🛠️ Delamination vs. Core Crush: What’s Really Killing Your Pickleball Paddle?

When your game feels off—your drives lack power, your touch shots aren’t landing, or your paddle just sounds weird—it might not be your skills. It could be your gear.

Two of the most common issues affecting pickleball paddles today are delamination and core crush. They’re easy to overlook but can seriously impact your performance—especially in tournaments or competitive pickleball leagues.

We’re breaking it all down thanks to insights from Ryan Atkinson, a certified pickleball coach and paddle expert at Atkinson Pickleball.

💥 What Is Delamination?

Delamination occurs when the outer face of the paddle separates from the inner core, typically in thermoformed paddles where heat and pressure were used to bond the layers. When that bond breaks, it creates an air gap between materials.

The result? The paddle acts like a trampoline, launching the ball with more pop and power.

🚨 Why It Matters

Delaminated paddles often deliver more power with less effort. That might sound appealing—until you realize it’s illegal in tournament play. A delaminated paddle gives players an unfair advantage, with shots that exceed the standard performance allowed under regulation.

This is why delamination is a serious issue for pickleball tournaments and competitive matches.

🔍 Signs of Delamination:

• Clicky or hollow sound on contact

• Unexpectedly fast ball speed

• Poor touch control and finesse

• Inconsistent ball bounce across the paddle face

🧱 What Is Core Crush?

Unlike delamination, core crush happens within the paddle itself. It’s when the polymer honeycomb core collapses—usually due to repeated high-impact hits, manufacturing flaws, or long-term wear.

This creates a “dead spot” that robs you of both power and consistency.

💤 Why It Sucks

Instead of launching the ball with authority, your paddle just absorbs it. You lose shot depth, control, and pace—especially on drives and overheads. Unlike delamination, core crush is still legal in play, but it puts you at a clear disadvantage.

🔍 Signs of Core Crush:

• Muted, dull sound

• Areas that feel soft or “dead”

• Loss of power and inconsistent performance

• The ball feels like it sinks into the paddle

🥇 Side-by-Side Comparison:

Feature	Delamination	Core Crush
Damage Location	Between face and core	Inside the core
Effect on Play	More pop, less control	Less power, dead spots
Sound	Clicky, hollow	Dull, muted
Competitive Edge	Unfair advantage (illegal in events)	Performance loss
Legality	Illegal in tournaments	Legal, but suboptimal
Durability Risk	Worsens rapidly	Degrades gradually

So… What Should You Do?

Whether you're showing up for pickleball open play, signing up for pickleball clinics, or playing in your local pickleball league, your paddle is a critical part of your game.

Ryan Atkinson reminds us: “The paddle is an extension of your game. If something feels off—too hot, too dead, or just inconsistent—it’s worth having it checked.”

At IPC, we’ll help you figure out if it’s time for a paddle replacement, a warranty claim, or maybe just a tweak in your setup. And if you’re shopping for your next one, check out our paddle reviews on the IPC YouTube Channel for honest, real-player insights.

🛠️ Because sometimes, it’s not your strategy—it’s your paddle.