Static weight is the number most players meet first. It matters, but it cannot explain by itself how quickly a paddle starts, how easily it changes direction, or how stable the face feels when contact moves away from center.
Balance point, swing weight, and twist weight add three different views of how mass is arranged. They are measurements—not performance scores—and a higher number is not automatically better.
Static weight: how much paddle there is
Static weight is the paddle’s total mass. Both current ZO Concepts list a target of approximately 230 ± 10 g. The tolerance matters because carbon, foam, adhesive, grip, and edge components create small unit-to-unit variation. An overgrip, edge tape, or added weight changes the finished setup again.
Two paddles at the same static weight can still move differently if their mass sits in different places. That is why the other measurements matter.
Balance point: where the mass finds equilibrium
Balance point describes where the paddle balances along its length. More mass toward the tip shifts the balance away from the hand; more mass near the throat and handle can make a paddle feel more neutral at the same total weight.
CONCEPT-01 and CONCEPT-02 — LICORNE currently list an approximate 245 mm balance point. A shared balance target does not make them identical. Their cores and internal structures differ, and one balance measurement cannot describe the complete response.
Swing weight: resistance through the swing
Swing weight describes rotational resistance around a defined axis. It helps explain how substantial a paddle feels when it starts moving, changes direction, or recovers for the next ball.
- CONCEPT-01: swing weight 118
- CONCEPT-02 — LICORNE: swing weight 113
Read the difference as mass behavior, not a ranking. CONCEPT-01’s higher figure supports its direct, power-focused direction. LICORNE’s lower figure is one part of its Full Foam, control-upgraded direction. Shape, core, face, grip, and player timing still determine how the complete paddle feels.
Twist weight: resistance away from center
Twist weight describes resistance to rotation around the paddle’s long axis. When contact lands toward either side of the face, the ball creates a twisting force.
- CONCEPT-01: twist weight 6.2
- CONCEPT-02 — LICORNE: twist weight 7.0
A higher figure generally indicates greater resistance to that specific rotation. It does not guarantee better control, comfort, or hand speed; those depend on the complete build and the player.
Use the measurements together
Start with the court job. CONCEPT-01 is ZO’s power paddle, built around Foam + PP Honeycomb construction and a direct response. CONCEPT-02 — LICORNE is power upgraded with control, using Full Foam construction for a more composed response as pace changes.
Then use static weight, balance, swing weight, and twist weight to understand the physical package behind each direction. The useful question is not “Which number is best?” but “Does this combination support how I want the paddle to move, recover, and stay stable?”
A note on measurement
Measurements are meaningful only when the method, axis, and units are consistent. Individual units can vary within the stated tolerance, and modifications can change every value discussed here. CONCEPT-02 — LICORNE is currently available for pre-order; final specifications and fulfillment timing will be confirmed before fulfillment. Review the current product page before ordering.