How to choose a table tennis racquet? | Price comparison e-Catalog

Racquet construction

Each racquet consists of two main structural elements:

Foundation. This is an internal, most often wooden or plastic part, which is a handle connected to the blade (one-piece construction). The base is designed to transmit translational movements to the ball. Each blade has its own speed (on hit) and control (rebound on hit). Overlays are glued on top of the base.

Base

Overlay. Part of a racquet consisting of one layer of rubber and one or more layers of polymeric material (sponge). Like the blade, rubbers have speed and control characteristics. But besides this, the pads are responsible for giving the ball spin - the higher the spin rate, the more you can twist or cut the ball.

Pad with single layer sponge

Types of rackets

Table tennis rackets are of the following types:

Ready racquet. This is a racquet in which the manufacturer has glued the base and lining, and sells it ready-made without additional elements. The finished racquet will suit players of different levels of play and especially those who do not want to assemble it themselves by gluing. Also, rotation and impact indicators are given for each product, so when buying, a person knows exactly what characteristics it will have. However, the ready-made inventory does not allow you to combine linings with different indicators of speed and rotation and install components from another company (the lining is tightly glued and you simply cannot peel it off). For this reason, professional tournament players who need to constantly change their style of play should pay attention to prefabricated rackets.

Popular Table Rackets

Team racquet. This type of inventory consists of two overlays and a base, purchased separately from each other. The advantage of such racquets is the ability to create a model that is perfect for the style of a tennis player, as well as change pads for different strikes (for example, on one side there can be a protective pad with a speed of 30, and on the other an attacking pad with a speed of 100). The replacement of the rubber is made in 15 minutes, so it can be done even during the tournament. The downside is the need to always have glue for the linings with you, as well as be able to cut them correctly (originally sold square) and glue them. Also, a prefabricated racquet will cost more than a finished one.

Racquet pad

Set. Buying a set, you get two rackets and some balls. Some sets have a grid for the table. The set is useful for those who want to save money and buy all the inventory at once “in one fell swoop”. At the same time, all the elements are conveniently stored in a case. However, it is worth remembering that rackets in sets are intended exclusively for beginners and amateurs - it is better for experienced players to take a closer look at ready-made or prefabricated rackets.

Rackets with balls set

Playing style

Each ready-made racquet and prefabricated elements are designed for a specific style of play. Knowing your style, you can easily choose the right model:

Protective. It is characterized by playing at short distances with frequent undercuts and twists of the ball. Protective type rackets have control and rotation indicators from 50 to 100 (conventional units), and speeds up to 60. In the case of prefabricated models, pay attention to the thickness of the sponge (the bottom layer of the lining). For protective overlays, the thickness is from 1.5 to 1.8 mm (on the “spikes” the sponge can be 0.5 mm). Defensive blades have speed indicators from 25 to 50. At the same time, remember an important point for prefabricated models: the speed of the entire racquet is determined by the sum of the speed of the base and the speed of the lining, divided by two. For example, at the base, the speed is 25, and at the overlay, 60. Then the speed of the racquet will be (25+60)/2=42.5. This should be taken into account when assembling a racquet so that it does not come out very “deaf” with a weak rebound.
Universal. This type of game is characterized by playing at medium distances (at a distance of about a meter from the table), with frequent undercuts and twists, as well as attacks in the middle and far part of the table. Of course, the features of the universal style of play for each person may be different, because of this, each racquet model has its own (different from others) indicators. The universal type of ready-made rackets is characterized by speed indicators from 70 to 90, control up to 90, and rotation from 70 to 100. The thickness of the pads varies from 1.8 to 2.0 mm. For blades, the speed and control score can be between 70 and 100.
Attacker. An attacking style player makes frequent backhand shots and top spins (hitting with high ball spin). To do this, he will need a racquet with speed and rotation indicators from 80 to 100. Naturally, the control will be lower, and for finished rackets it is up to 70 units. The thickness of the sponge of the overlays for the attacking style is from 2.0 to 2.5 mm (pointer "Max"). The attacking base usually has speed in the range of 90 - 100, and control up to 70.

Offensive table rackets

Base material

If all linings are made of rubber and polymer sponge (they can differ only in the quality of the material itself, depending on the manufacturer), then the base can be made from several fundamentally different materials:

Tree. The most popular type of raw material used for the production of bases. Usually plywood or multi-layer veneer (from 2 to 9 layers) from coniferous trees is used. More expensive, but at the same time lighter and with better rebound performance, is balsa (wood species). The wooden material is characterized by a good rebound and a great sense of vibration transferred to the player's hand during the take. Also, only rackets with a wooden base can be played in professional tournaments (they have the appropriate ITTF marking). However, the wooden base can deteriorate from moisture, so you can’t play with it outdoors in wet and rainy weather.

wooden base

Plastic. Plastic bases are not afraid of moisture, so they can be played outdoors even in light rain. Unlike wood, they do not exfoliate and are almost eternal. They can withstand falls from heights and hits on the table well, so they will be a good option for children. Polymer rackets have a beautiful design - especially for the female sex. However, their rebound and reception performance is much weaker than that of wooden ones, so they are suitable only for novice players. Professionals should pay attention to wooden models.

plastic racquet

Carbon inserts. Carbon fiber inserts increase the attacking performance of the blade and reduce its weight. They can be present in both wooden and plastic bases, ready-made and prefabricated rackets. But if for wooden bases carbon inserts are not very important (indicators of speed, rotation and control can be at a maximum), then in plastic ones they significantly increase the playing characteristics. Therefore, if the difference in price between plastic and plastic with carbon is not fundamental for you, then take the second one.

Wooden base with carbon inserts

Basalt inserts. Some manufacturers are using new technologies like Fiber Volcanics and adding extracts from volcanic basalt rock to wooden bases. According to them, a person gets a "soft" feeling of the ball when taken. To date, basalt inserts are found exclusively in bases for prefabricated rackets. Their cost is very high, so only professional players who constantly participate in tournaments buy them.

Wooden base with basalt inserts

Handle shape

There are three types of handle shapes:

Flared. It is also called conical - it is narrowed towards the connection with the blade, and expanded towards the bottom. A racquet with such a handle will suit someone who is used to holding it closer to the bottom (the place of expansion), and at the same time, the area between the thumb and forefinger will not rest against the blade, and rub accordingly.

Model with flared handle

Direct. The straight handle has the same width along its entire length. If you hold it with the usual standard grip, then with sharp blows it can simply slip out of your hand (especially if your hands are sweaty). Therefore, this type of handle is suitable for those who are used to playing with a “feather” or, as it is popularly called “in Chinese”, in which the player holds the racquet with the middle, index and thumb at the junction of the blade and the handle, and the end of the handle rests against the area between thumb and forefinger. A flared handle would be uncomfortable for this style of play.

Straight handle

Anatomical. The most convenient type of handles, as they have an anatomical shape (each edge is wavy and fits easily under the fingers). A racquet with such a handle can be played in different styles. Therefore, for those who are just starting to play table tennis and have not yet decided what style to play, the model with an anatomical handle will be very convenient.

Anatomical handle

Relatively recently, manufacturers began to produce models of rackets with the ability to adjust the center of gravity. To do this, the handle has a hole with a cassette into which weights are placed. Thanks to this, you can adjust the balance point depending on your playing style. By adding weights, you will increase the weight of the racquet and slightly increase its speed characteristics, and by removing it, you will make it more “protective”.

Table rackets with adjustable center of gravity

conclusions

For beginners and amateurs, ready-made rackets made of wood or polymer material are suitable. Advanced players will appreciate models with the ability to adjust the center of gravity. Professionals should take a closer look at the prefabricated rackets and choose the components in accordance with their style of play. If you want to buy rackets for your employees to play during breaks, then it is best to take a set - this is both savings and immediately the right amount of all components. For outdoor games, polymer models will be the best option.