Table Tennis Tips: Don't point that paddle at me unless you plan on using it!

By Dr. Timothy W. Stremmel
Special to Score!

In order to play table tennis, you will first need the proper equipment. But, how do you know what equipment is right for you? Selecting the right equipment can be a daunting task even for a seasoned veteran, let alone a beginner. I will focus my discussion today on the basics of choosing the right paddle/rubber combination (also known as a “bat”) for your skill level. The following comments are certainly not exhaustive, but will hopefully help to give you some general direction:

Beginner: We all start as beginners. At this phase of our development within the sport, it is important that we focus on both having fun and developing the proper techniques. Our skills are starting to develop, but they are still very primitive and unrefined. At this phase, it is probably more important to select a “ready-made bat” where the wooden blade and rubber sheets are already glued together. These “ready-made” combination products are readily available and are relatively cheap in comparison to more advanced products. Beginners will not often notice the subtle differences between “bats,” but once your game is well under way, the differences will become obvious.

Intermediate: As your skills become more refined and you gain in experience, you will likely start to notice that the basic “ready-made bat” no longer suits you. As a matter of fact, it may actually be slowing down your skill development. You will start to desire more controlled ball placement, speed and spin. This can only be achieved by using specifically designed wooden blades and rubber sheets. You will likely have an urge to start gluing together your own special “bats.” By borrowing from your friends and experimenting with different “bats,” you will notice that they all have a different “feel” to them. Some of them will work well with your style, and some will not. Have fun experimenting around at this phase while continuing to advance in technique.

Advanced: At this phase of skill development, individuals are really starting to “fine-tune” their games. It can get fairly complicated at this level to choose the right “bat” that suits your game. Most players will find a particular combination of equipment that is well suited to their style of play, and they “stick with it” for many years. Others change their equipment frequently to make up for changes in playing style, age, energy level, agility, reflexes and physical limitations. To give you an idea of how complicated it can get, consider the following comments:

1. There is a wide selection of different wooden, carbon, and titanium blades.
   
2. There are both “Shakehand” and “Penhold” blades.
   
3. There are different types of handles including flare, anatomical, straight and anti-vibration.
   
4. There are attacking rubbers, defensive rubbers and obstructive/deceptive rubbers (i.e. long pips and anti-spin).
   
5. There are different types of glues that have varying effects on the rubber.
   
6. There are different levels of sponge thickness under the rubber sheets.
   
7. There are products that rejuvenate and even add stickiness to your rubber sheets.
   

As you can see, there are limitless combinations of products available. The individuals using these products must understand their different characteristics. These same individuals will then have to make appropriate adjustments to their games in order to use these products. Basically, the ultimate test is how well you play with your equipment.

If you have any questions or would like to know more, please feel free to visit our club “North East Alabama Table Tennis (NEATT)” at the Physical Fitness Center located at the Anniston Army Depot, 7 Frankford Avenue, Anniston AL 36201, (256-235-6385). The club meets Tuesday 4 p.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. You are also welcome to visit our Web site at www.neatt.us. Other contact numbers include Jason Stancil, 256-591-4553, or Mike Harris, 256-238-6453.