How to choose a table tennis racket?

At first glance, choosing a racket for table tennis should not be difficult. However, in practice, even professional players may have difficulty getting lost in a huge assortment of models. What do manufacturers offer us today? What are the main distinguishing features of expensive and cheap rackets? How to choose a table tennis racket for a professional, or, on the contrary, a beginner? It is to these questions that we will try to give answers in this article.

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What is the inventory?

Rackets for playing table tennis are bought individually, which means that each user will have to select it exclusively for themselves.

Play style

Before you buy sports equipment, you must first decide on the style of the game. The style of table tennis is divided into:

• Protective (DEF).
• Attacking (OFF, OFF +).

But what depends on the chosen style?

• For starters - the thickness of the pad for rackets.
• Then their properties - if it is OFF + or OFF, that is, the game is characterized by a small amount of aggression, then it is better to choose equipment with the necessary speed characteristics.
• For a defensive and more relaxed style when trimming or twisting is used, it is better to give preference to models with overlays that facilitate torsion.

Types of equipment

Modern manufacturers produce the following types of table tennis rackets:

• Fully finished, with one star - perfect for beginners in this game.
• Fully finished, with two or three stars - for table tennis lovers.
• With four or five stars - for more experienced players.
• National teams, which consist of a base and separate overlays, these models are good for professional players.

Important! The latter species has only one, but a significant drawback is the high price. Since the pads, base and special glue should be bought separately, the total cost increases markedly. But the price of equipment for fans can be 4 times lower than the cost of a prefabricated model.

Product Weight

• The weight of the product, taking into account the lining, can vary from 150 to 200 g.
• And in the case without it - 75-110 g.

Important! The thickness of the handle will depend on the individual characteristics of the player’s brush.

Other options

The speed of the ball bouncing will depend on the following points:

• The number of layers at the base (3-9).
• The type of wood the racket is made of.
• The presence, as well as the sequence arrangement of graphite interlayers.

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Foundation selection

Before choosing a tennis racket for table tennis in the online store, it is better to familiarize yourself with the existing models firsthand. To do this, you should come to the nearest point of sale and first select the grounds that you liked.

What should I pay attention to:

• Is the racket comfortable in your hand?
• Does the base slip during a strong wave of the hand.
• Does the inventory seem unnecessarily heavy.

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Main characteristics

There are three main indicators that can characterize a racket class:

• The control.
• Speed.
• Rotational ability.

Important! These indicators are evaluated by points, although the scale of indicators may also be different for different manufacturers. The maximum score can be equal to 10 or 100 points.

Helpful hints:

• The most common misconception is choosing a racket on the advice of a consultant or trainer. In fact, the player himself must, as they say, feel the racket.
• Acquisition of an overlay also needs “live contact”. Of course, it’s better to try several models, from which to choose one that is better than the others.

Important! Remember that not everything depends on the equipment for the game. Having got used to one overlay, you can switch to another model - your skills will not get lost from this, but you can win the game.

• For professional players, it is advisable to have additional equipment in the arsenal with an identical pad - in case of an unexpected case of damage to the main one.

Important! The traditional grounds are intended to be played on both sides. Therefore, on each of them different overlays are glued - attacking and protective. Thus, it is possible to change the style of the game, as a trump card using the confusion of the opponent.

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Lining combinations

To choose a racket for table tennis, you should also understand what combinations of pads are available. In modern table tennis, the following main types of combinations are used:

• Rackets with the same pads on both sides. Moreover, each of them has individual characteristics. Visually lining look identically smooth, similar to each other. However, one of the surfaces rotates the ball much better, and the second - faster. Typically, during a match, players do not flip such rackets.
• Rackets with different types of pads. More appropriate for an active game. In this case, one surface is studded, and the other is quite smooth. These types of rackets are turned over only when serving.
• Rackets for attacking, destructive games. Here, an overlay is glued on one of the surfaces for an attacking, active game, and on the other - to respond to an opponent’s attacks. The result is a balance of a smoother lining and anti-spin lining or with long spikes. During the game, such a racket is turned over not only during the pitch, but often during the match.

Important! Keep in mind that playing with different overlays requires certain skills from the player. If you chose such a racket, then you need to learn the technique of rotation during the match. Change the pace of the game, control the rhythm, confuse the opponent - the outcome of the game will largely depend on the correct application of overlays.

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Manufacturers

When choosing a racket for table tennis, it is better for a novice player to pay attention to the inventory of recognized manufacturers. Of these, the following companies can be named:

• Donic
• Stiga.
• Butterfly
• Joola.
• Cornilleau.
• Adidas.

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Cost

Another mistake for beginners is to purchase exclusively the most expensive equipment, because not always the most expensive is the best. It is quite difficult for a novice player to navigate in the prices, since in appearance very similar racquets can significantly differ in price:

• High-quality and correctly selected equipment is rotation, speed, ball control. An inconvenient and cheap model will significantly reduce the possibilities, especially in an attack.
• If it is not possible to purchase a branded expensive racket, then there is always the option to buy used equipment from one of the well-known manufacturers. Used racquets cost approximately $ 20 to $ 60.

Important! If you want to save and extend the life of your inventory, it is advisable to purchase a cover for it.

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Racket for any weather

When choosing a racket for table tennis, you should take into account the surrounding conditions.

If sports equipment will be used both indoors and outdoors, it is advisable to pay attention to all-weather options. They are resistant to temperature changes, are not afraid of mechanical stress and excessive humidity.Such products do not lose their qualities even if they get into dirt and sand - it is all about the presence of special spikes that resemble a tire tread.

A fairly strong and durable inventory will not go bad. Even if you leave it for a long time in the rain or in the heat, the pad will not peel off and the rubber surface will not deteriorate.

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Stock footage

The choice of a racket for table tennis is an individual matter. The main thing is that there is an assortment and the ability to choose an inventory of various characteristics and price categories. When buying, you must take into account the level of the athlete, and the conditions in which the matches will take place. Budget options are more suitable for beginners, and professionals will have to spend on more expensive equipment. But with the right approach, the result will be appropriate.