This article does a nice job of interrogating the clamp issue on PBCOR. technicalpickleball.net/clam…

Why do UPA-A certified paddles have more grit? It’s because UPA-A measures spin, not just the roughness of a paddle. It’s the same reason why we measure paddles after break-in and not just new. Because we measure what matters. 👇🏼 Learn more 👇🏼 upaa.unitedpickleball.com/bl…

UPA-A has a new rulebook which goes into effect tomorrow for the start of the 2026 @MajorLeaguePB season opener in Dallas. We have created a graphic guide to understand the differences between the old rules and the new. Share away. upaa.unitedpickleball.com/up…

"Every paddle changes after play" Some get more powerful, some get less. But if you are only measuring paddles when new, you're not measuring what matters. It's why UPA-A did the research and implemented an Accelerated Break-In test into certification. upaa.unitedpickleball.com/bl…

We have tested almost 500 paddles for certification. There is one thing we see in common. upaa.unitedpickleball.com/bl… @PPAtour @MajorLeaguePB

If you are interested in pickleball paddle regulations, we are pulling back the curtain and providing some insight into what we have learned and how we apply those insights into governing the sport. Our first look is at the 2100 RPM limit on spin. upaa.unitedpickleball.com/bl…

If you have questions about the new UPA-A Rulebook, we have visualized the changes. Would love to hear your thoughts on what you think we got right and what could still use improving. upaa.unitedpickleball.com/up…

KEY LEADERSHIP HIRES As part of this next phase of development, UPA-A is pleased to announce the hiring of veteran officials Onisha C. Smith and Howard Hepworth. Smith’s first initiative in her new role is leading the development of a comprehensive rulebook for organized amateur and professional pickleball, both domestically and internationally. Smith began officiating pickleball in February 2022 and quickly earned recognition for her strong court presence, sound judgment, and consistent, equitable rule enforcement. After gaining experience across multiple organizations and leagues, Smith chose to commit her expertise to the PPA and was selected to work for MLP in 2023. She has since officiated at the sport’s highest levels across both tours. With a legal background and extensive on-court officiating experience, Smith brings a rare and valuable perspective to governance in pickleball. She is a passionate advocate for fair play and player-centered officiating, guided by her philosophy: “A good referee knows the rules, but a great referee knows the players.” Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Media Publishing from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. In his new role, Howard Hepworth will lead the design, implementation, and oversight of the UPA-A Referee Program, establishing professional-level training and performance standards that will elevate the player experience at all UPA-A sanctioned events. “This is a big step toward building the infrastructure pickleball needs as it grows, especially at the professional level,” said Aspes. “Howard is recognized as one of the top pickleball referees, and we are thrilled to have his experience and expertise guiding our program.” Hepworth has been a pickleball referee for more than 10 years, officiating thousands of matches across PPA, MLP, and other organizations, including numerous championship matches. He has officiated throughout the United States as well as in China, Japan, Vietnam, and Malaysia, and has served as a full-time professional referee since March 2024. Prior to full-time officiating, Hepworth spent 22 years with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in sales and 10 years in flight operations with a regional airline, working in training, supervision, and continuous improvement roles. He is based in St. George, Utah, and enjoys farming, golfing, and fishing in his time at home. As UPA-A continues building a comprehensive ecosystem to promote fairness and integrity in professional and competitive pickleball, these developments represent an important step in aligning professional and competitive play under a unified standard through consistent rules, officiating, and sanctioning.

We have been informed by @PPAtour that financial differences have been rectified and Proton is back in play. Proton was never removed from UPA-A eligibility and continues to be in good standing and on the Approved Paddle List.

State of the Union: Paddles, Certification & Fairness in Pickleball upaa.unitedpickleball.com/bl… @PPAtour @MajorLeaguePB

Vietnam @ppatourasia takeaways. Vietnam ❤️s pickleball. Courts everywhere. Becoming a national sport. Players are improving, but the style is very different. Conditions were brutal in terms of humidity. Air was stagnant and thick. Air quality very poor (pic from hotel) 1/

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Good news if you are a fan of fair play and competition. Per @PPAtour "Based on player feedback to ensure a level playing field and in the spirit of fair competition, starting August 30, 2026, all competitors in the PPA Juniors and Senior Professional divisions will be required to use paddles on the UPA-A Approved Paddle list. The PPA Tour works tirelessly to ensure fair competition at our events, and taking this step was necessary to achieve that."

Proud to have our work showcased by @Pickleballtv showing the incredible work being done with certification and onsite testing of paddles. Huge thanks to our partners at Pickle Pro Labs and Automated Design Corp for dreaming up, designing, and manufacturing the Go/No-Go Machine. To think of how far we have come in less than 2 years is remarkable. @PPAtour @MajorLeaguePB youtu.be/geqb5v69Hec

News from @ppatourau regarding professional play adopting UPA-A standards and testing to ensure fairness and credibility in the game. ppatour.com.au/ppa-australia…

New guidance for ADF (Acceptable Deflection Force) for onsite testing at UPA events. upaa.unitedpickleball.com/up…

Working hard to keep pickleball Fun, Fair, and Competitive.