Equipment
Twist weight
How resistant a paddle is to twisting in your hand on off-center hits. Higher twist weight = more forgiving paddle.
Twist weight measures the paddle's moment of inertia around the longitudinal axis (handle to tip). Higher twist weight means the paddle resists rotating in your hand when you hit off-center.
Twist weight is one of the most underrated specs. A paddle with high twist weight feels stable and forgiving; a low-twist-weight paddle punishes off-center hits with weak, twisted shots.
Related terms
Sweet spot
The area of the paddle face where contact produces maximum power with minimum vibration. Bigger sweet spot = more forgiveness on off-center hits.
Swing weight
How heavy the paddle feels when swung — a function of mass distribution, not raw weight. High swing weight = more power, slower hands.