PaddleHandler.cs

using UnityEngine;
using System.Collections;
public class PaddleHandler : MonoBehaviour {
    //this creates an empty ParticleSystem variable that we can attach to the correct particlesystem in the editor
    public ParticleSystem collision;
    // Use this for initialization
    void Start () {
    }
    // Update is called once per frame
    void Update () {
        //this if statement moves the paddle down
        if(transform.position.z >0 && Input.GetKey(KeyCode.UpArrow)){
            float zup = transform.position.z - 16 * Time.deltaTime;
            transform.position = new Vector3(transform.position.x, 0, zup);
        }
        //this if statement moves the paddle up
        if(transform.position.z < 7 && Input.GetKey(KeyCode.DownArrow)){
            float zdown = transform.position.z + 16 * Time.deltaTime;
            transform.position = new Vector3(transform.position.x, 0, zdown);
        }
    }
    //this plays the particle effect during a collision
    void OnCollisionEnter(Collision other){
        collision.Play();
    }
}