Table tennis is the world’s most popular racket sport that can be played indoors or outdoors, as a competitive sport or simply for recreation. When playing for competitions, choosing ping pong paddles is important because these affect ball spin, speed, placement and strategy.

Kinds of paddles

• Pre-made rackets: These bats are sold with rubbers already attached to the blade and are generally used for recreational purposes. These inexpensive and ready-to-use rackets are great for beginners and non competitive players.

• Custom paddles: These rackets must be assembled before they can be used. To build your own bat, you will need to purchase two rubbers and a blade of your choice and fuse them together using a special glue. Table tennis rules allow you to install different types of rubber on either side of the racket. Custom ping pong paddles are suitable for competitive players because they can put together the best blade and rubbers for their games. A custom racket also makes it easy for you to replace worn out or damaged rubbers.

Parts of the racket

• Blade: this is the wooden part of the racket which may be combined with other materials such as cork, glass fiber, carbon fiber, aluminum fiber and aralyte. An all natural wood blade provides the best feel and great control while the composite blade is good if you want greater speed during play.

• Rubbers: cover both sides of the bat and may be pimpled or smooth. A pimpled surface, also known as short pips, is for a defensive player whose strategy is to change the rhythm of a game, block and chop well, and produce deceptive returns to an opponent.

On the other hand, the smooth or reverse pimpled rubber is for the aggressive player whose strategy consists of high speed plays, powerful strokes and forceful spins.

A table tennis racket determines the kind of game you play because it can be used to control the ball’s speed and spin. But this does not mean that you should run out and buy the most expensive paddle you can find.

Your choice among the many kinds of ping pong paddles will depend on your skills and purpose of playing. If playing for recreation or just starting out, a pre made racket is convenient and sufficient. But if you want to develop your game or are practicing for competition, then you’ll have to invest in high quality rubbers and a blade for your custom bat.

Choosing the Right Ping Pong Paddles for Competitive Play is a post from: Table Tennis Experts

Whether your playing for recreation or competitive sports, knowing what ping pong paddles to buy can make or break your game.

Table tennis continues to be the top racket sport around the world because it provides hours of fun and a complete physical workout and challenges your skills.

Because much of your skills and strategy depends on your racket, deciding whether to buy a pre made or custom paddle or its individual parts requires some careful thought.

Here are some expert tips for choosing the correct ping pong paddles:

• Selecting rubber

Rubbers cover both sides of the paddle surface or blades and can be of various types:

Smooth inverted and sticky: These are the most preferred rubbers because they produce high speeds, powerful strokes and forceful spins for offensive plays.

Pips or pimpled rubber surfaces: These give faster and more direct shots, reverses the opponents spin for great defensive playing.

Anti-spin rubber: This is ideally used for defensive playing to reverse the opponent’s spins although most competitive players use a combination of anti-spin and long pips for better control of the game.

• Choosing the blade

Blades must be at least 85% natural wood. The rest of the blade can be made of composite materials like glass or carbon fiber. Carbon blades strengthen the blade and provide a larger sweet spot.

But beginners and recreational players may no longer feel confused when choosing the right kind of blades or materials as manufacturers now provide speed ratings to guide buyers in their selection. As a rule of thumb, a slower blade gives better control while a faster blade is good for offensive shots but has little control.

Over 70: this is a fast blade which is suitable for offensive players but offer less control.

50 – 70: is an all-around range that beginners and recreational players may also use.

Slower blades are for defensive plays because these provide better control.

• Choosing the sponge

In between the blade and rubber is a sponge layer between 1.2 mm to 2.5 mm thick. A thin sponge gives you better control while a thick one produces more speed but little control.

Recreational players can still buy pre made ping pong paddles for their convenience as these are increasingly manufactured using high quality materials. But if you are thinking of improving your game, investing in a custom racket is more cost effective in the long run because it is easier to replace rubbers as your skills develop.

Expert Guide for Choosing Ping Pong Paddles is a post from: Table Tennis Experts

Table tennis is a highly competitive sport that requires plenty of practice and the right racket to excel in it which is why table tennis experts recommend that beginners spend some time choosing their ping pong paddles.

Parts of a table tennis racket

A racket has two general parts, the blade which is the wooden portion and the rubbers which cover both sides of the blade.

• Blade

Table tennis rules require rackets to be at least 85% natural wood. The remaining percentage is often made of composite materials like carbon fiber which strengthens the paddle and provides a large sweet spot or aralyte, which helps dampen vibration and has a softer feel than carbon. Beginners don’t need to buy one with carbon layers just yet as they still need to develop their skills and playing style.

• Rubber

Rubbers can be smooth or reverse type or pimpled or pips. Start with a quality smooth rubber on both sides because these allow you to try and develop various play styles before focusing on a specific one for professional play. Pimples or short pips are good only for limited strokes and spins and are ideal for more specialized playing styles.

• Sponge

In between the rubbers and the blade is a layer of sponge measuring anywhere from 1.2 mm to 2.5 mm thick. A thin sponge layer gives you better control and is best suited for beginners who are developing their game while a thicker sponge gives less control but faster speeds suitable for more seasoned players.

Price

While investing in the best quality you can afford may be more cost effective, you don’t have to purchase the most expensive ping pong paddles to play well. But if you’re serious about developing your skills and playing style, even as a beginner, choosing a custom bat over a pre made one is a must.

A custom bat may cost more than a pre made paddle but it has the added advantage of allowing you to replace rubbers when worn out or damaged or upgrade its parts as your skills develop.

After buying your blade, rubbers and sponge, you’ll have to put these together using a special glue. Manufacturers sometimes offer assembly as a service to their clients; otherwise, getting it done by someone with experience will save you from costly mistakes.

Buying good covers for ping pong paddles also protects them from sunlight, liquid spills and other harsh conditions so they last longer.

Beginner’s Guide to Ping Pong Paddles is a post from: Table Tennis Experts

Table tennis is one of the world’s most popular racket sport with hundreds of millions playing the game for recreation, exercise or competition. As table tennis tables are set up in schools, health clubs, sports centers and most homes, ping pong paddles and balls are all you need to get a game going.

Your table tennis bat or racket is your personal partner that can make or break your game which is why most players carefully choose their rackets.

Each racket is composed of two parts: the blade and the rubbers.

• Blade: This is generally made of wood and can be combined with other materials to create different kinds of play for as long as 85% is natural wood. Manufacturers may add carbon fiber to strengthen and stiffen the blade for increased speeds or aralyte which has a softer feel than carbon for reduced vibration and also increased sweet spot.

• Rubbers: These cover both sides of the blade and can be pimpled, reverse or anti spin rubbers.

* Pimpled or short pips are often used by defensive players who want a paddle that can alter the rhythm and speed of the game, block and chop well, and hand deceptive returns to the opponent.

* Reverse or smooth rubber is chosen by aggressive players who want to produce powerful strokes and forceful spins as this material promotes high speed plays.

* Anti spin rubber has a “no surface” grip often preferred by defensive players whose strategy is to disrupt the rhythm of a powerful opponent’s game.

Buying your first table tennis racket can be easy if you know your skills level and type of play.

There are two kinds of bats: pre made and custom.

• Pre made bats are ready made paddles that are easily found in sports stores and specialty shops. These are less expensive than custom made bats and are ideal for beginners and recreational players.

• Custom bats require separate purchases of the blade and rubbers which are then joined together using special glue. Seasoned and competitive players often choose the parts of their rackets according to their skills, playing style and strategy. Custom rackets offer the practical advantage of being able to replace the rubbers when they are worn out, damaged or no longer suitable for your playing style.

Price should be the least of your considerations when choosing ping pong paddles. However, this does not mean that you should buy the most expensive racket nor does an inexpensive racket imply poor quality. Instead, you should buy one that enhances your skills and promotes your game plan.

Ping Pong Paddles Buyers Guide is a post from: Table Tennis Experts

After a tiring day, a game of table tennis is a way to release the tension from work, school or any stressful activities. It can also provide you with all the entertainment you need to make your day truly fun. Any indoor or outdoor ping pong table can be all that you need.

If you are a person who is serious in the sport or want to be in the professional level, owning an outdoor table tennis table will help you to be more fit while enjoying the sunshine. Entertain your guest or neighbors with the peaceful sun outside.

To make sure purchase can be considered an investment. There are several tips you must remember.

Go for quality rather cost

There are different types of tables sold in the market. In selecting the right kind of table tennis table, it is important that you consider the quality of the table you are going to buy. It may be so that the table does not cost too much, but you have to replace it every time.

Doing so will be much expensive after you add up all the cost of the tables you have bought. Another is, using low quality equipment will affect how your game will turn out to be.

If you are planning to enter competitions and your table is not fit to be used in those kinds of game, then buying it and practicing with it will become useless.

Most of the outdoor tables are made of aluminum. What’s most important regarding tables is it can stand the moist and other elements present in the surrounding.

Check its thickness

In order to make your game near to what’s happening in competitions, you need to check on the thickness of the ping pong table. There are certain standards applied to it. Your level of play becomes more realistic if you use this kind of table.

The height of the balls bounce depends on the materials used to make the table and how thick it is. Table tops are usually ¾ to 7/8 of an inch thick. Preferring a table with this specification can help you in achieving the quality of game you want to have.

Training to become a great table tennis player does not only rely on practice but also with the kind of equipment you use. Using outdoor ping pong tables that can provide you a more realistic game helps in improving yourself now. If you are interested to learn more about the different outdoor tables available in the market now, click here.

How Selecting an Outdoor Ping Pong table Can Affect Your Game is a post from: Table Tennis Experts

You might be thinking what makes butterfly table tennis tables different from other brands present in the market. This is a usually question that pops into your mind when deciding on what we is think is right for us.

Before deciding on which one to purchase, you should first know what you want in a table tennis table. This will help you choose which table is perfect for you.

Competitive or recreational?

With the numerous lines of butterfly table available in the market, find the type that will suit your preference. There are ones that cater to serious players while there are also those that are directed to recreational players. The prices for each choice vary.

Despite all these choices that you have to make, there is one thing that you should remember. Good equipment can help you achieve the greatest performance in any sport. A trusted brand is needed for you to achieve the game you want.

Since 1950, Butterfly has been a popular brand among table tennis lovers; making it reputable. You are assured of the quality the brand can provide you and the kind of game you will experience using this equipment.

Indoor or outdoor?

Where do you want to play? There are table tennis players who prefer playing indoors. You can use it as a form of entertainment for the whole family or when there are guests in the house.

Once you feel like playing you can just bring the table out and your are ready for a game. The Butterfly Compact Wheelaway and the Butterfly Home Rollaway are some of the lines popularly used for home purposes. After a great game, you can easily fold the table and store it until your next game.

If it is sunny outside and you want to enjoy the great weather while practicing, there is always the outdoor table tennis table ready to be used.

The Butterfly Ultimate Outdoor and Butterfly Park Outdoor are great selections to choose from. These tables are durable. It can stand any pressures, temperatures and the environment. The materials used for this product is aimed at making sure your game can be as perfect as ever outdoors.

The kind of table you will choose depends on your playing habits and what your goal is while playing. If you are practicing for a competition or playing for fun, there is a specific table for you.

Butterfly table tennis tables can suit the different personalities of each player. Check out the different kinds of tables here, and bring home one that’s perfect for you.

There is a Butterfly Table Tennis Table that’s Perfect for You is a post from: Table Tennis Experts

There are a variety of outdoor table tennis tables on today’s market to suit just about any level of player. Most outdoor tennis tables feature an aluminum or waterproof wood composite top to resist the elements, along with features that enable better ease of moving and storage.

From the popular Butterfly outdoor table tennis table to the impressive Stiga line and world class Killerspin, those looking for an outdoor tennis table for improving their game or hosting competitions are sure to find a ping pong table to meet their needs.

When it comes to outdoor table tennis tables, the Butterfly is the most common table tennis table used in tournaments by far. This outdoor table has been used in the table tennis circuit since 1954, and the price is surprisingly affordable for most table tennis players.

Also, the reliable and trusted Stiga line of table tennis tables is popular with some of the world’s most competitive table tennis athletes. Introduced in 1944, the Stiga outdoor table tennis table offers a mid-level price with an attractive design. With the Stiga brand name, you are getting an outdoor table tennis table from a company that works with professional players on a routine basis, so quality and performance are assured.

Among American manufacturers, the outdoor table tennis table has not been around as long as in some other countries, but the Killerspin outdoor table is an attractive option that offers state of the art quality and durability, along with increased functionality and a number of attractive options.

Find Outdoor Table Tennis Tables here: Products Online

Which Outdoor Table Tennis Table? is a post from: Table Tennis Experts