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.
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
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
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
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
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.
Video Guide
Hey, My Name is Timothy Wang. I’m the U.S. National Table Tennis champion of 2010, 2012, and 2013 and playing the game since the age of 12. The purpose of this blog is to share my experience, tips, and tricks with others so they can master and enjoy this game like I’m doing for years.
