How to Add an Overgrip to Your Pickleball Paddle

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How to Add an Overgrip to Your Pickleball Paddle

If you've been playing pickleball for a while, you know how important grip can be—especially during long matches or in warmer weather. Adding an overgrip to your paddle is a simple and affordable way to improve comfort, absorb sweat, and give you better control on the court.

In this quick video, I walk you through exactly how to install an overgrip on your pickleball paddle. Whether you're new to using overgrips or just need a refresher, this step-by-step guide will have you wrapping like a pro in no time.

Check out the video below and let me know in the comments what your favorite overgrip brand is or if you have any tips of your own!

Watch the tutorial:

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The Gamma Pickleball overgrip is my go to grip right now.

Great Rally by Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson - Womens Championship at the Veolia North Carolina Open

 

Budget Pickleball Paddles with Power

 If you're in the market for budget-friendly pickleball paddles that deliver impressive power, the following options stand out based on their features, performance, and tested speed measurements.

Vatic Pro Saga V7 SH – 56.6 MPH

The Saga V7 SH is designed for players seeking a balance between power and control. Its elongated shape and 16mm thickness provide a larger sweet spot, enhancing shot precision. The paddle's carbon fiber surface ensures durability and consistent performance, making it a solid choice for aggressive players aiming for powerful drives.

Vatic Pro Saga Flash SH – 56.8 MPH

The Saga Flash SH offers a hybrid shape with a 16mm core, catering to players who prioritize control without sacrificing power. Its textured carbon fiber surface enhances spin potential, while the head-heavy design contributes to stability during aggressive shots. This paddle is ideal for those who engage in fast-paced exchanges at the net.

11SIX24 Hurache-X Power – 56.3 MPH

The Hurache-X Power is engineered for players seeking exceptional power. Its advanced construction features a floating polypropylene honeycomb core surrounded by closed-cell EVA foam, creating a responsive feel and expanded sweet spot. The reinforced edge technology enhances stability, allowing for confident, aggressive play.

11SIX24 Vapor Power – 56.0 MPH

The Vapor Power paddle combines a 16mm core with a carbon fiber surface, offering a blend of power and control. Its design caters to players who desire a responsive paddle capable of delivering forceful shots without compromising touch and finesse.

When selecting a paddle, consider factors such as weight, grip size, and balance to ensure it complements your playing style. Testing different paddles can provide valuable insights into which model best enhances your performance on the court.

Note: All power and speed test data referenced in this post come from Pickleball Effect’s online database. For more pickleball news, reviews, products, and insights, be sure to visit PickleballEffect.com.

Vatic Pro Prism Flash 14 mm in Action

 Quick ralley/round in a pickleball using the Vatic Pro Prism Flash 14 mm

 Im the one in the light blue tshirt close to the camera. 

"Clutch Round Save with the Vatic Pro Prism Bloom – Left My Teammate Stunned!"

Having a great time with friends at Club Pickleball in Meriden, CT, where I left my teammate stunned with this save!

Right now, my go-to paddle is the Prism Bloom by Vatic Pro.

Check out the clip below

Left My Teammate Stunned with Save!

How to Use Scoreholio for Your Pickleball Game with Friends

 One way I’ve been getting our local circle of 8-12 friends excited about pickleball—though it’s already exciting enough—is by tracking each player’s points per game using a round-robin format.

At first, I considered using pen and paper, but that quickly proved inefficient. Knowing from my experience playing cornhole that Scoreholio is a great tool for tracking stats, I decided it was the way to go.  Since we have 8 to 10 players and two courts, I wanted to ensure that everyone rotates partners and teams after each round.

If you’re looking for a simple leaderboard to track wins and total points after 8 games, follow these instructions below.

 

To ensure Scoreholio assigns all available courts and keeps people playing during a Round Robin Switcholio, follow these steps:

 

 1. Check Your Court Assignments

• Go to Tournament Settings > Court Assignments
• Ensure all courts are enabled for play.
• Set a proper Max Courts value to match your available courts.

2. Adjust Game Flow Settings

• Navigate to Settings > Game Flow
• Enable "Auto Start Next Round" to minimize downtime.
• Disable "Hold Off on Starting Games Until All Are Ready" (if enabled) to let games start as soon as courts are available.

3. Optimize Switcholio Team Generation

• In Settings > Game Format > Switcholio, choose:
  • Balanced or Random team generation (avoiding skill-based delays if ranking isn’t available).
  • Maximize Players Per Round to prioritize getting as many people playing as possible.

4. Ensure a Playable Number of Players

• Switcholio works best with numbers that allow full court usage (multiples of 4).
• If you have an odd number of players, consider adding a "ghost" player to keep matchups even.

5. Check Your Round Count

• Set the appropriate number of rounds so that players rotate through enough matches.
• If players are sitting too often, increase the number of rounds or courts to improve participation.

6. Manually Assign Courts (if needed)

• If courts remain unassigned, manually tap an unassigned match and force-assign it to an open court.

 Let me know if you have found this article helpful. 

Top Indoor Pickleball Spots to Check Out in Connecticut!

Since I got hooked on pickleball, I've been searching for places to play. Coming from a cornhole background, I knew where to play in Connecticut, but I wasn’t as familiar with pickleball. So, I started searching online and on Facebook to find places to play, even if I didn’t have a group to play with right away.

Connecticut offers several indoor pickleball facilities where you can enjoy the sport year-round.  If you know of any other places, feel free to comment below with your recommendations! 

Here are some options to consider:

Shoreline Pickleball

Milford, CT

Milford's first indoor pickleball facility featuring 5 state-of-the-art courts with Pro-Cushion Surfacing, climate-controlled environment, and amenities like locker rooms and a lounge. 

shorelinepickleball.com

 

Pickleville CT

New Haven, CT

A state-of-the-art facility with 3 Pro-Cushion courts, offering court reservations, lessons, and a vibrant pickleball community. 

picklevillect.com

 

Camp Pickleball

Plainville, CT

Located in the Greater Hartford area, this facility offers 10 outdoor courts and 23,400 sq ft of indoor space for year-round play. 

camppickleballct.com

 

Pickleball America

Stamford, CT

One of the largest indoor venues in the US, providing multiple courts, private lessons, events, and programs for all skill levels. 

pickleballamerica.us

 

Club Pickleball

Meriden, CT

Central Connecticut's dedicated pickleball destination with indoor courts, leagues, lessons, and flexible booking options. 

clubpickleballct.com

 

Pickle Spot

Orange, CT

An indoor facility with 5 full-size, cushioned courts, offering open play, lessons, and special events. 

picklespot.club

 

Oxford Pickleball

Oxford, CT

Featuring 4 temperature-controlled indoor courts with a cushioned surface for optimal playability. 

oxfordpickleball.com

 

NewGen Pickleball

Newington, CT

Premium indoor courts with 'Cushion Extreme' surface and climate control, offering a top-notch playing experience. 

newgenpickleball.com

Please note that operating hours and availability may vary, so it's advisable to contact the facilities directly or visit their websites for the most current information.

 

Vatic Pro Saga Flash or Honolulu J2k?

 Both the Vatic Pro Saga Flash and the Honolulu J2K are excellent pickleball paddles, and choosing between the two depends on your specific preferences, especially for control, power, and overall feel. Here’s a breakdown of each paddle to help you decide:

Vatic Pro Saga Flash

• Price: Generally around $150 (get a discount at checkout by using code jonathantorres).
• Core: Composite core.
• Face: Composite surface with Carbon Fiber
  
• Weight: Around 7.6–8.0 oz (medium weight).
• Balance: A solid, well-balanced feel that can be ideal for players who need a mixture of power and control.
• Control and Power: Offers a good balance between control and power, with an emphasis on precision shots and touch while still giving you enough pop on your smashes.
• Spin: The face allows for more spin potential, which is great for players who like to generate spin on serves and returns.
• Comfort: The ergonomic handle and mid-weight design make it comfortable for long games, providing a good blend of maneuverability and stability.

 

   Honolulu J2K

• Price: Typically around $140–$170.
• Core: Polymer core.
• Face: Dupont Kevlar
• Weight: 7.5–8.2 oz (medium weight).
• Balance: Generally well-balanced with a focus on power and precision.
• Control and Power: Known for providing a great deal of power, especially on smashes and fast volleys. However, it still has good control for softer touch shots due to its polymer core and kevlar face.
• Spin: The kevlar face provides great spin, especially for slicing and generating spin on serves.
• Comfort: This paddle is also designed with comfort in mind, with a grip that’s easy to hold for extended periods.
  

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Comparing the Two:

• Control vs. Power:

  • Vatic Pro Saga Flash might have the edge in terms of control, especially if you like a more touch-oriented game with a good balance of power.
  • Honolulu J2K leans more towards power, so if you're an aggressive player who likes to hit hard and fast, this might be the better choice.

• Spin:

  • Both paddles offer solid spin potential, but the graphite carbon fiber face of the Vatic Pro Saga Flash can be more forgiving when it comes to precise spin control, especially for those who like to dial in their serve.
  • Kevlar on the Honolulu J2K is also great for spin, but if you prefer a softer touch when spinning the ball, the Vatic Pro might feel more comfortable.

• Weight and Feel:

  • Both paddles fall within a similar weight range, so you’ll likely experience comparable maneuverability. The Vatic Pro Saga Flash may feel a bit more solid in your hand if you prefer a slightly more stable and balanced design.
  • The Honolulu J2K is a great all-around paddle, but if you prefer a more ergonomic design with a focus on both control and power, the Vatic might give you that extra bit of power during hard swings and finesse during the slow dinks.

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Conclusion:

• If you prefer a more control-focused paddle with excellent touch and the ability to generate spin without sacrificing too much power, the Vatic Pro Saga Flash would be a great choice.
• If you want a paddle that emphasizes power with solid spin and feels great for aggressive play, the Honolulu J2K would be a better fit.

Ultimately, it depends on what you're looking for in terms of playing style. Do you tend to focus more on finesse and control, or do you like to go for strong, aggressive shots?

To conclude, while I don’t have personal experience with the Honolulu J2K, I am familiar with the Saga Flash 16mm. Based on numerous online reviews, the J2K has received a lot of praise for its excellent balance of power, control, and sweet spot—thanks to its borderline shape approaching a wide body design. Overall, I’d recommend either paddle, as both offer great value for the price. I was initially torn between the two, but ultimately chose the Saga Flash 16mm based on its design, my familiarity with the brand, and the fact that I already own the Prism Flash 14mm.