Volair CTRL Forza 1 & 2 Pickleball Paddle Review: Elite Spin and Control for You

[@limulus61]

I'm a current Mach 2 Forza player. I replaced a LUXX Epic with the Volair and I really don't think I would ever go back especially since the LUXX is so much more expensive and the grit just goes away after a few months. It is also not covered under their warranty. I got the offer to get this new paddle at a discount from Volair and I'm glad to see your review. Looks like I'll soon have a paddle with a little more pop!

[@jordankelly1782]

I LOVE how the lime looks

[@aznflamel3oy]

The Volair CTRL Forza 1 16mm is great for my gameplay because I'm looking for a high spin, medium power and pop paddle in a hybrid shape. I've had a mach 1 forza 16mm before and it was good but I needed just a little bit more power and pop, and this is literally just that. Excited for this release.

[@bigcheval]

Now that vatic has doubled down on power, I am all in on volair. Love my m2f.

[@daver.c.2613]

I have plenty of power but need extra control and I love great spin. Sounds like my best choice.

[@ravhannah]

Excited to see a Ctrl 1 forza. I love Kevlar, and high spin, control paddles. I already have Apollo, so a hybrid shape would be nice.

[@JerryBasa-r4v]

TRIED DIFFERENT BRANDS AND HAVE NOT FOUND THAT I LIKE AND HELP IMPROVE MY GAMES...IM EXCITED TO PUT MY HANDS ON THIS ONE :)

[@humbobumbo6103]

I'd love the CTRL Volair paddle because power can only take you so far in most games! It all comes down to precision and placement control and I would love to use this paddle! I got to demo the Volair Mach 2 Forza and I really loved it but I knew that the CTRL series was releasing so to hear that this is even a bigger upgrade to the Mach 2 Forza is crazy. Great review!

[@dv8tion388]

Previous Volair owners were offered the ctrl for 160 via email marketing a couple days ago. I bought it. Thanks for the review.

[@timothyngo933]

As a hybrid paddle user I'd choose the CTRL 1 Forza!

[@KarleeSomers-w6o]

I am choosing the 1 for the hybrid shape. Looking forward to the upgrades from the Mach Forzas.

[@nickj0201]

Thanks for the review! I use a Mach 2 at the moment and would love to try out the Ctrl 1 for the hybrid shape

[@gao57009]

I think these CTRL paddles would be an upgrade for me in terms of providing great control, but with some power too.

[@kmai2196]

I love Kevlar and rock the Apollo already. Want to try a new shape in the ctrl 1 and your comparisons sound great!

[@rouisrao]

Been looking to upgrade my current main Apollo to something with more pop/power and the Ctrl 2 might fit the bill!

[@Wc258]

Currently have the M2F would love to see what the CTRL series is all about. Loving the widebody, but I would like to try the hybrid shape CTRL 1 :D

[@barriedelmundo5247]

Currently using the Monarch All Court and I would love to try Control 2

[@honlam6681]

the control helps me out with placement of the ball super excited for CTRL

[@bundan5]

Ctrl 2 looks like a monster of a control paddle. with a sea of power paddles, you'll always want a control paddle for those days when nothing seems to be going your way.

[@LouisBrown19]

Good review. Love the Blue one - Ctrl 1.

[@christaporco5932]

CTRL Forza 2 is looking great for all the wide body benefits to suit my style

[@benwu3150]

Volair is the top of line, I have high expectation on Volair CRTL 2 wide body.

[@Lyang3861]

Thank you for great review! It's fresh idea to put emphasis on control back to world of pickleball!

[@Aurelia45-k3b]

I’ve never played with a pure control paddle, but I very much want to try one out. The blue color looks great

[@IceWalker-qn6gj]

I like the wide body CRTL 2 with low swing weight and high twist weight.

[@KaLee-gc7oq]

The CTRL 2 Forza is in my short list for my next paddle. I'm just starting to play the dinking game, so a control paddle would help. I also like to use top spin to get the ball low, so a control paddle with good spin is right up my alley.

[@dinryu]

Big fan of the Apollo's control and would love CTRL Forza 2

[@wenhowl5146]

love the prev version, the The Volair CTRL Forza 1 16mm should be an upgrade in spin.

[@BAMBAMPASTOR]

Thanks for reviewing them. I am a wide body paddle fan, so definitely the CTRL 2 Forza for me!

[@danielsteele4316]

Can't wait to try CTRL 2 Forza. I like the wide body paddles feel like they have better stability. Great review as always!

[@DavidGreer-f5s]

CTRL 2 would be a good fit for me given I’ve been playing with control paddles recently and would love to try the new surface of the CTRL 2 to see how it would help my game.

[@eddiezarate8246]

Ecstatic for the Forza 2 (widebody). Been using the FatBoy after using hybrids / elongated. Love the circuit board design

[@morganmiller3477]

I would absolutely love to play with both paddles, as the last two paddles I’ve played with are both the Six Zero double black diamond, and my current Paddle, the Spartis Apollo.

[@chrisdanca414]

So Excited for the Volair CTRL Forza 2. Been super interested in going widebody and this just might be the paddle to make me take the leap. Thanks again for such a great video as always!!

[@9DeezzDinkDrop]

The 2 is definitely what I’ve been looking for, an Apollo with more pop/power!

[@alfredjorge2148]

Huge fan of standard shape paddles and coming from M2F the additional pop would compliment my game.

[@MrPanthers23]

Control 2 looks like a great control power with lots of spin. It would definitely help me out

[@briles24]

i currently have a M2F, so really looking forward to the upgrades across the board with the C2F.

[@nm-ls8tb]

I like the Apollo for control so I will probably like this if it is an upgrade

[@grantjew7261]

I play with the 6.0 DBD and your favorable review of the Control 1 Forza over the DBD makes me look at this as a possible upgrade replacement of one of my current paddles. Nice breakdown and comparison.

[@pinkandoffwhite]

Haven't tried a control paddle yet but that green CTRL Forza 2 looks great!

[@DanielleMalkinNinja]

I have not played with a Volair paddle yet, but I feel that the Volair Ctrl 2 would be great for me because I’m still new to playing and need a paddle with great control. I come from an athletic background and am picking up skills quickly but want to improve my game. I also entered my first competition in late November, and it would be great to have a reliable control paddle for future competitions. Thank you for the great video!

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Good luck in your first competition!

[@ohniis]

Thanks for the review! The CTRL Forza would be perfect with the slight upgrade in pop and power from its predecessor

[@ponoagard3092]

I have been relying too much on power and need to slow my game down with some control, this paddle would be perfect!

[@wafarris]

Would love to try a control oriented wide body so it would be the Volair Control 2 as my choice of the two. Thanks for the review.

[@Olorin323]

The CTRL 2 Forza would be great for me as I love to generate my own power and having the extra spin and forgiveness sounds great!

[@Rated4Weight84]

Crazy that they ticked the box in all areas for upgrades of the previous paddles. Good stuff🤙

[@ArianaWilson-]

Great review. I've recently been experimenting with a wide body paddle. Ctrl 2 is perfect for me.

[@SouthPhillyPT]

The new Volair CTRL Paddle will help me with controlling my drives and offer the spin that I enjoy with my backhand slice.

[@SouthPhillyPT]

On a side note, I have no experience with Volair. Hoping to get a chance to win it. More power to this channel! 🙌🏻

[@HowieB-isMe3885]

I own the mach two forza 16 mm and 14 mm. The 16 mm doesn’t have enough pop at the kitchen line for me. The 14 mm is better but then it’s not flush enough and doesn’t have that heavy spin on soft shots that I get with the 16 mm. The Apes Pulse V is perfect. As soon as I tried it, I had no trouble controlling it, but it’s got a lot more popping power than my forces and it’s easily controlled and plenty of spin.

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Putting more time on my Pulse V I’ll catch up

[@jnfriesen1]

I really like the Apollo, so I think I would love the control mach 2 🔥🔥🔥

[@DrLamChops]

CTRL Forza 2. I've been loving hybrid shape, had the double black 6.0 and now main the J2k. Want to try a wide body

[@MattyRut2922]

I have been waiting on these reviews! Thank you for putting it together. I would love to have either of these in my bag, but I think that CTRL Forza 2 would be a good replacement for my Apollo for all the reasons that you stated (AND if I was the winner I would do a much better job of wrapping the handle).

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Haha, I wrap like 6 paddles at a time sometimes I should go slower and do better

[@PBjan777]

I use forza mach 2 for doubles main and forza mach 1 for singles. But the control looks like it has more power to it and is a plus. Good review.

[@RoyalBoricuaPickleball]

Thank you very much for the review. I love the Apollo and if that one is better it will improve my skills tremendously.

[@DeeDeeTuBeautyandAll]

I’ve been using the Apollo and I noticed how fast the grits got dull. The Volair CTRL 2 would be an amazing step up from the Apollo. I would love to try it.

[@CryptoVin]

I have a power paddle now and as I get better and perfect the soft game I think the Volair CTRL paddle would be perfect for me.

[@OnBorrowedTime]

Been maining the Mach 2. Can’t wait to see what the Ctrl 2 can do!

[@darrylt808]

Thanks for the review. My current paddle has a little too much power and pop, I think these control paddles would suit my game better

[@samo81]

I’ve got my CTRL 2 on pre order. It’ll be my 4th Volair paddle ❤ I’ve got the original Mach 2 16mm, and both 14&16 Mach 2 Forza’s. This sounds like it’ll be my goldilocks paddle based on your comments.

[@robertjackson8790]

Hey man great video. I think the Voltaire two will really help my game because I’m working on control to elevate my ranking.

[@michaelnibbe2992]

My wife and I both play with the Mach 1 Forza. It would be great to try the CTRL 2. Bigger sweet spot and a little better pop than the Forza2. Thanks

[@patatopatty]

I have been weening off playing like a complete banger (as fun as it is) bc it just doesn't work anymore and now I'm really trying to focus on making the right shots. 😂 Thanks for the review!

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Haha I hear you it is hard to quit being a banger

[@paullin2844]

Thank you for your great review! Control paddles are important now to slow down the sea of power paddles 😂

[@tommyacosta4919]

This, this is the one I need in my life (Ctrl 2) I enjoy the control game so much more than the power game. Really looking forward to this paddle. Putting it out there, I’m gonna win 🙏🏼 bc I need this in my life!

[@coachkeebspb]

Thank you for comparing the CTRL 2 Forza to the Apollo. I think the biggest difference isn't performance, but price. Apollo at $117 after your code is a steal compared to $180. Loving my Apollo and Olympus!

[@michaelchen6017]

CTRL 2 Forza (both tho) looks awesome! Have been in love with the Mach 2 as of late :)

[@benw63]

I would love the CTRL 2! Ive been incredibly close to getting a Mach 2 Forza, so this is a natural competitor. Definitely “blue” gang!

[@DanMai-e6i]

these sound like a perf fit for my game!

[@AlanChang1]

My preference between these two is different from you. I have gotten used to the hybrid shape and preferring the Control 1 here and the slight elongation may be something I'm looking for short of a through elongated for now.

[@Kodaiko]

Blue Ctrl 2 would be nice

[@lavonhicks4781]

Love a great control paddle and Volair delivers!

[@ernest4483]

Another great content and review Jacob of Ctrl series from Volair

[@tojotess]

I have the Mach 2 Forza and would like to compare against the new one. I tend towards liking a control paddle.

[@munchymunch8698]

I came on KZbin hoping for a review on the CTRL paddles haha, been eyeing up the original Mach 2, the new CTRL will be good as Id love the extra spin and pop

[@rothnaktoy44]

Would love to see how this compares to the Mach 2 forza!

[@jerryduong10]

I am hoping to be the lucky winner of the CTRL Forza 1 since you mentioned in the video that it is pretty much an upgrade to my current main, the 6.0 DD:)

[@MatthewJung-ut1ko]

This would improve my soft game

[@markbogart7066]

I am looking for more spin and like the hybrid shape.

[@alexluyando3362]

Who doesn't need more control! LOL :) Plus, Volair ROCKS!

[@lucasdelacruz7049]

GREEN CTRL 2!

[@sojiromifune]

Interested in the Control 2 Forza because I have the Mach 2 Forza 16mm and feel like it lacks power and pop.

[@gumbyspergist9541]

I would love to try a Ctrl 2 I’ve recently been curious to go back to a wide body I think it would be good to have more stability and control and get away from using power

[@boba_driver]

I'm interested to see how it stacks up against my company's paddle and why their design is similar.

[@jetjaguar5198]

Dang.....I was hopping that these would be more of a power paddle since they have the Mach 2 in the lineup.

[@Houjixful]

I’m trying to get into wide body paddles now and this one is different which I’d like to win

[@nosyjoe]

I've been using the Mach 2 Forza for a few months now. Tried other paddles, but keep coming back to it. It's just more forgiving. The Cntrl 2 interests me, but I'm not sure if I need more power or pop?

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Only you can answer that, if you like your M2F stick with it

[@nosyjoe]

@ that’s how I’m leaning. I have a Pulse V that’s not even open yet. My thought was it would be a moderate upgrade

[@CuongTranQ]

I'm looking have something better than the DBD and this looks like a better version of that. I would love to try out the Ctrl 2.

[@groot3371]

I enjoyed the video. The CTRL Forza would be good for my control game, but give me the little extra power and pop that I cannot get from other control paddles. I would like you to compare the CTRL paddles to the Pickleball Apes Pulse V and S paddles and the Spartus Olympus. Thank you.

[@kennynguyen6060]

cant wait for the CTRL Forza i dont think y’all understand how good control and spin is for somehow who only bangs

[@samurien]

This might be a weird question/comparison but how does the ctrl 2 compare to the j2k or j2ti? Coming from Mach 2 and wanting a bit more power the ctrl could fit the bill. Thanks!

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Less power and pop than the J2K. Around similar levels of pop to the J2Ti and less power than the J2Ti. More maneuverable than both by just a little. Stability and sweet spot about the same but obviously different variations with the shape difference. J2Ti is softer by a little.

[@samurien]

@ awesome, thanks for the insight! It almost sounds like what a j3ti might be like from a power standpoint then; sounds like it might be best to take advantage of their return policy and see if the updates are what I’m looking for or if I should just get a j2k.

[@swiftraider759]

Hey, question. I have the Fatboy which is my main paddle. Comparing the The wide body Forza...Neonic Flair prime 14mm..and the Apes Pulse V...which paddle do you prefer? Is there a 14mm Forza wide body? I wouldn't mind the Fatboy but with more spin, control and power. Do any of those paddles I mentioned check those boxes? Thanks

[@kabob21]

You’ll want to go with a different shape than wide body if you want all those features to be better than a Fat Boy’s.

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Out of all of those if you are looking for the best power/pop combo with good feel and still controlable I’d go with the Flare Prime 14mm and especially with my weight setup you’ll see in the review.

[@swiftraider759]

@@kabob21 I have pretty much moved on from elongated due to the lack of sweet spot..Standard and widebody has been my new shape of choice for almost a year now. I value control, stability, pop, spin and power in that order.

[@ryrysinger]

Any thoughts on comparing the CTRL 2 to the Monarch AC?

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Less pop and power than the AC with a little more stability and better control. If you like your AC I’d stick with it

[@h3xwaffle433]

I’m a big fan of Volair and even got the Forza Mach 1 awhile ago and it’s the paddles I’ve used ever since then. I really hope to win the giveaway because I’ve worn out my paddle playing so much and I need a new one. I hope I win and thank you

[@elevatedestates8291]

your handle tape job is killing me :p

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

😂😂😂

[@65atBestPB]

That was a violent serve @4:50 😂. Give that big shoulder some love and rotate shoulders back a little with that same semi open stance. A good backswing/coil checkpoint for that stance would be shoulder line pointing to back fence. I just saved you from future shoulder surgery so send me one of those Pulse S, oh, I mean blue CTRL 1 Forza. 😁

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Sounds good I’ll try that, any video reference?

[@65atBestPB]

@@AllDriveNoDropPickleball I wish we could link videos in these comments, then we would have some fun. I’m used to tennis forums where we post online tennis instructor videos and relevant pro video. Maybe someday here in the land of youtube comments. The long version would be lots of tennis forehand mechanics and video, but let’s try the short version (which is admittedly hard for me). Shoulder rotation: I use that here to mean shoulders rotated back past hips, not the same as just pointing entire body to sideline (that is called turning). Talking about serves, but applies to drives from baseline when you have time. We always have time on our serve. - we don’t want All Arm No Rotation - we want some body rotation assist, shoulder rotation will be the most assist - we want some shoulder uncoiling range of motion before letting arm finish relay to contact That 3rd item is just saying don’t rotate shoulders through contact, most easy smooth power comes from arm finishing hit (shoulder passes momentum to arm), shoulder has to pause (hit endpoint) to let the arm run anchor. Follow through might bring shoulders around after contact, but that is just relaxed follow through completion. So stance matters … adequate body/shoulder coiling (backswing) is different depending on stance. You hit an open stance … or semi open at 4:50. A good video to watch is Ed Ju’s Jaume Vich serve video, he is serving from similar stance. There is slow motion and you can easily see coiling, uncoiling, shoulder uncoiling reaches an endpoint and then arm finishes and brings the heat. Difference between easy power vs arming/muscling power. An example of the other stance extreme is Dekel Bar. If you go find a video of his serve, you might say … “hey old 65atbest dude, Bar has his shoulders barely turned like me”. The difference is his body and shoulders have a longer range of motion around/over that left hip from closed stance, he doesn’t have to rotate shoulders back like open stance. This happens on tennis forehands … on deep balls typically use open stance and rotate shoulders back past hip line. Running to ball … hit with square stance in stride off left leg (right hander) and no added shoulder turn needed because there is range for shoulder movement forward before passing off to arm. So much for short version … I have a hard time with that. 🤐

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

@ Thanks for the detailed explanation. I think this could explain why sometimes I feel I am getting more power than other times. I’ll go watch the serve video and see what I can learn to implement next time.

[@65atBestPB]

@@AllDriveNoDropPickleballbtw … I don’t think serving technique matters much in pickleball doubles, particularly rec. But if one is serving hard then technique might matter as far as avoiding shoulder injuries. I haven’t seen anyone warming up serves, drives or overheads in my 2 years of pickleball … so weird for a tennis player.

[@65atBestPB]

@@AllDriveNoDropPickleball You don’t need a big serve … you have that magic eye hand thing at the net. 😉 You track and pick up the ball and react to it instantly … can’t teach that … have it or you don’t. Technique doesn’t matter much in pickleball doubles which is too bad for me. 😂 Oh … I thought of you the other day … your video on transition zone. I think I will always find that part of doubles pb the biggest mystery. I was watching JW and Frazier … and some interesting observations: - they must have set plays, or called plays for situations, but often Frazier would immediately position mid-transition zone before JW hit 3rd shot (probably only for drops) - on many 3rd shot drops rather than hitting them 100% stationary, they would have body transfer to front leg with some momentum through contact. Still under control, and not running through shot, but not split step/hit totally stationary/start moving after. At 66, I know all about needing to be moving through my return of serve. It’s why I picked up so quick on “oh … a little momentum through 3rd shot drop also a good idea”. Also … depending on who you are playing with, prepositioning partner forward rather than always move together might be the good percentage play. Not so much with open play partner getting you killed. 😛

[@mikedang30]

Own a mach 1 forza used for 6 months. Could use a new Crtl 1 forza.

[@cardinals5516]

Great review! I play best with control paddles so I think this would be a really good fit for me. Also, how does the CTRL 2 compare to the Pulse V?

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Not sure yet with all the talks of the Pulse series heating up as you use it. I’ll have to put more time in with it.

[@cjudo]

me and my gf want to play a tournament. I have a power paddle,and i know it would be perfect if she got a control paddle to suit her play style better!

[@timm4629]

F1 is interesting and I have been a fan of the DBD. Thanks - Go Detroit Lions

[@AllDriveNoDropPickleball]

Go Lions