How I Setup My Paddle│Ben Johns 

Thanks Ben. I've been playing 10 months and am excited to try out your weights recommendation to improv control with more consistency. Thank you.

Awesome video!! So cool to see how the great Ben Johns prepares his paddles for play

I followed Ben’s set up with the exception of the undergrip. I used Bobolat undergrips. I used quarter inch lead tape and used 6 5 inch strips on each side of the throat. The circumference on the handle came in at 4.75 inches and the overall weight is 9.0 ounces. I just played with it and the change in the sweet spot and control was significant. Thanks Ben for sharing your paddle set up.

It's so nice to see how master Ben does it. In case anyone hasn't tried it, I use table tennis edge tape (12mm : 1/2 width) to cover the lead tape. It's cool to have Butterfly Tenergy tape on a pickleball paddle, and it gets lots of comments. It's also nicer than electrical tape.

That was darned well-done! IF you don't care for the extra grip showing above the trim tape, just cut the angle to match the finished wrap and tape OVER the end of the grip. The cut will be roughly four inches along the angle. SOME grips are already tapered (both ends) so this cut is made for you(provided the length is just right or you adjust the overlap a bit to finish in the right spot).

Thanks much for these tips. Following your instructions, I set my paddle up the exact way you did (except only using four strips of lead tape instead of six) and wow what a difference! Paddle was so much more stable, plowed through the ball for exceptional drives and somehow even made dinks and drops easier to execute. And a bonus, I didn't feel it slowed me down in speed up hand exchanges either. Love it!

Thank you for sharing. Always curious about this. Thanks for signing the water bottle for my husband in Denver. Jin

always wondered your lead setup. Thanks for sharing.

Appreciate the inside look for prepping your paddle. I've just recently purchased your new Joola paddle. Just a quick question on cleaning the paddle face please, I've seen many answers but would like to hear how you clean your paddle face please 🙏 - Thanks in advance!

Love this! I'm sooooo doing this to my paddles. THANKS B!

Loved that video, helpful insight and I just happened to have received my Ben Johns paddle yesterday. See ya on the courts.

Crazy to come back after the Perseus. Nuts to find out how much less lead tape is added with how far paddle technology has come

Love the video. Basically tells me to buy something brand new, decompose it, and add a whole myriad of things to it 🤣🤷‍♂️

Best Video Ever! - This really helped my game. I was surprised.

Based on the final weight of 9 ounces, the lead tape is the lighter version, 1 g per inch. At least that is what I have found, in case that is useful to anyone else. The balance point on the paddle is roughly 9 1/8 (Paddle handle hanging off a table and measuring from table to handle when at the tipping point). Let me know if I got anything wrong Ben. Also would love an official Joola Hyperion / Persious paddle setup!!! Thanks for sharing!

Excellent no BS video. Well done

Thank you very much, Ben. The placement of the lead tape was interesting. I've got 3 inches on each side. Thank you again. Didn't I see you a while ago taping your paddle handle in a cross-section style? Not really sure what it's called. Best of luck on your college tests.

I suggest hockey stick tape, kind of a very thin cloth tape, instead of electric tape. It's made to conform and to stay on even if dragged on the ground.

I did this and I love it . I'm weighing in at 9.2 ounces .

Great video! Tks! Question: I watched a video about having "soft hands" at the kitchen. It said one of the ways is to increase the grip size like you do. It helps prevent having to grip so tightly. Your thoughts Ben. Also, it seems to me that the set up you do in this video makes for a softer feel anyway due to the actual material you use. Would that be correct?

My mid weight paddle weighs 9.9 oz after doing this and I only put two layers of lead tape or 20 inches total of 2 gm/in or 1.4 oz lead tape. If you add all 30 inches you are adding over two ounces to your paddle making most paddles over 10 ounces. Quite heavy. I'm not even going to try it at this weight. I'll go with only one lead layer or .7 oz or 20 gm and try that. I also added extensions to the sides of the handle so it has a more oval shape. Doing the grip as in the video does feel great.

When we do lead tape on tennis racquets we try to maximize the whole sweet spot area so we try to distro the lead tape equally or more near the center of the sweetspot area... how u do it here, wouldnt that "hurt" the hits near the top of the paddle and enhance the hits near the middle-down? Or does that placement still enhance the top/tip hits as well? I do support the fact that we dont want to too much tape at the top, speed is critical, but just wondering the trade off here?

How many games/matches/tournaments do you play with one paddle? What do you do with them? Great video!

@Ben Johns do you also setup your new Joola paddle similarly?

Awesome look behind the scenes, thanks Ben! This is a ton of weight!! I tried it and it was not for me, its important to experiment to see what works for you.

Wow, didn't realise you customised your own paddle, but hey, you would know better exactly what works. Love your approachable style. What about a video on how you play your backhand. Seems to me, one of the things that make you a great player (apart from calmness under pressure) is that your backhand is significantly better than anyone else. You seem to play it later and with a stiffer arm than most, catching out opponents by waiting longer to play.

But where do I get those sleeves?

This is fantastic Ben - thanks for the insight :)

Why does the lead tape prevent mishits? Can you explain?

Exactly how far down does your hand go on the handle or in other words where is your pinkie

🤯 whaaaat?!! Brilliant!

I get a lot of vibration and a sound like a metallic spring when I try this lead setup. Could it be a defective paddle? (I play the thin version of the Franklin Ben Johns Signature) Ben -- do you ever have a similar issue with lead tape-induced vibration?

Is there a link we can get the new black paddle yet?

Do you use the same paddle/setup for singles and doubles?

Hey Ben, (2) questions 1. "do you think there would be much difference if I use a Gamma over grip rather than the Yonnex?" 2. I know you said the lead tape you use is lighter than it should be but can you tell me is it the (2) grams per inch type?

I did all these things and still lost my match. What the heck?! At least I can suck with the nicest paddle.

That’s an eye opener that you actually “customize” your own paddle! My question is, how often or when do you change your paddle and why?

Ok can anyone tell me if you are a lefty does it matter what direction you wrap the grip?

Spice it up Ben!🔥

where do I find edge guards, looking but can't find and when I google it, they always take me to someone TAPING the edge on youtube... grrrrrr please help.

nice video, TKs.

Is there any difference between your previous signature paddle and this new black one? Like width, length, thickness, handle length, or core materials? Either way still going to buy it! It looks sweet!!!

hey @ben - your new Joola paddles- are they designed to be more like these specs with the heavier throat, or do you still need to spec them out to your preference?

I have seen the comments saying the black paddle is coming out sometime this month, but does anyone know if it's just a new color or a different model altogether from the current Ben Johns Signature Paddle?

I know what you mean about the grip getting slippery.

Hey Ben, how much different would it be if you just added the overripe to the original Franklin grip. would it be to thick? please elaborate .

I remember the days you would wrap it like a Katana handle. But that is too time consuming.

Ben - Does the lead tape damage the edge guard? If you choose to remove it, is there any lasting damage? Or permanent sticky residue? (What about the electrical tape.. Same questions!) Thanks!

What does he add at 2:05??

Is there any difference between the new Black paddle and the original white one?

Where can I order the black branded paddle. The Link is only for the white paddle.

Great video. When is that black paddle coming out? Really cool looking!

What is the thickness of the jigsaw health ones? They are out of stock and so expensive compared to Yonex/Wilson/gamma 30 packs.

What does your paddle weigh after adding the lead tape? Lead tape comes in different gram weights per inch.

Thanks Ben. I have been trying to figure out where you put your lead tape. It looked like you had some lead tape on the sides of the grip?

What is the difference between the Jigsaw overgrips and the Yonex overgrip? In other words, why not use three Jigsaw or three Yonex? Why the 2 and 1 set up?

How many ounces are you paddles? For example this one with the lead tape?

Hi, according to what Ben described in the video, a total 60 gram (2 gram each inch) from lead tape was added?

Hey Ben. Great video. Thanks for sharing. I calculate your paddle weight (with lead tape) to be about 8.5 ounces? Is that correct? What would you estimate is the weight of paddle for most high level pros? 8.5?

Has anyone used this setup on his Joola CFS 16 Hyperion paddle? I know he said he was working on a video on how he wraps that paddle but until then, any current experiences from anyone? Thanks in advance!

Hah!! The secret is OUT!!!!

So is the total weight after the mods 9.0 oz?

What is the purpose of the over-grip, please? Thanks

Noice!

maybe put a layer of rubber on it to give you a bit of spin.

Ben, what does the total weight end up being after your mods? 9ish oz?

why doesn't franklin just offer a 9oz version, eliminating the need for any lead tape?

where can that black paddle be found?

WHEN IS THE BLACK PADDLE COMING OUT!!!!!!!!

Ben, can I have your used paddle after the La Quinta tournament?

The question becomes whether or not modifications should be illegal in pickleball. Just playing devil's advocate, but by the time you've added all the layers or overgrip and lead tape, the integrity of the paddle has changed considerably, meaning the original USAPA approval was for the stock paddle only. I wonder if the pickleball rules committee would ever consider this type of change eventually. Who knows what's next now that they're trying to ban the spin serves and wanting to shift to rally play.

No more Katana eh.

I thought he plays with a Joola??

So you’re telling me that weights like 18 ounces all together

Hi Ben John, looks super cool. Would you send that to me. Of course I will pay. Very very big fun of you.

Please give me your paddle.. 🙏😁

I actually changed my mind and chose to dislike this video. I understand the handle grip can get sweaty and slick at times depending on temperatures and how many games you play but can't you just dry it off from time to time? Some of the players I play with or against have your paddle and I think it's deserving of the premium cushion grip title. It's arguably the best handle grip I ever felt.