Table Tennis Bat Buying Guide
Everything you need to know about table tennis bats
Table tennis (or ping pong as it is also known as) is a sport that combines fast reflexes with strategic thinking and a touch of finesse. The sport uses a compact racket that is unique to table tennis, and in this guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at the design of table tennis bats, covering their history, parts, dimensions, weight and types.
Whether you are a beginner just learning the basics, an intermediate refining their technique or an advanced player that competes in elite tournaments, this guide will cover everything you need to know about table tennis bats.
THE HISTORY OF TABLE TENNIS BATS
The origin of table tennis can be dated back to the 1880s when Victorians invented the sport as something they could play outdoors. The sport was adapted from tennis which was very popular at the time. It would utilise a table, and some makeshift paddles which were usually made from cigarette boxes as well as a ball which was made from strings and cork.
As the sport gained popularity in England, more bats were made, and in 1901 a man called E.C. Goode attached pimpled rubber to a wooden blade, enabling players to generate spin. Other variations included bats with sandpaper which would also help players to generate spin.
In 1926, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was formed, and from then on, they set standards for how bats should be designed. In the 1950’s they introduced sponge which dramatically increased the speed and spin of table tennis bats. Since then, technology has advanced, and table tennis bats now use a combination of carbon fibre and various wood types.
The ITTF has continued to police table tennis bats since their formation, and over the years they have banned things like speed glue to make sure table tennis bats fall within their regulations.
PARTS OF A TABLE TENNIS BAT
A table tennis bat is made up of various different parts which contribute to a bat's overall performance. Below is a breakdown of the parts that make up a table tennis bat:
Blade – Starting at the base, the blade is the flat wooden portion of the bat. The blade is the ‘middle’ part of a bat and the other parts that make up a table tennis bat are attached to the blade. Blades are usually made with wood but sometimes can be partially made with carbon fibre. The layers of material and thickness of a blade can affect the speed, control and feel of the bat, and experts see the blade as the main part that can differentiate one table tennis bat from another.
Rubber – The rubber is the covering material which is attached to both sides of the blade. Typically, one side of the blade has a red rubber covering and the other side has black rubber. This is because there are advantages to each side e.g. the black side may allow for more spin than the red side which would be used for power. It can also feature a pimple surface or a layer of sponge which can influence speed and spin. The rubber is the part of the bat that makes contact with the ball.
Sponge – This is the layer of foam which is located between the rubber and blade. The sponge’s thickness and hardness can greatly affect the speed and spin that is generated. The thicker the sponge, the more speed and spin you can generate. It is recommended that beginners use bats with a thinner sponge and professionals use a thicker sponge.
Glue – A specialised glue is used to attach the rubber to the blade. The glue type used can affect the rubbers performance and how well it bonds to the blade. The ITTF have placed restrictions on the types of glue which can be used.
Handle – The handle is the part of the bat that the player grips. They can come in various shapes including flared, straight, anatomic and Penhold. These handles accommodate different grip styles which come down to the players preference.
TABLE TENNIS BAT DIMENSIONS & REGULATIONS
Table tennis bats are smaller than the rackets used in other racket sports. The ITTF do not have specific size regulations for table tennis bats, and in theory the racket can be any size, shape or weight as long as the blade is flat and rigid.
With that said, whilst the ITTF don’t have set dimensions to follow, most table tennis paddles are similar in size. Most ping pong bats have a blade length of 17 cm (6.7in), a blade width of 15cm (5.9in) and an overall length between 24-26cm (9.45-10.25in).
The ITTF do have regulations for the characteristics of the bat’s surface and build. For example, as well as being flat and rigid, 85% of the blade thickness must be natural wood. The face material also has thickness limitations. It can either feature ordinary pimpled rubber which is a maximum of 3.0mm or sandwich rubber (sponge rubber) which must have a maximum of 4.0mm. Of course, the main rule which most people may see when they look at any table tennis bat is that one side is black, and the other is red.
| Table Tennis Bat Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Parts | Typical Size (cm) | Typical Size (inches) |
| Blade Width | 14.5 -16cm | 5.7 – 6.3 Inches |
| Blade Length (Excluding Handle) | 15.5 – 17cm | 6.1 -6.7 Inches |
| Handle Length | 10 – 11.5cm | 3.9 – 4.5 Inches |
| Total Paddle Length | 24 – 27cm | 9.4 – 10.6 Inches |
OUR RANGE OF TABLE TENNIS BATS
Vermont Table Tennis Bats & Balls Set
Level - Beginner
Material – Rubber casing, Plywood
This bat and ball set is perfect for recreational play and beginners of all ages. It comes with 2 bats and 3 balls.
Vermont Strike Table Tennis Bat [Intro]
Level – Beginner
Bat Thickness – 6.1 +/-3 mm
Performance stats – Speed: 90, Spin: 87, Control 85
Material – 1.8mm thick sponge, 0.7mm Rubber Pips
This is our beginners table tennis bat, featuring built in sponge for better control and medium speed levels, this bat will help you develop your technique.
Vermont Aero Table Tennis Bat [Club]
Level – Intermediate
Bat Thickness – 6.1 +/- 0.2mm
Performance stats – Speed: 96, Spin: 94, Control: 84
Material – 2mm thick sponge, 0.7mm rubber pips, hybrid wood construction
For intermediate players this table tennis bat offers a thicker sponge for better offensive play, a flared shaped handle for superior grip and a hybrid wood blade to finish. This bat is perfect for faster rallies and powerful shots.
Vermont Prime Table Tennis Bat [Pro]
Level – Advanced
Bat Thickness – 7 +/- 0.2mm
Performance stats – Speed: 99, Spin: 100, Control: 80
Material – Premium 2mm sponge, carbon fibre blade, 0.7mm rubber pips
Our Prime Table Tennis Bat is for advanced players who opt for speed and spin over control. This racket is made with premium Sponge #16 which makes it perfect for offensive play. It also features an ergonomic flared shape handle for increased grip.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do you hold a table tennis bat?
Although it sounds simple, gripping a table tennis bat can be quite tricky if you haven’t been shown how to hold it. There are a wide variety of different grips which can be used to hold a table tennis bat. For beginners, it is best to learn the simplest way of holding a bat which is the shake hand grip.
The name represents the action, imagine your shaking hand with the bat, the handle should rest diagonally across your palm, your thumb on one side of the handle and your index finger on the other. The remaining fingers can wrap loosely around the handle. Whilst using this technique it is important to maintain a relaxed grip to allow your wrists to be more flexible.
What are the different table tennis bat grips?
As mentioned above, table tennis bats are held in numerous ways, and using a different grip can significantly influence a player’s style and effectiveness. The most popular grip is the shake hand grip, which is the most balanced approach, however, there are other grips which have their own pros and cons.
For example, the penhold grips, which are popular in Asian countries, prioritise the forehand and wrist flexibility. The Chinese Penhold in particular, uses powerful forehand hits but there is also a modern penhold which allows for backhand shots. The Japanese/Korean Penhold grip focuses specifically on forehand techniques and requires excellent footwork to compensate for a potentially weaker backhand. Those that opt to use a penhold grip will typically use a different blade which is designed to suit the penhold grip.
After reading this guide you should have a strong knowledge of table tennis bats. At Net World Sports e supply a wide variety of table tennis equipment including table tennis tables, balls, nets and much more.