Like any sport, table tennis also has players at different levels like beginner, advanced or professional. Similarly, the needs of the players differ at different levels and with different skillsets. To excel in the sport one is playing, it is of utmost importance that the equipment used in the sport are suitable for the person playing it and are also in accordance with the rules. Given below are some of the things that should be looked for while purchasing ping pong paddle for beginners.
What should you look in your ping pong paddle as a beginner?
- Weight – The weight of the paddle would be a very important factor for a beginner. The player would definitely not be used to playing the game earlier and hence the moves would be new to him or her. It would be easier for the person to master the moves if the weight of the paddle is not too heavy.
- Speed – Another determining factor for a ping pong paddle for beginners is the speed at which the delivery would be possible with the paddle. It would be better if the beginners choose such paddles with which the speed would not be too high. It would help the beginners in the game to master the skills. If the speed is too high at the beginning, there is a possibility that the player would not be able to manage the speed and take a longer time to learn.
- Rubber – The rubber of the ping pong paddle is another aspect that the beginners should focus on. They could go for either pimples-out or pimples-in depending on their style of play. However, pimples-in rubber is better for beginners because it offers a lot of control to the player and would help the beginner master the basics properly.
- Handle – Beginners should also focus on the kind of handle their paddle has. If a player has a forehand playing technique, he or she should go for the flared option of ping pong paddle handle. However, if the player has a backhand playing technique, he or she should go for the straight option of ping pong paddle handle because it is easier to flip the bat with this kind of handle.
- Durability – Players should choose to buy paddles which are long lasting. The rubber wears out with time but superior quality rubber would make the change a less frequent one. Players could also go for such paddles which come with some sort of a case to store it. This prevents the paddle from getting exposed to the elements when not in use. Moreover, the rubber tends to collect dust over time, so it is advisable that it is cleaned to increase the durability of the paddle.
- Budget – Beginners should definitely focus on the budget for buying a ping pong paddle. If they do not want to treat the sport as anything more than recreational, buying a costly professional quality paddle is of no use. They would not even be able to reap the full benefits from such equipment. However, if they want to take the sport seriously, it would be a good choice to invest in some good quality paddle which is up to the standards set by ITTF.
Conclusion:
Checking for the basic requirements while buying a ping pong paddle would be enough for a beginner. However, as the player develops his or her skills, more detailed information could be taken into consideration to get more advantages.
