UPA-A outlines how paddle testing methods differ from USA Pickleball standards
Last Edited
Jan 28 2026
Category
News
The United Pickleball Association of America recently released paddle testing data that shows key differences between UPA-A standards, which govern the pro game, and USA Pickleball standards, which are broadly used across the amateur game.
In a news release, the UPA-A said it "applies significantly more stringent testing standards than USA Pickleball (USAP) and that difference is measurable, consistent and intentional."
During its 2025 certification cycle, the UPA-A said it tested more than 250 paddles. Approximately 95% of those models were already approved by USAP.
Despite that, about 40% of the USAP approved paddles that were submitted failed UPA-A testing, showcasing a key difference in how the two organizations evaluate performance.
Since formal 2025 UPA-A certification testing began, more than 100 paddles have failed that testing -- that is 40% of total submissions.
That may seem high, but it's down from UPA-A's first public report in the fall of 2025 that showed a 47% failure rate. The UPA-A believes the lower failure rate is an indication that manufacturers have improved their quality control measures to ensure paddles are performing within the limits before they submit for testing.
Governing bodies use different tests
A key difference is in how the UPA-A and USAP test paddles.
The UPA-A uses a direct test for spin by firing a ball at the paddle and using high-speed cameras to track how how much spin is imparted on the ball in the moments after impact. USAP, on the other hand, uses a grit/surface roughness test, which is a proxy test for spin.
Additionally, the UPA-A evaluates paddles after a break-in period, while USAP tests paddles only when they are brand new. The UPA-A said in its release that extensive testing has confirmed that all paddles change over time, often becoming significantly more powerful.
Read next: What we learned during our tour of the UPA-A paddle testing lab
In data shared publicly last week, the UPA-A illustrated that many USAP-approved paddles were failing its tests for spin, power (PEF) and break-in (ABI).
The UPA-A said its testing methods are "designed to better reflect how paddles perform in the field, over time, and limit the speed and spin to protect the delicate balance that makes pickleball so unique. As manufacturers adapt, the narrowing failure rates suggest the industry is already responding."
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