Most product lines are easy to read as a sequence: the higher number appears later, so it must replace what came before. ZO uses “Concept” differently. A Concept identifies the job a product is designed to do—not its position in a release hierarchy.
The court decision comes first
Every paddle is used inside a chain of decisions. Sometimes the player needs to absorb pace and create the next opening. Sometimes the opening is already there and the priority is direct acceleration. Those jobs ask for different responses, even when the player values both power and control.
ZO defines the court situation first, then studies movement, feel, rhythm, and the details that shape repeatable confidence.
01 and 02 are directions
CONCEPT-01 represents ZO’s power direction, using Foam + PP Honeycomb construction for a direct, power-focused response.
CONCEPT-02 — LICORNE represents power upgraded with control. Its Full Foam direction is designed to make power feel more composed and manageable without turning the product into a replacement for CONCEPT-01.
Why the system stays useful
A job-based system makes future products easier to understand. The number helps identify the Concept, while the description explains the role. Players can compare what each product is trying to accomplish instead of assuming that new automatically means better for every game.
This also keeps ZO accountable. Construction, specifications, and release status must support the stated job and must be published against the exact product version—not borrowed from an earlier sample or another model.
Choose the role, then confirm the record
Start with the response you want on court. Then review the current product page for construction, specifications, availability, care, and competition status. The best Concept is the one whose job matches the decisions you want to make with confidence.