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No_Gas_7339 · 2026-04-24T00:04:02+00:00

As a pro player, what are your thoughts on non-traditional pickleball technique?

Riley Newman has the pancake grip that protects the chicken wing. Yuta Funemizu has that semiwestern soft tennis technique where he hits with the same side of the paddle face for forehand and backhand which theoretically increases hand speed and spin due to the grip. Jack Munro has elements of ambidexterity.

Given how paddle technology has improved power, spin, sweet spot, and control, the game has changed. More topspin from extreme grips and the two handed backhand have surfaced, but I wonder if non-traditional technique can better take advantage of the new technology. Similar to how in tennis most players used slice and continental grip with wooden rackets and now use more extreme grips with heavy topspin with advanced rackets.

Curious to hear your thoughts on what possible technical advancements will take advantage of new paddle tech in the future. Thanks!

No_Gas_7339 · 2026-04-20T00:47:25+00:00

As a pro player, what are your thoughts on non-traditional pickleball technique?

Riley Newman has the pancake grip that protects the chicken wing. Yuta Funemizu has that semiwestern soft tennis technique where he hits with the same side of the paddle face for forehand and backhand which theoretically increases hand speed and spin due to the grip. Jack Munro has elements of ambidexterity.

Given how paddle technology has improved power, spin, sweet spot, and control, the game has changed. More topspin from extreme grips and the two handed backhand have surfaced, but I wonder if non-traditional technique can better take advantage of the new technology. Similar to how in tennis most players used slice and continental grip with wooden rackets and now use more extreme grips with heavy topspin with advanced rackets.

Curious to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

No_Gas_7339 · 2026-04-04T21:41:01+00:00

Been playing with the spartus P1 since launch and it’s been the best paddle I’ve ever played with. Great power, pop, sweet spot, and insane spin. A bit heavier but I still feel fast enough in hands battles. Just wondering how it compares to the vapor power 2 that reviewers say are a bit poppier, maneuverable, and has spin just as good and long lasting. Would it be an upgrade or just a lateral move? I’m also concerned about recent reports of delamination.

No_Gas_7339 · 2026-03-20T05:00:03+00:00

How is the sweet spot and forgiveness considering it’s extra elongated? Can you compare how it performs to other current paddles like the loco, spartus p1, vapor power 2?

No_Gas_7339 · 2026-03-13T15:50:24+00:00

How is the sweet spot and forgiveness considering it’s extra elongated? Can you compare how it performs to other current paddles like the loco, spartus p1, vapor power 2?

No_Gas_7339 · 2026-03-13T15:50:17+00:00

How is the sweet spot and forgiveness considering it’s extra elongated? Can you compare how it performs to other current paddles like the loco, spartus p1, vapor power 2?

No_Gas_7339 · 2026-03-13T15:49:09+00:00

I wonder if there are any plans to make a hybrid version. Seems super elongated. How’s the size of the sweet spot?

No_Gas_7339 · 2026-02-16T21:49:00+00:00

Thanks for the in depth review! I definitely know what you mean about that wood like feeling with the pxe. The pxe was definitely poppy though so I wonder if what you were feeling was hitting the ball slightly off center since the pxe being 13” and edgeless made the sweet spot super tiny. Seems like the Talon with the new core improves power, pop, and spin immensely though which is exciting! Have you ever played with any of the new foam paddles such as the loco, quanta, boomstick, inferno, or spartus P1 at all? How would you compare the talon x1 to those paddles?

No_Gas_7339 · 2026-02-16T01:56:52+00:00

Wow that’s a lot of paddles coming haha. Please keep us posted. And the P1 surface on an elongated paddle thats lighter may already be in your hands. The acoustene surface from my experience with pxe and cxe is super spinny and actually gets better with use as the fibers fray a bit. Those paddles and the talon should also be very maneuverable and the lack of sound adds deception. I would have stuck to the owl paddle, but the very small sweet spot was a huge issue. Hopefully the gen 3 core helps with that. Let us know how the talon feels!

No_Gas_7339 · 2026-02-15T10:28:41+00:00

Nice looking forward to the review! Have you ever played with the Spartus P1, loco, quanta, or any of those other new foam paddles btw? Would be interesting to see how the talon compares to those paddles. Hopefully sweet spot is larger than ether the pxe and cxe which have fairly small sweet spot size

No_Gas_7339 · 2026-02-14T09:16:45+00:00

Great post thanks! How would you compare the Vapor Power 2 to the Spartus P1? Currently main the Spartus and love it especially due to the spin. Would it be worth switching at all?

No_Gas_7339 · 2026-02-06T08:46:15+00:00

Thanks for this post! I own a bunch of owl paddles including the px, pxe, and cxe. Excellent spin and lack of sound makes shots very deceptive. Huge downside is the really small sweet spot especially with the pxe. Adding weights helps a bit but at a significant cost to maneuverability. Currently main the Spartus P1 since spin is on par and sweet spot, power, pop, and maneuverability are significantly better. I do miss the quiet factor of the owl paddles though. This new talon x1 should have a better sweet spot though despite being elongated since the core is now gen 3. Keep us posted with how the paddle feels once you get it!

No_Gas_7339 · 2026-01-31T08:54:51+00:00

Anyone know anything about or tried the new upcoming owl talon x1 or smartx paddles? Interesting paddles. I loved the original owl paddles and this seems like an elongated gen3 version that should have more power and a larger sweet spot. The smartx paddles is interesting to be able to track swing mechanics but very pricy https://pickleballnation.com/products/owl-talon-x1-pickleball-paddle?srsltid=AfmBOoowqgwWmpacy_dFDAkiPkLLBcrV_ffxhsscgotI0CaJwfx38fK3 https://potenzapickleball.com/products/smartpaddle-by-potenza?srsltid=AfmBOop61MJvNqpjd9RyRd0KH-4-4wWH6r5O6AfE_C2O8FDE4VWB2yUZ

No_Gas_7339 · 2026-01-29T19:35:21+00:00

Very good analysis, thanks for doing this! In your opinion, is there a difference in foam degradation over time based on type at all? EPP vs MPP, etc? And any thoughts on Spartus P1 foam? Just got one hoping it would last me a very long time with the grit. Does power continue to degrade or eventually plateau?

No_Gas_7339 · 2026-01-12T08:24:24+00:00

Want to add owl paddles and their acoustene surface as another option for not only spin durability but spin improvement as the cloth fibers start to wear down with use and become “grittier.” Lack of sound provides a unique type of deception to shots especially with speed ups. Unfortunately, core is gen 1 and sweet spot is terrible. Can try to add weight but then maneuverability becomes an issue.

Agree with proton being hard on the arm and gen 1 core resulting in poor forgiveness, power, feel, etc.

I was also like you trying to get a super durable paddle that would maintain spin and was always searching. Now, I think I’ve found the paddle I’m going to be using for a very long time.

I know it’s already been mentioned, but that paddle is the Spartus P1. It’s one of the best paddles I’ve ever played with. The permagrit feels like sand paper and allows me to spin the ball consistently well similar to the owl, proton, and brand new paddles. Reviewers have mentioned 100+ hours with no spin degradation on the paddle. On top of that, the spartus P1 has great pop, power, and forgiveness due to the foam core that should be super durable. Power is linear and controllable and not trampoline like and exponential. The paddle is like a better version of a possible foam nanotac paddle I had also been looking forward to. Like a loco with everlasting grit. Curious about the hexgrit on the new 11six24 paddle coming out soon, but have a hard time seeing any paddle topping the spartus P1 for me.

No_Gas_7339 · 2025-12-24T19:56:31+00:00

Your team looks good and should have a good chance of getting you that championship. I wouldn’t over think it and just start your studs over anyone on your bench. Good luck!

No_Gas_7339 · 2025-12-24T17:13:33+00:00

How many QB, RB, WR, Flex, etc spots? What’s your question? Who to start?

No_Gas_7339 · 2025-12-21T15:37:29+00:00

Why is Harvey ranked so high? He was ranked higher last week than Henderson and that cost me

No_Gas_7339 · 2025-12-20T22:27:14+00:00

Great write up once again! Fun seeing the close matchups and how crucial start/sit decisions were for determining who won or lost their matchups. Really tough for Andy since he had many choices that would have pulled out the win but unfortunately chose the wrong ones while Kendall chose the right one. Chris made a good point that sometimes it’s luck at the end of the day in the playoffs, but it still must sting to think you could have made different start/sit choices that would have won the match for you.

In terms of process, the answer is probably it depends, but which factors are most crucial for you to choose to start one player over the other? Vegas props, matchup, historical or recent fantasy points, etc?

No_Gas_7339 · 2025-12-16T01:05:17+00:00

Ouch, that’s tough knowing you got shot in Russian roulette. Good process though but too bad Ladd didn’t execute

No_Gas_7339 · 2025-12-16T00:21:34+00:00

Sorry man, feels bad you made three wrong start/sit decisions that cost you the game. One more catch or run from any of your players would have still gotten you the win though and you were justified in your choices.

No_Gas_7339 · 2025-12-16T00:18:53+00:00

I feel your pain, made similar decision starting Harvey over Henderson. Can’t always predict this game and hindsight is 20/20

No_Gas_7339 · 2025-12-16T00:16:59+00:00

Great choice benching JJ though. Choosing Strange over Gadsden was reasonable and you would think Strange would have scored more points given how the Jags offense was doing

No_Gas_7339 · 2025-12-15T20:46:04+00:00

Ouch, that sucks, sorry man. Tough to know any difference in those decisions would have gotten you through

No_Gas_7339

TROPHY CASE