When it comes to playing ping pong, a paddle is downright crucial. If it is a war, then the racket serves both your sword and shield.
For beginners out there, choosing the right paddle must be a priority. While it is true that there are thousands of options out there, only the right ones can help you improve your playing style and overall efficiency at the table tennis table.
If this is your goal right now, then I suggest that you check out the simple guidelines in buying a ping pong paddle.
Grip
The first thing that you need to check is the grip. Basically, this is the one that refers to the way you hold the paddle.
Most of the ping pong players today, especially the new ones, are into the shakehand grip. However, it is still not unusual to see people using the penhold grip.
Regardless of your preferences when it comes to this matter, you just need a paddle handle that fits.
For starters, there are two suggested options: straight and flared. A flared handle is great for individuals who grip the paddle somewhat loosely, while the straight handle is quite suitable for players who are inclined to use a tight grip.
Playing Style
The more you play ping pong, the more you realize that everything about this sport boils down on how you improve your strengths. Playing style is always important in this sport, and that can be highlighted in the type of paddle you choose.
Before you pick a paddle, ask this question to yourself: how do you want to play? Do you want to play aggressively, defensively, or with flexibility?
Regardless of your choice, there’s a right kind of paddle that can help you attain your desired performance. Read on to learn more about them.
Blade
The blade is considered as the main body of the paddle. It is the solid component of the racket that gets in contact with the ball.
Keep in mind that the blade can determine the power rating of a particular paddle. If it is light and rigid, it can provide more strength in attacking; if it is heavy and slightly soft, it is suitable for defending.
If you enjoy making powerful and fast attacks, make sure that the blade of the paddle is made of five or more materials. Of course, weight should never be compromised here; the use of light carbon fiber will enable the blade to become thick and light at the same time.
Meanwhile, you deserve an all-wooden blade if you want to become a full-time defender. This kind of blade is heavy, enabling it to absorb and negate the impact of the ball.
Rubber
The next part that you should inspect is the rubber. Depending on the kind of rubber you have, your playing style will be affected–for better or worse.
Specifically, rubbers are gauged on their firmness and tackiness.
The first factor that we will discuss is the tackiness or how much grip can the rubber produce. If it is tacky enough, it can hold the ball so that you will be able to make spinning shots.
The second factor is the firmness. If you couple a soft and tacky rubber, the amount of spin that you can create will be immense.
Of course, if you are focused on attacking, you might want to pick a firm rubber.
Sponge
The sponge is the very layer that goes in between the blade and rubber. It is a misconception that there’s nothing in between these two components.
A sponge plays an essential role in the paddle. It works as a shock absorber so that you can have better control over the ball.
In the standards today, the sponges of high-quality ping pong paddles are usually classified into three: thin, medium, and thick. Players typically pick thick sponge (2 mm or higher) because of its capability to make fast and powerful attacks.
Meanwhile, defensive players tend to pick thinner sponges on their paddles.
Conclusion
If you are going to follow the guidelines that I listed here, it is not that difficult to get a decent ping pong paddle on your first try. Even if you are a beginner, you still deserve to get a paddle that can make your playing experience enjoyable.
You can even bring your family closer with this sport!
That’s it for now. If you have questions, feel free to drop them in the comment section below.
Good write-up. I certainly love this website.
Keep writing!