{"id":964,"date":"2026-03-22T11:50:30","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T02:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/news\/full-foam-paddle-power\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T21:05:59","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T12:05:59","slug":"full-foam-paddle-power","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/news\/full-foam-paddle-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting maximum power out of a full-foam paddle"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is a full-foam paddle?<\/h2>\n

\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u306e\u30d1\u30c9\u30eb\u5e02\u5834\u306b\u300c\u30d5\u30eb\u30d5\u30a9\u30fc\u30e0\u30b3\u30a2\u300d\u3068\u3044\u3046\u65b0\u6f6e\u6d41\u304c\u3042\u308b\u3002\u5f93\u6765\u306e\u30d1\u30c9\u30eb\u306f\u5185\u90e8\u306b\u30dd\u30ea\u30de\u30fc\u88fd\u306e\u30cf\u30cb\u30ab\u30e0\uff08\u8702\u306e\u5de3\uff09\u69cb\u9020\u3092\u63a1\u7528\u3057\u3066\u3044\u305f\u304c\u3001\u30d5\u30eb\u30d5\u30a9\u30fc\u30e0\u30d1\u30c9\u30eb\u306f\u305d\u306e\u540d\u306e\u901a\u308a\u3001\u30b3\u30a2\u5168\u4f53\u3092\u767a\u6ce1\u7d20\u6750\uff08\u30d5\u30a9\u30fc\u30e0\uff09\u3067\u5145\u586b\u3057\u305f\u8a2d\u8a08\u3060\u3002<\/p>\n

\u4e00\u898b\u30b7\u30f3\u30d7\u30eb\u306a\u5909\u66f4\u306b\u601d\u3048\u308b\u304c\u3001\u6253\u611f\u30fb\u30d1\u30ef\u30fc\u30fb\u30b9\u30a4\u30fc\u30c8\u30b9\u30dd\u30c3\u30c8\u306e\u5e83\u3055\u306a\u3069\u3001\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u4f53\u9a13\u306b\u5927\u304d\u306a\u5f71\u97ff\u3092\u4e0e\u3048\u308b\u3002\u30d1\u30c9\u30eb\u306e\u30b3\u30a2\u7d20\u6750\u304c\u30b7\u30e7\u30c3\u30c8\u306b\u3069\u3046\u5f71\u97ff\u3059\u308b\u304b\u3092\u57fa\u790e\u304b\u3089\u7406\u89e3\u3057\u305f\u3044\u65b9\u306f\u3001A Thorough Comparison of Pickleball Paddle Core Materials | The Differences Between Polymer, Nomex and Aluminum<\/a>do read it together as well.<\/p>\n

Why does a foam core produce power?<\/h2>\n

Because a honeycomb core is hollow inside, it absorbs a certain amount of energy when the ball hits. In the case of a foam core, dense material is packed in uniformly, so there's less energy loss at impact and more force is transmitted to the ball\u2014that's the mechanism.<\/p>\n

To summarize the concrete merits, it's as follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Features<\/th>\nHoneycomb core<\/th>\nFull-foam core<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Power<\/td>\nModerate<\/td>\nHigh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sweet spot<\/td>\nGeneral<\/td>\nWider<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ball feel<\/td>\nSofter<\/td>\nHas a springy feel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Control<\/td>\nHigh<\/td>\nSlightly lower<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vibration absorption<\/td>\nExcellent<\/td>\nDepends on the model<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Because the characteristics also change with the foam's density and type, even the same \"full foam\" strongly reflects each brand's design philosophy.<\/p>\n

Full-foam paddle models to watch<\/h2>\n

\u30d5\u30eb\u30d5\u30a9\u30fc\u30e0\u30b3\u30a2\u3092\u63a1\u7528\u3057\u305f\u30e2\u30c7\u30eb\u306f\u3001\u6d77\u5916\u5e02\u5834\u3067\u9078\u629e\u80a2\u304c\u5897\u3048\u3066\u3044\u308b\u6bb5\u968e\u3060\u3002\u4ee3\u8868\u7684\u306a\u30ab\u30c6\u30b4\u30ea\u30fc\u3092\u62bc\u3055\u3048\u3066\u304a\u3053\u3046\u3002<\/p>\n

For entry to intermediate<\/strong>
\nHybrid types that partially adopt foam material make it easy to strike a balance of power and control, and are easy to get used to even for players touching a full-foam type for the first time. The price range is also relatively affordable.<\/p>\n

For advanced and competition<\/strong>
\nA pure full-foam type, with the entire core filled with high-density foam, delivers overwhelming power on drive-type shots when used by players with fast swing speed. However, it's a somewhat poor fit for a soft game or a style that makes heavy use ofdink<\/a>.<\/p>\n

JOOLA andSelkirk<\/a>and other major brands also have models incorporating their own foam technology in their lineups, andJOOLA vs. CRBN Paddle Comparison | Which One Suits You?<\/a>explains in detail the differences in each brand's design philosophy too.<\/p>\n

Downsides and cautions of full-foam paddles<\/h2>\n

A design specialized for power naturally has trade-offs.<\/p>\n

Reduced control<\/strong>
\nWhile the sweet spot is wide, the ball flies more strongly, so there are cases where control of delicate dinks and drop shots becomes harder. Especially for players who value precision around the NVZ (kitchen), it will take time to get used to.<\/p>\n

Weight balance<\/strong>
\nThe higher the foam material's density, the heavier it tends to be, and the burden on the arm and elbow can increase during long play.Heavy Paddle vs. Light Paddle | How Weight Affects Your Hitting Style Explained<\/a>Referencing it, it's important to choose against your own play style and physical condition.<\/p>\n

Checking USA Pickleball approval status<\/strong>
\nAmong full-foam paddles, there are also models that haven't passed inspection. If you have official tournaments in view, be sure to check the USAP (USA Pickleball) approval list before buying. In Japanese tournaments too, cases requiring the use of approved paddles compliant with international standards are increasing.<\/p>\n

Selection guidelines for Japanese players<\/h2>\n

In Japan, the distribution of full-foam paddles is still limited, and obtaining them via personal import or specialty stores is mainstream. Let's lay out the points for choosing.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Grasp your own play style<\/strong>: It's a good fit if you prefer a power game centered on drives and smashes. If your main is a control game centered on dinks and drops, consider carefully.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Check the weight range<\/strong>: Models adopting a foam core often concentrate in the 7.5-8.5 oz range. Compare it with the weight of the paddle you normally use.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Balance with grip size<\/strong>: Because foam-core paddles have strong rebound at impact, if the grip is too thin, the burden on the wrist increases. Do consider using appropriate grip tape as a set.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    Look for an environment where you can test-hit<\/strong>\uff1a\u3067\u304d\u308c\u3070\u8cfc\u5165\u524d\u306b\u5b9f\u969b\u306e\u30b3\u30fc\u30c8\u3067\u8a66\u6253\u3059\u308b\u306e\u304c\u7406\u60f3\u3060\u3002\u6700\u8fd1\u306f\u6771\u4eac\u30fb\u5927\u962a\u306e\u4e00\u90e8\u30b9\u30dd\u30fc\u30c4\u30b7\u30e7\u30c3\u30d7\u3067\u30c7\u30e2\u30d1\u30c9\u30eb\u3092\u8cb8\u3057\u51fa\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3068\u3053\u308d\u3082\u3042\u308b\u3002<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u30d5\u30eb\u30d5\u30a9\u30fc\u30e0\u30c6\u30af\u30ce\u30ed\u30b8\u30fc\u306f\u9032\u5316\u304c\u7d9a\u3044\u3066\u304a\u308a\u3001\u65b0\u3057\u3044\u30e2\u30c7\u30eb\u304c\u767b\u5834\u3059\u308b\u3053\u3068\u304c\u4e88\u60f3\u3055\u308c\u308b\u3002\u300c\u3082\u3063\u3068\u98db\u3076\u30d1\u30c9\u30eb\u3092\u4f7f\u3044\u305f\u3044\u300d\u3068\u3044\u3046\u65b9\u306f\u3001\u305c\u3072\u3053\u306e\u30ab\u30c6\u30b4\u30ea\u30fc\u306b\u6ce8\u76ee\u3057\u3066\u304a\u304d\u305f\u3044\u3002<\/p>\n

    Source:The Dink Pickleball<\/a><\/p>\n

    FAQ<\/h2>\n

    Q1: Are full-foam paddles suitable for beginners too?<\/h3>\n

    A1: Basically, they're for intermediate-to-advanced players who prefer a power game. For beginners, we recommend first solidifying the basics with an easy-to-control polymer honeycomb core paddle. Once your shots have stabilized to some degree, considering a move to a full-foam model is a natural step.<\/p>\n

    Q2: Can full-foam paddles be used in official tournaments?<\/h3>\n

    A2: It depends on the model. Models listed on USA Pickleball's (USAP) approval list can be used in official tournaments, but unapproved models can't be used in competition. Check the approval status on USAP's official site before buying.<\/p>\n

    Q3: Does switching to a full-foam paddle reduce dink precision?<\/h3>\n

    A3: Until you get used to it, the ball flies more, so there may be cases where you tend to overshoot on short-distance dink shots. You need to secure practice time to get used to the material's rebound while adjusting the force of your swing. Many players adapt with one to two weeks of practice.<\/p>\n

    Reference Links<\/h3>\n