A big thank you to the team for sending us the PaddleSmash set for us to enjoy. As always, no monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review. Affiliate links may be included, which helps us earn a commission at no cost to you.
I’ve talked in the past about our love of pickleball, but I never told you my least favorite thing about the sport: finding a court to play on. It feels like we’re always fighting for tennis courts here in the Pacific Northwest so we can play pickleball. And, even if we do get lucky and find one, a tennis court isn’t ideal in many ways – the first being that the net and court aren’t regulation, the second being that we have to fight off tennis tournaments *and* pickleball aficionados. Sigh.
But, what if a pickleball court wasn’t required and you could play paddle sports wherever, even on a whim? It sounds too good to be true, but it is an actual thing.
It’s called PaddleSmash and it’s a new game that is a spinoff of pickleball in a fun, portable and easy-to-learn game. So, now you can play a super fun paddle game right at home…. or at the beach, the park, the local field, or just about anywhere.
Please, tell me more
The PaddleSmash set comes with 1 net system, 1 foldable base {this is the case it stores in!}, 4 wooden paddles, and 2 balls. If you already have your own composite or wooden pickleball paddles, you can get the PaddleSmash Lite set that is just the net system and base. It all packs into its own integrated case that makes it easy to store and take with you.
So, how do you play PaddleSmash?
You can play with 2-4 players {4 players are the recommended number, but for younger players 2 might be easier for them to master. Three requires a variation they call “King’s Court”}. When the ball is in play, your team get 2-3 touches {they use the terms bump, set, and smash} to return the ball. If the attacking team lets the ball hit the ground, or doesn’t hit the ball back into the base and over the net, the other team scores a point. The first team to score 11 points wins {but you must win by 2}.
We watched the rules when we first got the set, but I will admit we then promptly changed the rules here and there depending on our group. When the younger kids are playing, we have looser rules, and when the older crew is playing it can get a bit cutthroat. New rules here and there is just part of the evolution of any game and makes it adaptable to any group. We won’t be participating in any PaddleSmash tournaments {I assume there are tournaments} with our new rules, but it’s fun to add a little curveball here and there to keep people on their toes – literally and figuratively.
Why is PaddleSmash designed the way it is?
A whole lot of trial and error. What their R&D team figured out in all of those trials was that a hard base with a net was the optimal setup for better rallies and more contained play. The net system requires players to hit downward making the ball bounce upward, which makes it easier to return the ball and keep game play going. It’s more fun when the game rallies for longer, and isn’t that the goal of gameplay? No one wants to play a game where they are simply chasing a ball down and never get any game time, so the net and hard base combined is really the optimal set up for intense rallies and a whole lot of fun.
Set up and storage only takes a minute once you get the hang of it. It’s incredibly intuitive to set up, and it’s surprisingly sturdy once it’s all connected. And, putting it all away is also super easy once you figure out where the balls and paddles need to be placed and how to quickly fold up the net. I didn’t realize it all came in a case when I first ordered it, and was so excited when it arrived and I realized that I didn’t have to buy yet another sports bag. But, I was once again surprised by how convenient the integrated case really is for storage, for play, and for transport.
If you love a good outdoor sport with very minimal setup, easy rules, and playtime that can last for hours, check out PaddleSmash. As I mentioned, you can choose the full set with paddles and balls included, or you can buy just the net and base system if you already have a favorite paddle. Be warned though, every outdoor event someone is going to text you ahead of time and say “don’t forget to bring the PaddleSmash set”. The good news is that everyone will cheer when you get there and begin setting up the game.
How to buy
You can purchase the PaddleSmash Complete Set for $199 or the PaddleSmash Lite for $159, which does not include the paddles or the ball. You can purchase directly on the PaddleSmash website, or you can buy the sets on amazon.com. Locally, the sets are available at so many sporting goods stores like Big5, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Al’s Sporting Goods.
Use the code DAD20 for 20% off at PaddleSmash purchases before Father’s Day!
Be sure and follow PaddleSmash across social media as well:
PaddleSmash on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
