Table Tennis Paddles Tips
Read these 14 Table Tennis Paddles Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Table Tennis tips and hundreds of other topics.
What sponge thickness should I choose?
• 2.5mm- The maximum thickness allowed under the rules. The term 2.5 is often used in a general way to express the maximum thickness of sponge allowed for a rubber sheet to maintain a total rubber/sponge thickness that is within the total allowed under the rules. Depending on the particular rubber sheet the actual maximum thickness of sponge will probably be something more like 2.15mm or 2.3mm.
• 2.0mm-This is the most popular thickness. 2.0mm combines offensive power with more control than 2.5mm. 2.0mm is also preferred by some spinning or attacking players who use light, medium fast "quick attack" blades, particularly for close-to-the table attacking.
• 1.0, 1.5mm- Thinner sponge rubbers provide maximum control and "touch" for players emphasizing steady all-around play or a defensive style. 1.5mm is sometimes used by quick hitting or blocking players.
What classification of table tennis paddles should I choose?
• [OFF+] For all out offensive play without compromise.
• [OFF] For direct offensive play with much spin, speed and power.
• [OFF–] For medium offensive play with much spin, sped and power.
• [ALL+] For offensive all-round play mixing shots with topspin shots of variable spin.
• [ALL] For all-round players who mix attack and control shots in rallies
• [ALL-] For all-round players who emphasize control and consistency from all distances
• [DEF] For traditional defense with emphasis on the chop from a far distance
Table Tennis Racket “control”
CONTROL-Blades with high control ratings are easier to use for steady, consistent play. Blades high in control are usually lower in speed and visa-versa. A well designed blade combining soft and hard wood plies (or carbon plies) can however produce high speed on fast shots with good control for soft play. Note that like speed ratings, control ratings were provided by the manufacturer of each brand for comparisons within that brand and not with blades from other manufacturers.
Should I try Arylate ping pong racket?
Arylate fiber layers will reduce the amount of vibration at impact. Much like Carbon, Arylate also enlarges the size of the sweet-spot making the racket more consistent. This characteristic will generally result in a racket with a ‘medium' or ‘soft' feel which is ideal for players who emphasize spin or require more touch. Or you can get the best of both worlds and try an Arlyate/Carbon combo blade.
Ping Pong Paddles Handly Style
• Many table tennis blades come in different handle styles. The shakehand models are:
o Shakehand Flared handles (FL) also called concave are the most popular. They allow a loose grip with less risk of the racket slipping out of the hand during play than with straight handle rackets.
o Shakehand Straight handles (ST) are the second most popular type of grip with players of all styles and are more popular with defensive type players.
o Shakehand Anatomic (AN) or "double flared handles have the widened end of a flared handle with a second wide part in the middle.
• The Penhold models are:
o Japanese Penholder (JP) With the Japanese style the other fingers are fanned out behind the blade for maximum forehand power.
o Chinese Penholder (CP) With the Chinese grip the non-index fingers are curled around the handle for greater ease in adjusting the racket angle and therefore better control and backhand play.
• Which handle style is right for you is strictly a personal preference.
What will Carbon table tennis rackets offer me?
Carbon fiber layers will add more speed to a racket and it will also increase the size of the sweet-spot, making the racket more consistent. Carbon also acts as a reinforcing layer which will strengthen the racket. Due to this, most Carbon blades have a ‘hard' feel which are ideal for hitters and power play.
What weight of table tennis rackets good for me?
• WEIGHT-Most table tennis blades weigh between 70 and 100 grams before rubber is added. As with a tennis racket, golf clubs or baseball bat, the ideal blade weight for you is based on style and strength.
• Light Blades-(under 77 grams) allow quickest racket acceleration. They provide a higher ratio of spin to speed. Medium to very fast light blades are favored for quick attack styles (topspin close to the table play).
• Medium weight blades-(77 to 89 grams) balance some of the extra power and solid feeling of the heavier "power" blades preferred by many combination attacker/blockers, with some of the advantages of lighter blades.
• Heavier weight blades-(over 90 grams) are often more stable when hit off center and once accelerated, produce a higher speed to spin ratio for topspin attacking shots.
Fast, heavy blades-have the greatest power producing potential if accelerated to maximum speed at ball contact.
Ping Pong Racket Speed Rating
Many different woods are used in modern blade construction. Each wood type has its own unique feel and speed that is inherent to the wood. The speed rating of a racket indicates the integrated pace of the ball relative to other rackets.
What is table tennis reglue effect?
Not all rubbers are designed for use with speed glue. Some rubbers when reglued will provide better results than others. Therefore, we have given each of our rubbers a ‘high', ‘med', ‘low' or ‘not recommended” rating based on how well they will react to speed glue. Generally, the softer the sponge the higher the "reglue effect" will be. This effect will dissipate over time. Some glue will last only a few hours while others will last a number of days, depending on which type you use. The rubbers will remain attached to the blade surface even after the glue effect is gone.
Preassembled Paddles vs. Custom Paddles
Buying one of recreational pre-assembled ping pong paddles will offer you a quality racket at an inexpensive price. It will also help simplify the buying process as the rubber is already assembled to the racket, so there is no need to spend time studying the blade and rubber charts finding the right racket and rubber combination. Recreational preassembled paddles are ideal for intermediate recreational players, the player trying a sponge racket for the first time or inexpensive rackets for the kids. One thing to keep in mind when ordering a recreational paddle is that the rubber is not meant to be removed from the paddle. When the rubber needs to be replaced, it's time to toss the old racket and buy a new one. If you prefer, you can pick the blade and rubber combination that is best suited to your unique style of play. This is known as a custom made racket. Our expert staff will assemble the racket for you free of charge.
What is table tennis speed glue or re-gluing?
Many players apply fresh glue to the sponge side of their rubber before playing. Speed glue is similar to table tennis chack, but there are chemical additives present which increase the speed and spin of your rubber sheet. This new layer of glue will greatly enhance the overall feel of the racket.
Should I use speed glue?
Speed glue is not for everyone. If you are just getting started or consider yourself to be a novice/beginner, you should hold off on the idea of speed gluing for now. If you're an advanced recreational player, aggressive attacker, or just looking for a little extra kick without the hassle of selecting a new blade or rubber sheet, speed glue may just be the thing for you.
Caring For my Ping Pong Racket
Your racket should be protected at all times as the rubber will naturally begin to deteriorate once in use. Dirt, dust and oil will accumulate on the surface during play. It is necessary to clean your rubber during play as well as after each playing session. Specially formulated cleaners and a sponge will rejuvenate your rubber surface and prolong its life span. Protective film will add a layer of defense from the air for your rubber sheets. A racket case will reduce the amount of time your paddle is out in the open and exposed to the elements. The additional padding will also help cushion the blow, should you happen to drop your racket. By all means, keep you racket away from heat. The interior of your car and anywhere your racket will come in contact with direct sunlight are places you should certainly avoid.
Ping Pong Racket "Feel"
The game of table tennis is very much a game of feel and each wood type has its own unique feel that is inherent to the wood. Therefore, we have provided you with this vital piece of information. The “feel” is measured by the amount of response or sensation the racket provides at the point of impact. A racket with a ‘hard' feel will not offer much response. A ‘medium' feel will have a noticeable response while a ‘soft' feel will have the most. From a performance standpoint, a ‘hard' feel is great for hitters and power play. A ‘soft' feel is great for blocking and generating better spin, as the ball remains on the racket longer. A ‘medium' feel is the most prevalent and offers the best of both worlds. It is suited for all styles of play.
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