Of Table Tennis and Table Tennis Paddles

Table tennis stands strong in being one of the most popular of sports in the world today. Owing much of this popularity from the standard tennis game, table tennis is basically a scaled down version of a standard tennis game, similar in premise and concept, different only in particular rules and gameplay value.

Where in tennis the value of stamina, speed and ball control is quite essential, in table tennis, considering that the playing area is smaller, these values of speed, ball control, as well as endurance stamina are put through more a more rigorous test, requiring players to consider the size of the playing field, controlling their speed and their strength. With table tennis, ball control is of particular importance.

The origins of table tennis dates back to 1880 in Europe, when Victorians of the day would play table tennis games as a form of after dinner entertainment. The popularity of the game paved for the development of table tennis gear, of which table tennis paddles would be one of.

Before the discovery of utilizing novelty celluloid balls in a table tennis game, table tennis paddles were designed similarly to that of a regular tennis racket. A piece of parchment would be stretched over a frame, completing the basic construction of a table tennis paddle.

When celluloid, gas-filled, balls became the standard in table tennis game, more solid table tennis paddles were developed, ideally complementing the new table tennis ball being used in table tennis games.

Table tennis paddles are basically paddle shaped items, comprising of a handle, and an area wide enough to hit a table tennis ball with. Table tennis paddles are generally made out of wood, which is then covered with a piece, or pieces of rubber on either one or both sides, depending on a table tennis player’s preference.

There are a number of classes of rubber which are put on table tennis paddles. These classes of rubber define the type of table tennis paddle one uses on a table tennis game. There is the Inverted, non-Chinese rubber variety, the Inverted, Chinese rubber variety, the Short Pimpled rubber variety, the Long Pimpled rubber variety, as well as the Anti-spin rubber variety.

Each of these rubber varieties affect the way a table tennis paddle handles a table tennis ball’s spin, facilitating a table tennis player’s performance in a table tennis game event. For example the anti-spin rubber variety makes for table tennis paddles which don’t generate much spin, but allows table tennis players to go for no-spin balls.

All in all, it is the table tennis player who defines the ideal table tennis paddle for him/her to use during the course of a table tennis game.

Table Tennis Paddles

	Stiga Classic 2 Player Table Tennis Racket Set List Price: $22.94 Sale Price: $9.99
	Stiga Classic 2 Player Table Tennis Racket Set Stiga Classic 2-Player Table Tennis Set can be a great way to start the ping pong game. Each set includes Stiga hardbat-style table tennis rackets and white, 40mm One Star ping pong balls...

	Stiga Performance 4-Player Table Tennis Set List Price: $49.99 Sale Price: $36.89
	Start a doubles match with this four-player table tennis set from Stiga. The set comes with four table tennis rackets (two with black rubber, two with red rubber) featuring a 1-millimeter sponge, a 5-ply blade, and a concave handle...

	Stiga Classic 4-Player Table Tennis Racket Set List Price: $22.01 Sale Price: $18.60
	Made by Stiga, these four hardbat-style table tennis rackets are ideal for recreational and family play. The rackets sport a pips-out rubber surface for better ball contact, slower shots, and a more strategic game of table tennis...

	Killerspin 110-02 Jet 200 Table Tennis Racket List Price: $29.99 Sale Price: $24.84
	The Jet 200 is ideal for beginners and recreational players, offering solid construction and steady play with a high-quality blade and rubber. The Jet 200 is the best partner for taking the next step to improve your game...

	Stiga Table Tennis Racket Cover List Price: $22.94 Sale Price: $9.62
	Increase the life and maintain the quality of your favorite racket with the Stiga Table Tennis Racket Cover. This durable vinyl cover protects your racket and increases the tack life of the rubber. The oversized design allows for easy opening and closing.

	Stiga Apex Table Tennis Racket List Price: $34.99 Sale Price: $19.99
	The Stiga Apex Table Tennis Racket is performance quality for tournament play at the highest levels! Packed with technology for improved performance, this ping pong paddle is designed to keep serious players at the top of their game...

	Killerspin 110-04 Jet 400 Table Tennis Racket List Price: $59.99 Sale Price: $41.97
	Made by Killerspin, this table tennis racket is well suited for intermediate-level players with solid skills. The racket sports a soft, elastic, 5-ply blade along with International Table Tennis Federation-approved rubber for competitive play...