Ep. 04 — Handle Length: Short, Standard, Long
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Short, standard or long — what a quarter inch of handle actually changes, who plays which, and how to find yours.
A paddle can't be longer than 17 inches total, so every bit of handle comes out of the face. That's the whole trade-off: a longer handle gives you room for two hands and more leverage on full swings; a shorter handle gives that length back to the face for a bigger hitting area.
Handle length is measured from the bottom of the grip to the throat of the paddle. Three lengths cover almost everything on the market: 5.25", 5.5", and 5.75" to 6".
Short (5.25")
More paddle where the ball hits. The extra face length means a bigger hitting area, and the paddle feels compact and quick in hand battles at the kitchen. The trade-off: a two-handed backhand is a squeeze, and you get a little less whip on drives.
Compact. The paddle sits close to your hand.
The Wall and The Dinker — one-handed players who live at the kitchen line. You'll mostly find it on standard (widebody) shapes.
Anna Bright and Collin Johns (JOOLA Scorpeus Pro V), Federico Staksrud and Tyson McGuffin (JOOLA Kosmos Pro V).
Standard (5.5")
The balance point. Long enough for a two-handed backhand for most hands, short enough to keep a full-size face. This is where most players should start, and most never need to leave.
Familiar. If you've played with a few paddles, this is probably what your hand expects.
The All-Courter, The Strategist and The Power Hitter. If you're unsure, start here.
Ben Johns (JOOLA Perseus Pro V), Kate Fahey and Lea Jansen (JOOLA Agassi Pro V).
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V · Ben Johns 14mm
- CRBN 1X 14mm
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond 14mm
- Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Invikta
- Thrive Surge
See all 22 paddles
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V · Ben Johns 16mm
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV · Ben Johns 16mm
- JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 14mm
- JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16mm
- JOOLA Hyperion Pro IV 16mm
- JOOLA Andre Agassi Pro V 14mm
- JOOLA Steffi Graf Pro V 16mm
- CRBN 3X 16mm
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 14mm
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond 16mm
- Six Zero Ruby
- Thrive Azul
- Mark Two
- Mark TwoR2
- Neonic Flow
- Neonic Flare Titanium
Long (5.75" to 6")
Room for both hands with no crowding, and the longest lever for drives and serves. The face is a little smaller, so clean contact matters more. Tennis players usually feel at home right away.
Like a racquet. More swing, more reach, a little less quickness up close.
The Power Hitter and any player — especially a tennis crossover — whose two-handed backhand is a weapon.
So which handle is yours?
Handle length is the fourth factor.
Shape, core thickness and face material came first. Grip size and weight are next in the Daily Drop series.
Want a shortcut? Sona's free PaddleMatch™ quiz looks at all six factors together and suggests one paddle for how you play.
Get fit. Take the PaddleMatch™ quiz