Table Tennis Paddles
Buying a cheap ping pong paddle  at the local sporting goods depot is fine if you’re just planning on taking on Uncle Charlie in the basement. But for those interested in getting serious, a high performance paddle will take your game to the next level. With blades costing as much as $200, your options are plentiful. However, the most important consideration above all, is finding a blade and rubber that fits your level and style of play. Brands such as Galaxy, Dawei, Donic, Yasaka, Butterfly, Palio, and Friendship offer a number of different options for every level.
Table Tennis Paddle Types
Initially, table tennis paddles break into two categories, recreational and high performance. A recreational paddle is made of a wood and rubber combination that limits the amount of speed, spin and control a player can exert on the ball. Since most amateur players won't be worried about technicalities, these inexpensive paddles are the perfect choice. High performance paddles are more expensive and enhance a player’s ability to control the ball. This is the only acceptable option for pro players. Here are some more details about what makes a pro paddle pro. In the rest of this guide you will learn about the different aspects that go into making a rating for each paddle, often a defining measure of cost and quality.
- A recreational level table tennis paddle is bought with the rubber sheets and blade preassembled.
- They provide a moderate performance level, but will not compete with a high-performance, custom competition table tennis paddle.
- This type of paddle can be found at most sporting goods stores.
- This category of table tennis paddles consists of a blade, typically made of wood, and specialized, high-performance table tennis rubber.
- They produce much more speed and spin than recreational paddles and can be customized to each player’s unique needs.
- By selecting a particular specialized wood or various composites along with different types of high-performance table tennis rubber, you can create a paddle based on your playing style.
- Users of this type of paddle hold a decided advantage against opponents playing with recreational paddles.
The Blades
The blade is the wood part of a table tennis paddle which makes up the shape of the head and handle. It is made from thin wood veneers that are bound together. Some blades have a laminated outer coating of another material, such as carbon fiber, which provide a larger sweet spot. This makes it easier to land a shot even when you don't have a very precise contact with the ball. The type of wood veneers used in the blade construction determines the overall speed and spin that the blade will produce, as well as its overall feel.Carbon Fiber and graphite paddles incorporate a layer (or multiple layers) of carbon fiber or other synthetic material into the blade. While the rules require that 85 percent of the total blade be wood. However, the advantage of composite blades is that they are lighter and stronger. In addition, these blades have a larger sweet spot than just wood alone. Keep in mind that performance comes at a price.
Blade Speeds
A blade’s ability to transfer arm and paddle movement into ball speed varies based on factors such as wood type used and how they are combined. Speed ratings are provided by the manufacturer and are usually listed on the packaging or the blade handle itself. They should only be used to compare products within a particular brand since there is no definitive rating scale that mediates each manufacturer's standards.
Different types of game, ability, and style of play requires different considerations as you will now discover. These are the ratings that are used in combination with spin and control ratings to determine the overall "power rating" for a paddle. - Speed Rating 70 to 100 -- Fast table tennis blades are popular with aggressive, attacking players who focus on offensive play.
- Speed Rating 60 to 70 -- All-around speed blades are popular with many players who mix their playing style and who like to pick their attacks.
- Good for players who emphasize controlled topspin.
- Defensive players who want to mix occasional offensive shots also use all-around speed blades.
- Speed Rating 50 or below -- Control speed table tennis blades are preferred by many defensive players and players still developing their games.
- When combined with thin rubber (1-1.5mm), these blades allow for the highest consistency at the expense of some power.
Blade Weight
Most blades weigh between 70 and 100 grams before the rubber is added. The ideal blade weight for you is based on style and strength.
- Blades under 77 grams allow for the quickest racket acceleration. Or in other words, you can initiate a swing faster regardless of what direction your momentum is moving.
- They provide a higher ratio of spin to speed.
- Slow rated blades are good for defensive players and sometimes are enhanced with an oversized head.
- Medium to very fast light blades are favored for quick attack styles and players who use a lot of topspin or prefer close to the table play.
- Blades weighing 77 to 89 grams provide a nice balance of lightness and speed with extra power and a more solid feel.
- Good for all-around players who like to control the table and pick their shots.
- Blades over 90 grams are heavy hitters that will provide lots of power and very stable shots hit of the center of the blade.
- They produce a higher speed to spin ratio for topspin attacking shots, making them good for offensive players.
- Usually preferred by attacking players when combined with a faster speed rating since they have the greatest potential power when moving at maximum speed.
The Rubber Sheets
When the ball impacts the rubber sheet on the face of the paddle, not only does the rubber grip the ball to create control, but it results in the compression of the underlying sponge between the rubber and the blade. Then this compression creates a rebound force which catapults the ball off the paddle surface creating speed and spin. The two sides of the paddle don't need to have the same rubber type on each side, but for competition play, they do need to be different colors (one side red, the other side black). And, like blades, rubbers have manufacturer's ratings, which are used only for comparisons within the brand. - Usually, rubbers come in two types: "inverted" or "pips out". Pips out is generally used for smashing and control, while inverted is used for spin.
- Anti-topspin and long pips rubbers are also available, mostly destined for defensive players. Note that using these rubbers aren't a substitute for not understanding spin.
Power ratings have a lot to do with the quality and type of rubber sheets used. Power rubbers typically have high speed ratings with strong topspin for maximum attack advantage.
A rubber’s ability to easily create faster ball speed is based on the amount of power created by the sponge’s rebound force and top sheet hardness. It also has to do with the ability to create stronger spin. You will see high speed rubbers that are 2.5 or 2.0mm thick. These are best for offensive players, while defensive players may prefer slower rubbers. - 2.5mm is the maximum thickness allowed. Depending on the combination of the rubber and sponge, the rubber thickness will usually be around 2.15mm or 2.3mm.
- 2.0mm is the most popular thickness. It combines the offensive power of a 2.5mm rubber, but with more control. Usually preferred by spin and attack players who use faster, lighter blades and who like close-to-table attacking.
- 1.0 to 1.5mm thick rubbers provide maximum control and feel for players emphasizing steady all-around play or primarily defensive style. This thickness is sometimes used by quick hitting or blocking players.
Handle Type
Handle size and shape are primarily personal choices based on what feels good in your hand. Flared handles, also called concave, are the most popular table tennis blade since they allow for playing with a loose grip. That makes the risk of the racket slipping out of your hand less than with straight handle rackets. - Straight handles are the second most popular type of grip with players of all styles, though they are more popular with defensive players.
- Anatomic or "double flared handles” have the widened end of a flared handle with a second wide part in the middle.
- Conic handles are preferred by some players with larger hands.
Table Tennis Blade Styles
|
- The term “shakehand grip” refers to holding the paddle like you were shaking hands with it.
- It is the grip of choice in western countries and it is getting more popular in China and Japan.
- These paddles tend to be more rounded with longer handles.
- Shakehand grip paddles are designed for the player to use both sides, often with different types of rubber on each side for creating more playing versatility.
|
|
- Penhold style blades are designed for the Asian style of play -- gripping the racquet like you would hold a pen.
- This style varies widely.
- Chinese penhold style curls the middle, ring and fourth finger on the backside of the racquet.
- Japanese style penhold splays those three fingers out on the back of the racquet.
- Only allows you to use one side of the racquet, which is used for both backhand and forehand play.
- Some Chinese players use a newer penhold style known as Reverse Penholder Backhand, which uses both sides of the racquet.
- This style is suited towards a powerful, quick forehand, and not well suited to defensive or all-around style play.
- Penhold blades are very fast.
|
|
Japanese Penhold Grip - With the Japanese style, the middle, ring and fourth fingers are fanned out behind the blade for maximum forehand power.
- Japanese style penhold blades are best for quick hitting and topspin attack.
- They have a more rectangular shaped head, which is longer and narrower than shakehand or Chinese penhold blades.
- They may also have thicker and non-symmetrical handles.
- The shape and very fast woods produce maximum power and lightness, but minimum control and backhand flexibility.
|
|
- With the Chinese grip, the non-index fingers are curled around the handle for greater ease in adjusting the racket angle.
- Chinese style penhold blades are also made for attacking styles, but are somewhat less powerful and easier to control.
- Chinese penhold blades have a more conventional round shaped head and a thinner, symmetrical rounded handle.
- The smaller handle makes it easier to adjust your grip and racket angle for different shots or to rotate the blade in your hand for use of the second side.
|
Major Manufacturers
|
|
Shopping Directory
