KOZI Athletics

KOZI Athletics Novice

The KOZI Athletics Novice is a beginner-friendly paddle with a balanced mix of pop, power, and control. Its moderate weight and long shape suit first-time players building confidence from the baseline to the kitchen.

Character from the specs · Power

Power100
Control33
Forgiveness24
Arm-friendly28

Worked out from core thickness, weight, face and shape using general rules of thumb — not from a play test.

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Overview

The Novice weighs approximately 7.76 ounces, with a 9.8 mm honeycomb core and a composite face made from T700 carbon fiber and fiberglass. That weight should feel manageable during quick exchanges while still giving your swings useful momentum. The 16.1-inch length adds reach, while the 7.48-inch width keeps the shape relatively slim.

Its 5.12-inch handle and 4.25-inch textured grip fit the standard grip size Kozi lists for its paddles. The longer handle gives you room for a two-handed backhand, though the narrower face may offer less side-to-side margin than a widebody paddle. Kozi recommends the Novice for new players, and a verified buyer specifically praises its pop and power for family and recreational games.

Play style

This paddle suits you if you want easy pace without moving straight to a heavier setup. At approximately 7.76 ounces, it should remain manageable for quick hand movements, while the composite face and thin 9.8 mm core are positioned toward a lively response. That combination makes sense for baseline drives and getting the ball deep when you are still developing your swing.

The 16.1-inch length helps with reach at the kitchen and on wide balls. The standard 4.25-inch grip and textured surface should support a secure hold during resets and volleys. The available buyer opinion emphasizes pop and power, but the paddle's narrower 7.48-inch face gives you less width than a widebody design. Look elsewhere if your priority is maximum forgiveness or a broad sweet spot over reach and a slimmer profile.

Best for

  • A new player choosing a first full-size paddle
  • Players who want manageable weight with useful pop
  • Baseline players developing deeper drives
  • Players who value extra reach from a 16.1-inch paddle
  • Family or recreational players who want a USA Pickleball-approved paddle

Look elsewhere if

  • Players who want the widest possible sweet spot
  • Players seeking a very heavy power paddle
  • Advanced players looking for a specialized control or finesse setup
  • Players who prefer a shorter paddle with a wider face

Strengths

  • Moderate 7.76-ounce weight balances maneuverability with swing momentum
  • 16.1-inch length provides useful reach at the kitchen and on wide shots
  • T700 carbon fiber and fiberglass composite face supports a lively response
  • A verified buyer specifically praises the paddle's pop and power
  • USA Pickleball approval makes it suitable for approved tournament play

Things to consider

  • The 7.48-inch width gives you less lateral coverage than a widebody paddle
  • The 9.8 mm core may appeal less if you want a thicker, softer-feeling setup
  • The standard 4.25-inch grip may not suit players with unusually small or large hands
  • The available buyer feedback emphasizes pop and power more than soft-game performance

Specs

BrandKOZI Athletics
Weight7.8 oz
Core thickness9.8 mm
Core materialHoneycomb core
FaceComposite
Face materialT700 carbon fiber and fiberglass composite
Length16.1 in
Width7.48 in
Handle length5.12 in
Grip circumference4.25 in
HandleTextured grip with a 5.12-inch handle
USA Pickleball approvedYes

Not listed by the seller: shape.

Specs come from the seller's product listing and may be incomplete or change between batches. Double-check before you buy.

Sources

  1. Kozi Athletics
  2. FAQ – Kozi Athletics
  3. All Kozi Pickleball Paddles – Kozi Athletics

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