How To Choose A Ping Pong Paddle? – A Complete Guide In 2023

First, we should mention that ping pong paddles have many names, which can be confusing, such as racquet, bat, racket, and paddle.

Furthermore, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) governs table tennis.

It doesn’t matter whether you say ping pong or table tennis. According to ITTF, it is table tennis.

Here, we will show you how to choose the right paddle for your style of playing ping pong and everything you need to know about buying one.

How To Choose A Ping Pong Paddle

What Is The Material Of A Ping Pong Paddle?

It would help if you first learned what a ping pong paddle is and the components that make it up before you purchase one.

If you are aware of the parts of a ping pong racquet, you’ll be able to choose the one best suited to your level of play and style of play.

Blade Of Ping Pong Paddle

What is the material of a ping pong paddle
Source: Table Tennis Spot

A paddle’s blade is its main part.

It may contain a small amount of carbon fiber or compressed paper, but normally, it is made from wood.

The minimum amount of wood in a ping pong blade must be 85%, and any additional materials must not constitute more than 7.5% or 0.35mm of the total blade thickness.

So, Ping pong pedals may be any size, shape, or weight as long as they are flat and rigid.

Usually, wooden blades are composed of five thin layers or more.

It is common for paddles to have five or seven plates, along with hard and soft woods, and composite materials to make a great paddle.

Composition Of Carbon And Wood In A Ping pong Paddle

Carbon and wood differ primarily in their predictability. Natural materials, such as wood, are not uniform.

Using a wood blade, you will learn its quirks over time and with practice.

The small percentage of carbon fiber in the blades will make them more predictable, even though they need to be made from wood at least 85% of the time.

Rubber of ping pong paddle
Source: Table Tennis Stop

Rubber Of Ping Pong Paddle

The Rubber should be evenly applied to the blade side that makes contact with the ball.

Rubber is allowed in three types:

1: Pimpled Rubber

Typically composed of a single layer of non-cellular Rubber, the pimples (known as ‘pips’) are evenly distributed so that their density ranges between 10 and 30 per square centimeter. 

2: Sandwich Rubber

sandwich rubber in table tennis paddle
Source: All About Table Tennis

Thin outer layers of pimpled rubber cover an inner layer of cellular rubber.

The pimpled rubber layer is less than 2mm thick.

Rubber sponges of varying densities also affect ball speed.

Using a thick sponge, the ball speed will be increased.

Having a thin sponge gives you more control (since the ball bounces lower, giving you more time to react).

Paddles with more control are more suitable for beginners.

On the other hand, experienced players may experiment with thicker sponges.

Rubber is usually 2mm thick on most bats.

3: Faced Rubber

It’s possible to have two different rubber coatings on each side of the blade, or are both identical on each side.

It is a good idea to look for the ITTF logo on rubbers, otherwise, you will not be able to tell how thick it is.

This is because rubbers that have the ITTF logo on them meet the ITTF competition standards.

There must be a black side and a red side to the Rubber. It’s not just for aesthetic purposes.

According to the ITTF, the color rule was added so your opponents can figure out which side your bat is using (if the rubbers on your bat are different) and can anticipate the speed and spin better.

The exact reason for choosing red and black is unknown.

You can also buy paddles that are both black and green – though you will not be allowed to participate in competitions with these paddles.

Handle Of The Ping Pong Paddle

Handle of the ping pong paddle
Source: Ping Pong Ruler

A handle is attached to the blade of a ping pong bat.

It can be straight, physical, flared up, pan-holded, covered, exposed, or short or long because there are no rules.

So, when choosing a handle, what factors do you consider?

There is no easy answer, based on what you like. However, you can learn a lot about other players’ playing methods.

Grip Of The Ping Pong Paddle

The grip on the racket handle also helps players maintain better control.

Normally handle grips are not included with the racket and are added to the paddle. They are called grip tape in ping pong.

Glue

A ping pong blade has glue attached to the rubber on the blade. It is illegal to use speed glue in ping pong.

It was banned by the ITTF in 2009 after professionals used speed glue to increase their racket’s flexibility.

Side Tape

The edges of the blades of the Ping Pong Paddles are covered with tape.

How thick the tape depends on how thick the rubber is and how thick the blade is. A power tape is often utilized, making the bat heavier.

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