Professional pickleball is in the midst of a major shakeup, with top players making high-profile paddle changes. Anna Leigh Waters moved from Paddletek to Franklin, while Gabe Tardio recently switched from Pikkl to Facolos—just two examples of how rapidly the pro landscape is evolving.

During the Carvana PPA Masters, broadcasters asked Ben Johns whether he had any advice for amateur players adjusting to a new paddle. With so many pros changing equipment at the highest level, what guidance do elite athletes offer to amateurs trying to adapt and improve after making a switch?

“First and foremost, like anything in pickleball, it’s all about repetition and getting a lot of reps because your body just naturally adjusts a lot better than your mind does,” explained Johns. “It’s about putting in the muscle memory, and getting used to it is mostly about repetition.”

First, it’s all about playing often with your new paddle so you can get used to the differences and naturally adjust.

“Outside of that, I’d say when things are constructed a little bit differently, sometimes you do need to make mechanical changes based on the paddle switch. Think of stuff in particular that feels weird or isn’t working quite as well, you can usually think through why this might be. Whether it’s a balance issue, a different head shape, different dimensions overall, usually you can pin it down to something like that, so sometimes you have to change something mechanically for you,” noted Johns. “Analyze what’s working and what’s not working, think through it, and know what kind of adjustments you might need to make based on that.”

During an appearance on the In Search of Excellence podcast, Waters shared a few tips for players looking to find their perfect paddle, too.

Waters emphasized choosing a paddle that complements your strengths. For instance, power players like her should lean toward a power paddle, while players who rely on spin should opt for a paddle that offers more finesse and touch.

“Whatever your strength is, that’s the paddle you should pick. For me, my paddle is a little bit on the poppier side, so I’ll take less spin for a little bit more power because that’s my game. If you think you’re more of a finesse, spinny player, then pick a paddle that really enhances that. Or if you’re a banger and you like to hit hard, pick a paddle that enhances that,” she mentioned. “Some people think that whatever their weakness is, they need more of that. But if you’re really good at something, you should enhance it.”

If you’re not quite sure what your style is yet, that understanding will come with time and reps.

“If you’re a beginner, you just have to test things out,” indicated Waters. “See what feels best for you.”

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