Frequency: A Window into Paddle Power and Performance

Very few metrics can tell us as much about a pickleball paddle as frequency. A paddles natural frequency can tell us about it probable power, dwell time of the ball, the distribution of its mass, and the way it will feel. 

The natural frequency of pickleball paddles plays a crucial role in their performance. This relationship is fundamental to understanding paddle dynamics and power generation in pickleball and is far more relevant than any discussion of elasticity or coefficient of restitution.

The natural frequency of a pickleball paddle is directly related to its stiffness and mass. In the case of our paddles and most others on the market the mass part is by far the more significant here. If we know a paddles natural frequency we can directly calculate estimated ball dwell time on the paddle face. We can also find the paddle stiffness.

Paddles with lower frequencies will produce longer dwell times. This can be through stiffness or through mass distribution. The longer the ball dwells on the paddle face the greater the impulse that can be put into it. Thus the ball will fly faster.

In theory and based on current ball mechanics, the paddle's natural frequency should match the excitation frequency of the ball impact. For pickleball, this is around 125 Hz, corresponding to a contact time of about 4 milliseconds. In practice the ball is softer so it is desirable to have a lower paddle frequency than that of the ball. This is manufacturing preference and one could argue that matching the ball frequency is physically ideal.

In any case it's not hard to find the natural frequency of a paddle experimentally. We've done some testing and found that: 

Alpha: 93 Hz

Omega: 140 Hz

Xspack: 180 Hz

In essence the alpha has a frequency of 93 Hz, lower than 125 Hz and it plays in line with what we would expect. This is also true of the Omega which is more poppy. It is built in line with this in mind in terms of its mass distribution and its frequency is as expected. 

It essence coefficient of restitution is chasing a ghost of elasticity when it's very obvious that the effect we are seeing is a product of mass distribution. All paddles considered to be particularly powerful have significantly different mass distribution than standard pickleball paddles. They do not seem to have significantly different elasticity.

If coefficient of restitution is used as a material control with a true mind towards elasticity it must be done carefully as it may also end up wrongly punishing paddles that are now lower frequency, have longer dwell time, and are imparting more force onto the ball. 

We theorize that the Vulcan ball which was never popular and was never made with much engineering thought in mind as far as I can understand is no longer capable of withstanding the forces that are being put into it. The balls mass or elasticity will need to be altered to correct it for play if we do not want to essentially ban paddles that are energetically efficient. We will also note that lower frequency paddles will tend to be more comfortable and produce less vibration and force onto a player's arm. This can be significant for players with joint issues or for overall comfort and sustainability of play. 

In our paddles measurable frequency there is a simple truth and provable fact. We can assert very firmly that our paddles dwell time is longer than conventional paddles. This accounts for feel, spin, and power. All of this without significant changes in elasticity.

This could be measured in other paddles easily and we are sure if it were pursued would be a very profitable course rather than going down the blind alley of chasing elasticity.