The Alpha really is a great paddle. I've had two days of competitive playing and it took me almost no time to get used to it. It handles excellent. It dinks well, plays down the line well, serves to where you want, AND is very powerful too. That's the tough part getting both. You will not be disappointed. Oh, it scoops up those ones at your feet with zero bounce better than any paddle I've ever played with. Either that, or I got really good overnight. Not.