For years, the rule was simple: thinner core = more power, thicker core = more control. Players looking for a more powerful paddle would logically gravitate to a thinner core. Back in 2022, the most powerful paddles were the 10MM Prokennex Black Ace, and the 13mm Selkirk 002. Control-oriented paddles of this era fell in the range of 16-20mm thicknesses.
But with the rise of new paddle technology, that rule is obsolete.
Introducing “Gen 3 and Gen 4” technology
The shift began with the widespread adoption of thermoforming—a rigorous heat-pressing process that fuses the core, face, and foam-injected perimeter into a single, cohesive unit.
In the pre-thermoforming era, thin paddles delivered power through a rapid, uncontrolled rebound—like hitting the ball off asphalt. While explosive, this power was volatile, leading to the historical struggle for control seen in powerful, but difficult to manage, paddles like the 10MM Black Ace.
Engineered Energy: The Trampoline Principle
The modern standard for elite power relies on engineered energy return, a concept we define as the Trampoline Principle.
RPM’s cores are not built to simply deflect the ball; they are built to capture and redistribute force for maximum propulsion.
Let’s use an analogy to explain this effect in terms of you, a person, jumping off of an asphalt surface, versus a trampoline.
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Old Power (Asphalt): If a player jumps on rigid ground (asphalt), the energy return is minimal, resulting in a low jump.
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New Power (Trampoline): If a player jumps on an advanced tension surface (trampoline), the surface yields, maximizing dwell time, and then propels the player further into the air.
The RPM core is strategically designed to mimic this principle. The softness of the EVA foam ring that encompasses the top ⅔ of the paddle, combined with the rigidity of the thermoformed structure, maximizes dwell time. This controlled compression captures the ball longer, generating explosive, controlled power on drives and speed-ups, all without sacrificing the stability required for resets and dinks.
Objective Proof: The PBCoR Performance Rating
In high-stakes competition, objective data is everything. The standard metric for a paddle's power and legality is the PBCoR rating (Paddle/Ball Coefficient of Restitution). This rating is correlated with a paddle's maximum power output.
The decisive data point: The RPMPB 16MM Elongated paddle (USAP PBCoR .44) boasts a higher official PBCoR rating than the 14MM Elongated (USAP PBCoR .43).
This is more than a technical detail; it is the definitive proof that the RPMPB 16MM core is the new standard for controlled, high-output power. Equip the right technology and redefine your aggressive game.
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