A ping pong paddle or bat is an important asset in a game of table tennis. With the right ping pong paddle, you can develop and improve your skills or win a game. The choice of a paddle depends on important factors such as your skills level, playing requirements, budget, and convenience.
Parts of a paddle
A ping pong paddle or racket consists of:
- A blade, which is the wooden part of the paddle, and
- The rubbers, which cover both sides of the blade.
Pre-made and custom paddles are the main types of ping pong paddles that you can find in most sports shops and specialty stores.
Pre-made vs. custom
Pre-made paddles, also known as recreational paddles, are sold with rubbers already attached to the blade. Its advantages include:
- inexpensive cost
- ready to use
- simple selection (no need to choose individual paddle and rubbers)
- ideal for beginners and recreational uses
In contrast, custom paddles require assembly of two rubbers and a blade, each sold separately and joined together with special glue. This allows you to:
- put together a paddle that suits your style
- choose a blade of better quality
- use high quality rubbers that can be replaced when worn out or damaged
Rubber
Players move up a notch by choosing to play with custom paddles. If you wish to have a custom paddle, you will have to choose from among the following types of rubber:
- Inverted rubber, also known as reverse or smooth rubber. This type is preferred by aggressive players because it generates high speed levels and produces powerful strokes and forceful spins.
- Pimple rubber, better known as short pips, are suitable for defensive players because this design can alter the rhythm of a game, block and chop well, and produce deceptive returns to an opponent.
- Anti spin rubber has a “no surface” grip which is useful for disrupting the rhythm of a powerful opponent’s game as well.
Blades
Blades are primarily made of natural wood and may be filled with layers of composite material such as carbon fibre, aralyte and glass fibre. All wood paddles generally provide the best feel and better control while composite paddles give better speed and a greater sweet spot.
Beginners and recreational table tennis players usually spend less time choosing their ping pong paddles and opt for pre-made bats. Avid and seasoned players consider more factors before putting together their rubbers and paddles. If you choose a custom paddle, it is best to get an objective analysis of your game style, strengths and weaknesses before purchasing one.
If in doubt, consult a table tennis expert to help you find the best ping pong paddle.
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