puts us on a path of improved competitive integrity by confirming that certified paddles do not break in at an uncontrolled rate."
Read next: UPA-A removes all Luzz paddles from approved equipment list
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