A resident of Edgewater, New Jersey, Igor Zernitsky worked for Ernst & Young in New York City for more than ten years before joining the PRC Group in 2015. Away from work, Igor Zernitsky is a serious competitive table tennis player who understands the importance of choosing the right paddle for the right player.
While someone playing a friendly game of table tennis with friends in their basement is not likely to notice what type of paddle they’re using, when a player’s skill level advances, there are many paddles to consider. Table tennis paddles are rated in various categories of performance, and a player should choose the right one for their style of play.
There are a number of areas a player needs to consider when choosing a paddle. The grip that they will use is a big factor, along with their playing style, as attacking styles will require different characteristics compared to defending styles. Once a player is sure of how they play and their favorite grip, it is time to choose materials.
The blade of the paddle, the part that comes in contact with the ball, needs to be lighter or heavier depending on the style of play. A heavier, softer blade is better for defensive-minded players to reduce ball speed. On the other hand, lighter blades made of carbon-fiber are great for attackers to increase ball speed. The rubber on the outside of the blade helps produce spin, and the softer and tackier the rubber, the more spin it will produce. Between the rubber and the blade is the sponge, and normally the thicker the sponge, the better it is for attacking.
While someone playing a friendly game of table tennis with friends in their basement is not likely to notice what type of paddle they’re using, when a player’s skill level advances, there are many paddles to consider. Table tennis paddles are rated in various categories of performance, and a player should choose the right one for their style of play.
There are a number of areas a player needs to consider when choosing a paddle. The grip that they will use is a big factor, along with their playing style, as attacking styles will require different characteristics compared to defending styles. Once a player is sure of how they play and their favorite grip, it is time to choose materials.
The blade of the paddle, the part that comes in contact with the ball, needs to be lighter or heavier depending on the style of play. A heavier, softer blade is better for defensive-minded players to reduce ball speed. On the other hand, lighter blades made of carbon-fiber are great for attackers to increase ball speed. The rubber on the outside of the blade helps produce spin, and the softer and tackier the rubber, the more spin it will produce. Between the rubber and the blade is the sponge, and normally the thicker the sponge, the better it is for attacking.
