Premier Spike vs Spikeball
And why Utah Roundnet made the switch.
As the Utah Roundnet Association (URA) was the first to transition from yellow Spikeball Pro sets to the white & blue Premier Spike sets, we often get asked "why?" This article explains our reasoning and experience with both brands.
Before I dive in, let's review the Utah Roundnet timeline, and how we've become such an influential leader within the sport of roundnet.
(Want the tl;dr version? Click here.)
Utah Roundnet timeline
- Summer 2018 - Utah Roundnet was created and became a sponsored Spikeball Ambassador Organization.
- 2019 - Utah Roundnet quickly became the largest roundnet organization in the world, hosting bigger tournaments than anywhere else.
- June 2020 - Hosted the How to Roundnet Spikehouse as COVID restrictions were lifted in Utah.
- Oct 2020 - Hosted the 2020 Roundnet Championships in light of the Spikeball Tour Series being cancelled.
- Between 2019-2022, Utah Roundnet hosted a Spikeball Tour Series challenger each year.
- Spring 2023 - Tested 5 Premier Spike prototype sets at our first tournament of the year; continued to use more and more Premier Spike prototypes as they became available.
- August 2023 - Received first shipment of real Premier Spike sets, and became the first to host a roundnet tournament using 100% Premier equipment (nets and balls).
- Never turned back.
Initial Reactions
When Utah Roundnet first started using Premier Spike in tournaments, it turned heads. Initially, we only had 3D printed prototypes from Premier Spike to test, but they were enough to convince us of the potential for a game-changing product. As a prominent Spikeball Ambassador Organization, we faced some growing frustrations with Spikeball Inc., particularly around their attempts to control the sport, and the challenge of replacing broken Spikeball Pro rims after every tournament. But for years this was all we knew, there was no other option.
Frustrations with Broken Equipment
Our tournaments consistently saw 3-10 broken Spikeball Pro rims. Often, they would break just from setting them up. This issue was compounded by difficulties in obtaining replacement parts, with frequent stock shortages and unresponsive customer service, and they have since started making you purchase replacement parts. At one point in 2022, we nearly canceled our first USA Roundnet sanctioned tournament due to a lack of functioning sets.
Testing Premier Spike
In the off-season of 2022-23, Premier Spike launched and sent prototypes to organizations and top players. This was the biggest news in roundnet since the release of the Spikeball Pro set in 2016, and reactions & loyalties were mixed. Spikeball had done so much for the sport, but also, they had kind of dropped the ball in some areas, and we all know competition creates innovation which was lacking in roundnet. We wanted to put them to the test, and proposed an agreement with Premier Spike to provide us with more prototypes so that we could test them in tournaments. Our players quickly adapted to the differences brought on by the higher quality and stability of Premier Spike sets, leading us to transition away from the yellow sets fully by April.
Arrival of Premier Spike Sets
In August 2023, we received our first official Premier Spike sets. They exceeded expectations with their smooth assembly and sturdy design. Now, let's get to the specifics.
Off-the-Court Comparisons
Assembly
Premier Spike sets snap together cleanly, and the nets are easier to attach and tighten. The hooks are on the outside of the rim making setup simpler compared to the internal hooks of Spikeball sets. They also have more hooks and no gaps around the legs for better consistency. While it takes some effort to disassemble the legs from the rims (just give it a hard WHACK), this effort ensures they stay securely in place during play.
Storage
While Spikeball sets stack easily, their nets need loosening to avoid rim damage. Premier Spike sets maintain their shape without loosening, simplifying storage and setup. We store the Premier Spike legs separately in a bin, which ensures the nets remain tightly secured and ready for play without constant adjustments.
Durability
Premier Spike sets have proven far more durable, with significantly fewer broken rims compared to Spikeball sets. In 2022, we had over 100 broken Spikeball rims from our tournaments, compared to only 4 broken Premier Spike rims in 2023, two of which were weaker 3D printed prototypes. As of mid-2024, we have had zero breaks with Premier Spike sets in our tournaments.
On-the-Court
Movement
Premier Spike sets remain stable during play, eliminating the need for constant adjustments. Spikeball Pro sets often require repositioning after each point due to their tendency to move on the ground and rims curling up. With Premier Spike, the sets stay in place and stay flat, ensuring a fairer game and more consistent play.
Net Tension
The rigid rims of Premier Spike allow for tighter net tension without bending, improving play quality for all skill levels. The ease of tightening the nets, combined with their ability to stay tight, enhances the gameplay experience, especially for new players who may not spike the ball as hard and need a little extra
bounce.
Premier Spike sets stay flat without adjustments.
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Spikeball Pro set bending mid-play.
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Premier Spike always maintains its circular shape.
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Spikeball Pro net curling down after a hit.
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Premier Spike stays put, even after hard hits from top level players.
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Spikeball's curling rims make gameplay unfair.
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Pockets
Premier Spike pockets are consistent and predictable, offering a larger sweet spot in the middle of the net. The nets' stability means pockets can be more intense, but they are always consistent, unlike Spikeball Pro sets, where the rims and legs flex as the ball hits the net, softening the impact of pockets.
Balls
Premier Spike balls are slightly heavier, providing advantages in windy conditions, but also causing differences in play. While some players prefer Spikeball Pro balls for training consistency as they compete in the Spikeball Tour Series, we've found that Premier Spike balls have fewer shape and texture issues than Spikeball Pro balls. Although the first batch of balls had sizing issues, Premier Spike has since addressed the issue and sent us replacements.
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Pockets are smaller on Premier Spike sets, creating a larger "sweet spot" in the middle.
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Premier Spike balls are 10% heavier, making it easier to play in the wind.
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Premier Spike balls are textured for extra grip.
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Premier Spike provides much better gameplay overall.
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That's just a pretty picture right there.
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Conclusion
Switching to Premier Spike has significantly enhanced our gameplay experience. The sets are more durable, easier to assemble, and provide a consistent playing surface. We believe this shift benefits the roundnet community and improves the overall quality of the sport. The decision was driven by the need for reliable equipment, making Premier Spike a superior choice for the Utah Roundnet Association.
If you are a Canada Roundnet player, you should check out
Roundnets.ca for more roundnet equipment.
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