Air Hockey Paddles

In the sport of air hockey there are three main items you must have in order to play: an air hockey table, pucks, and paddles (also referred to as strikers, mallets or goalies). The air hockey paddle is what you actually hold on to while playing to hit the puck as it glides across a cushion of air. Air hockey paddles could be the most important but underrated piece of air hockey equipment for players.

There are basically two types of air hockey paddles: high-tops and flat-tops. Both of these paddles have the same basic bottom design; it’s the height of the nub that is different. The nub height is strictly personal preference because both designs function exactly the same. If you don’t know which you prefer, purchase one of each and try them out.

Every player has their own way of holding their air hockey paddles. Some players like to hold the nub with their palm resting over the top of the paddle and other players like to grip the nub lightly with just a couple of fingers. One especially popular style of grip is to hot hold the paddle by the nub, instead place two or more fingers into the base applying pressure downward on to the hockey table.

A player should really test out several different gripping styles to see which one works best. It’s amazing how much better or worse your game may be because of how you’re holding your paddle.

Air hockey paddles are available in many different colors, including fluorescent or glow-in-the-dark. Paddles are very inexpensive and it can be fun to buy a couple of different colors and sizes to experiment with.

The size and weight of the paddles differ almost as much as color. Some paddles are a small diameter for use with a mini air hockey table and the largest are approximately 4 inches. The weight of a paddle can vary between 60 grams up to 130 grams. Again, its personal preference as to which paddle you choose.

Ultimately, the air hockey paddle is an extension of the player’s arm and it can make a world of difference in your air hockey game, especially if you play on a tournament level. Perfecting your gripping technique and finding your target paddle weight all depends on experimenting. Try out as many different styles as possible until you find the right one for your playing style and technique.