Ping-Pong Paddles
Ping-pong paddles are important, as a good paddle can make your game while a bad one can break your game. It does not matter whether you have just started playing ping-pong or you are playing ping-pong at a professional level: the right paddle will give you an edge and improve your game. When you are buying yourself a ping-pong paddle, consider the following.
Decide on Your Style
Before looking for ping-pong paddles, you have to decide what type of grip you want. Ping-pong paddles come with rubber either on one side or on both sides. It is the grip that will decide which ping-pong paddle you should purchase. You should spend some time finding the perfect grip before you buy the paddle. The most common grips are the shake-hands grip and the pen-hold grip, but there are other types of grips as well. Be sure to try them out and see which suits your style. After you become accustomed to the paddle, you can gradually move on to ping-pong paddles with more advanced grips.
Surface Area Blade
The surface area of a ping-pong paddle determines the spin of the ball. Beginners should start off with a smooth rubber surface, and as you progress you can opt for sponged-surface or pimpled-surface ping-pong paddles, whichalter the speed and spin of the stroke. In tournaments, players are asked to bring paddles that are black on one side and red on other so the other player knows which surface is being used to return or serve the ball.
Type of Handle
You will need to try out the different types of handle in person to determine which is best for you. The most common types of handle are flared handles and straight handles. The general rule is that flare handles are best for hitting forehand shots, while straight handles help you shoot backhand more easily. Either way, you will have to grip the paddle in your hand and try out a few shots before you decide which type best suits your play style.
Keep Things Simple
If you are just starting out, you don’t need to complicate things by buying ping-pong paddles that are aimed for professional use. Choosing something that is difficult to handle will not help your game – rather, it will serve as a hindrance and might demotivate you. You should only invest in high-priced professional equipment when you understand the different strokes and different blades on ping-pong paddles and what they will help you achieve.
Ping-pong paddles are available from various stores and online shops. When buying equipment online, be sure to know what you are getting – it is always best if you test beforehand what the feel, grip, and performance of a particular ping-pong paddle is like. Some companies offer the service of mounting your choice of blade on your paddle, and it is absolutely necessary to take them up on this offer if you do not know how to put on the blade on your paddle yourself.