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A table tennis bat is, as it were, a 'racquet' or padel that is used to play the ping-pong hit the ball in table tennis.
It is made of wood and has rubber elements that are sticky to give the ball special effects.
What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
- 1 Bat parts and how they affect speed, spin and control
- 2 Speed, spin and control
- 3 How do I make my table tennis bat sticky?
- 4 Which side of a ping pong paddle is for the forehand?
- 5 Are bats covered with sandpaper legal?
- 6 What makes a ping pong bat good?
- 7 Why do ping pong paddles have 2 colors?
- 8 What is a good bat?
- 9 Can I make my own bat?
- 10 Which is the most expensive ping pong bat ever?
- 11 What is the difference between the red and black side of a paddle?
Bat parts and how they affect speed, spin and control
There are two main parts that make up a paddle:
- the blade (the wooden part, which also includes the handle)
- and the rubber (including the sponge).
Blade and handle
The blade is usually constructed from 5 to 9 layers of wood and may contain other types of materials such as carbon or titanium carbon.
Depending on the number of layers (more layers equals stiffer) and the materials used (carbon makes the blade stronger and keeps it very light), the blade can be flexible or stiff.
A stiff blade will transfer most of the energy from the shot to the ball, resulting in a faster racket.
On the other hand, a more flexible absorbs handle part of the energy and causes the ball to slow down.
The handle can be of 3 types:
- flared (various)
- anatomically
- Law
A flared grip is thicker at the bottom to prevent the bat, also called a paddle, from slipping out of your hand. It is by far the most popular.
The anatomic one is wider in the middle to fit the shape of your palm and the straight one, is the same width from top to bottom.
If you're not sure which one to go for, try a few different handles at the shops or at your friends' houses, or else go for the one with the flared handle.
Rubber and sponge
Depending on the stickiness of the rubber and the thickness of the sponge, you will be able to put more or less spin on the ball.
The softness and tackiness of the rubber are determined by the technology used and the different treatments applied when they are manufactured.
A softer rubber will hold the ball more (dwell time) giving it more spin. A stickier, or sticky rubber, will of course also put more spin on the ball.
Speed, spin and control
All of the above features give the paddle varying amounts of speed, spin and control. Here are some helpful things to consider when choosing your paddle:
Speed
That's pretty simple, it refers to the maximum speed you can give the ball.
Buying a better and faster paddle doesn't mean you have to put less energy into your stroke than before.
You will feel the difference with your old bat enormously.
Most manufacturers give their bats a speed rating: a bat for an attacking player has a speed rating of more than 80.
For example, a bat for the more cautious, defensive player has a speed rating of 60 or less.
So you always have to make a choice between speed and control, or for balance.
Beginner players should buy a slow bat with a speed rating of 60 or less, so that they make fewer mistakes.
Spin
The paddle's ability to generate a good amount of spin is usually determined by the quality of the rubber (the weight of the racket also plays a part, albeit a somewhat more minor one).
The stickier and softer, the more spin you will be able to give the ball.
While speed is only crucial for attacking players, spin is important for all types of players.
Offensive players rely on it to execute forehand loops faster, while defensive players need to make huge amounts of backspin cause when slicing the ball.
Control
Control is a combination of spin and speed.
Beginners should aim for a slower, more controllable paddle, while amateurs and experts can opt for more powerful paddles.
But ultimately, unlike speed and spin, control can be improved by players' skills.
So don't worry if the bat is a little difficult to control at first.
Curious about all the rules (and myths) of table tennis? You will find them here!
How do I make my table tennis bat sticky?
Spread sunflower oil on the ping pong rubber and rub it in. Let it dry and repeat the process a few times until you get the desired stickiness. The great thing about this is that you can do this as often as you want! Another good way to make your paddle sticky is to clean the paddle.
Which side of a ping pong paddle is for the forehand?
Because red is generally faster and a little less spinning, professionals usually use a red rubber for the forehand and black for their backhand. The best Chinese players use the black, sticky rubber side for their forehands.
Are bats covered with sandpaper legal?
In general, it is NOT legal to use a table tennis bat with sandpaper, but it depends on the rules of the competition you are participating in.
What makes a ping pong bat good?
The best ping pong paddle for spin should have relief in the rubber to create a smooth surface for the ball to bounce against. In addition, attacking players should look for a hard paddle to generate enough power.
Why do ping pong paddles have 2 colors?
In most cases, different colored ping pong paddles have their own advantage on each side. For example, the black side provides less spin than the red, and vice versa. This allows the players to turn the bat around if they want to return the ball in a certain way.
What is a good bat?
A good paddle makes a huge difference to your playing style. One with soft rubber gives more grip on the ball, allowing you to slow down the game and give good ball effects. Great for defenders. If you want to attack more, so hit harder and with a lot top spin, then you can play better with firmer rubber.
Can I make my own bat?
Making your own bat is fun, but most amateurs and novice players are better off buying a bat that is already rubberized. You don't have to glue anything and you avoid the risk of doing something wrong. Most novice players are better off with a premade all-round bat.
Which is the most expensive ping pong bat ever?
Whatever rubber you put on the Nittaku Resoud bat, you'll always have the most expensive ping pong paddle available. The price is $2.712 (considered the Stradivarius of ping pong bats).
What is the difference between the red and black side of a paddle?
To help a player distinguish between different types of rubber used by his opponent, regulations specify that one side of a bat must be red while the other side must be black. Approved rubbers bear the ITTF decal.
