Ping pong, generally known as ‘Table Tennis’, is a sport in which two or four players hit a ping-pong ball (a.k.a. Lightweight ball) across a hard table divided by a net by using small rackets. A racket is an official ITTF term, however, in the USA, the term ‘paddle’ is most commonly used while the Europeans and Asians use the term ‘Bat’.
Now, you might be wondering what’s such a big deal about paddles or rackets, so let me tell you, a paddle or a racket is one of the most important elements. Ping pong is a very competitive sport and the right paddle will definitely make a difference. It is usually coated with rubber on either one or both sides depending on the playing style of the player. Oh and also, the rubber has to be black on one side and red on the other. Not only does it look cool but mostly because ITTF has this added rule where your opponents can tell which side of the paddle you are using and anticipate the speed and spin much better. A dual-sided paddle gives more options and we all know options are always a good thing. This rubber coating on the paddle may be of a pimpled rubber or it may be composed of a sponge layer covered with rubber while some paddles are not covered with rubber to make it spin. The different types of rubber sheets affect the level of spin and speed.
Most of the tournament players use custom-made rackets as per their playing style. A player may have a spin-heavy rubber on one side of the paddle and no spin on the other. He may flip the sides of his paddle for different types of returns depending on his playing style.
Now, what exactly is ‘defensive’ ping pong?
Simply put, strategy is your plan to win the war while Tactics is your plan to win the battle. Offensive and Defensive are two different approaches used in such strategy and tactics.
- Offensive Style:Offensive is an active approach where you take the main initiative of the battle and have to be aggressive in the game, aggressive meaning you control the battle on terms that are in your favor.In this style, you force the opponent to react and keep searching for opportunities for making an attack all the time. This is done with speed, spin (usually topspin) and placement, main focus being speed especially for “Attackers”. Of course, “Attackers”, “Loopers” and “Counter drivers” are stereotypes.
- Defensive Style:Defensive is a reactive approach, where you maintain your power. You make the opponent’s offensive actions as inefficient or risky as possible.However, the main purpose is to get the opponent to do mistakes, not being able to return the stroke. You can do this with speed, spin (usually backspin) and placement, with the main focus on spin. Playing defensive to slow down the game gives you more time to:
- React,
- Think, and
- Reposition yourself, and
- Play more relaxed.
But playing defensive is not easier than playing offensive, if you thought. Instead, it’s more challenging than playing offensive and requires more training.
Both as an offensive player and defensive player, you can create difficulties for the opponent by your game or actions. Some people among the best 50 in the world – 6% male players & 16% female players (as per data of January 2017) play defensive table tennis.
Ruwen Filus is a German table tennis player who is a modern defensive player. Other than him, there are various players who do prefer defensive style. Some of the most popular defensive ping pong players are Joo Sae Hyuk, Ruwen Filus, Wang Yang, Sacha Bouvier, Eric Adam, Daniel Kleinert etc. This proves that even though Offensive style is more popular, both styles are as effective.
Therefore, a paddle with pimpled rubber is mostly used to play more defensive. This is basically because pimpled rubbers are less spin sensitive and cannot generate the same amount of spin. However, they are good at enforcing or manipulating the incoming spin from the opponent.
And, when it comes to buying paddles, there is no such “Best” ping pong paddle as there is a vast variety of paddles available. So, one should be able to differentiate and choose the best ping pong paddle according to his or her playing styles. Some of the best ping pong paddle brands available on Amazon are:
Butterfly 401 Table tennis Racket Set
Key features:
- Rubber is tacky, offering great spin.
- Wood has a 2.1mm sponge layer which provides excellent speed.
- Handle type: Rounded flare
- Comes with a case to protect the paddle.
- Approved by ITTF.
- 5 stars rating ensuring it is the most reasonable and best ping pong paddle set of this brand.
Dimensions:
Length: 12 inches, Width: 8 inches, Height: 2 inches, Weight: 3 pounds
Butterfly Wakaba 1000/2000/3000 Shakehand Table tennis Racket
Key features:
- Handle type : Flared
- Outstanding control, reliable speed & spin.
- Best ping pong paddle for spin and speed.
- Recommended for beginners
- Approved by ITTF.
- 4 star-rated Brand preferred by professionals.
Model difference:
The 1000, 2000, and 3000 models differ by ping pong paddle handle design.
Dimensions:
Length: 1 inches, Width: 6 inches, Height: 10 inches, Weight: 0.5 pounds
STIGA Supreme Table tennis racket
Key features:
- Blade balance
- 2mm sponge layer
- Inverted rubber with 6-ply extra light blade
- Handle type: Anatomic Italian composite handle
- Approved by ITTF
- Skill level: Professional players
- 5 stars rating for control, speed and spin.
Dimensions:
Length: 10 inches, Width: 6 inches, Height: 0.25 inches, Weight: 0.35 inches
Butterfly Timo Ball 3000 Shakehand Table tennis racket
Key features:
- Superb control
- Good balance of spin and speed
- Approved by ITTF
- Handle type: Multicolor & Flared
- Skill level: Beginner
- 5 stars rating
Model difference:
There are four models. Each has different sponge and rubber thickness.
Expert Brand Palio Legend 3.0 Table tennis racket
Key features:
- Recommended for advanced & experienced players.
- Generates maximum power and spin.
- Heavier bat for more speed and spin.
- Custom made and assembled.
- Approved by ITTF
- Rubbers are replaceable, competition legal and provide high levels of speed and spin.
- Country of Origin: China
- 3 stars rating.
Killerspin Jetset 2 Table tennis racket
Key features:
- Inverted 1.5mm rubber surface for control & spin.
- 6mm blade thickness
- Handle type: Multi-colored & Flared
- Approved by ITTF
- 6 stars rating which is recommended for professionals.
Dimensions:
Length: 28.96cms, breadth: 18.03cms, height: 4.32cm, Weight: 385.55 grams
GKI Euro V Table Tennis Racquet
Key features:
- Light weight.
- Rubber with sponge.
- Highly elastic micro pores of Euro V.
- Extra power with good control.
- For skilled and advanced players.
- Country of Origin: India
- 2 stars rating
Dimensions:
Length: 25.4cms, Width: 15.2cms, Height: 1.5cms, Weight: 195 grams
Killerspin Jet black Table tennis paddle
Key features:
- Better control
- Oriented performance
- Handle type: Black Flared with rubbers on sides for better grip.
- Racket Thickness: 9/16
- 6 star rating preferred for intermediate & Expert level players.
- Approved by ITTF
Dimensions:
Length: 21.1cms, Width: 2.5cms, Height: 32cms, Weight: 120 grams
What paddle to buy you ask?
Defensive ping pong paddles will help to improve your defensive game as well as improve the play against offensive or power players. While there are many types of paddles available, these are some of the top best ping pong paddles. They will give you the speed and control that you require to defend any attack.
Here are some tips to help you choose the right paddle:
Tip 1: When you pick up a paddle, go for the paddle which suits your grip.
Tip 2: A heavier paddle blade made from soft stuff is good for the defensive style.
Tip 3: The more the rubber tackiness, the more it creates the spin.
Tip 4: Defensive players prefer thinner sponges.
So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and give it a shot!! (No pun intended)
