The one-handed backhand in pickleball is a different stroke than the two-hander, and it asks different things of a paddle. Here is what actually matters — balance, face length, grip size — and what to ignore.

A two-handed backhand asks more of a paddle's handle than any other shot. Handle length, balance, and shape all change what the second hand can do. Here is how to choose a paddle that supports the stroke instead of cramping it.