What You'll Need
- Lead tape (1/4 inch width is standard for pickleball)
- Scissors or razor blade
- Kitchen scale (optional but helpful)
- Rubbing alcohol and cloth for surface prep
Lead tape is available at sporting goods stores, golf shops, and online. A single roll costs $5-15 and will last through many experiments. Tennis or golf lead tape works fine for pickleball.
Step 1: Weigh Your Paddle (Optional)
Before adding tape, weigh your paddle on a kitchen scale. This gives you a baseline. Most paddles weigh 7.5-8.5 ounces. You'll add 2-10 grams depending on your goals, which translates to roughly 0.1-0.35 ounces.
If you don't have a scale, you can still add tape by feel and adjust based on how the paddle plays.
Step 2: Clean the Surface
Wipe the areas where you'll apply tape with rubbing alcohol. This removes oils and residue so the tape adheres properly. Let the surface dry completely before applying tape.
Lead tape sticks best to smooth surfaces. On paddles with textured edge guards, you may need to apply tape to the face near the edge rather than the guard itself.
Step 3: Choose Your Placement
Where you put the tape determines what changes:
3 and 9 O'Clock (Side Weighting)
Adding tape on both sides of the paddle, roughly at the widest point, increases stability. The paddle twists less on off-center hits. This is the most common configuration and a good starting point for most players.
Start with 2-3 inches of tape on each side (roughly 2 grams per side). Apply symmetrically so the paddle stays balanced.
12 O'Clock (Top Weighting)
Tape at the top of the paddle adds power to your swings. The extra head weight creates more momentum through contact. However, this makes the paddle more head-heavy and can slow your hand speed at the kitchen.
Use sparingly. Even 2-3 grams at 12 o'clock noticeably changes the swing feel.
Throat Area (Handle Weighting)
Adding weight near the handle makes the paddle feel lighter and faster to swing, even though total weight increases. This counterbalances head weight for players who find their paddle too head-heavy.
Step 4: Apply the Tape
Cut your tape strips to the desired length. Peel the backing and press firmly onto the clean surface. Run your finger along the tape to ensure full adhesion and remove air bubbles.
For edge application, wrap the tape from the face over the edge guard for the most secure attachment. For face application, place tape as close to the edge as possible without covering the playing surface.
Step 5: Test and Adjust
Hit with your modified paddle before committing to more tape. The difference should be noticeable immediately. Does it feel more stable? Too heavy? Not different enough?
Lead tape can be removed and repositioned. Peel it off slowly to avoid damaging any graphics or coatings. You might go through several configurations before finding what works.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Adding too much at once: Start with 4-6 grams total and work up. Jumping to 10+ grams often makes paddles feel sluggish.
- Asymmetric placement: Uneven weight distribution affects swing mechanics. Always balance left and right sides.
- Skipping the clean: Tape applied to dirty surfaces peels off during play. Take time to prep.
- Covering too much face: Tape on the playing surface changes ball contact. Keep tape on edges or just below the edge.
What to Expect
With a good lead tape setup, you should feel more stability on off-center hits and slightly more power on drives. The paddle will feel different, heavier but also more solid through contact.
Give yourself a few sessions to adapt before judging the results. Your swing timing adjusts to the new weight distribution over time.
If you don't like the changes, just peel off the tape and try again. Experimentation is the whole point.