Table Tennis Equipment

Wood, foam and rubber: the composition of a racket

The table tennis racket combines wood, made up of at least eighty-five hundredths of natural wood according to the regulations, and two rubbers. The wood often has five or seven layers, sometimes reinforced with carbon to increase speed. Each rubber consists of a layer of foam and a rubber, with a total thickness of no more than four millimetres. The rubber with inverted pips, smooth on the surface, is the most common: it grips the ball and produces spin. The external pips, which are rarer, send the ball back with less spin and confuse the opponent. Joola, founded in Germany in 1952 with its first tables, and Tibhar offer wood and rubbers separately to club players.

The selection

Table tennis is organized by type:

• Rackets.
• Balls.
• Shoes.
• Accessories, covers, cleaners and tables.

Indoor or outdoor table: how to choose the right top

A ping-pong table is chosen primarily based on where it will be installed. The indoor model, with a chipboard top, offers the most consistent bounce: the thicker the top, up to twenty-five millimetres on competition tables, the better the bounce. The outdoor table, with a resin or composite top, withstands rain, sun and temperature changes, at the cost of a slightly livelier bounce. Foldable tops that stand vertically make storage in a garage easier and allow for solo play against the raised half. The dimensions remain the same: 2.74 metres long, 1.525 metres wide and 76 centimetres in height.

Other sports

Other sports on the site, swimming, padel, badminton, handball, basketball, golf, fitness, climbing, camping, fishing, motorcycle, gymnastics, athletics, are gathered on the other sports page.

Score counters and dividers: organizing a venue

In clubs, the playing area is marked off with dividers, small low panels that stop the balls and isolate each table, like the Joola Surround. International regulations require a space of at least fourteen metres long by seven metres wide per table for major competitions. The score counter, placed at the edge of the table, displays the scores for sets and points: the Donic Scorer and the Joola marker can be operated with one hand, without taking your eyes off the game. These tools are also used for school tournaments and company committees, where a volunteer referee keeps score for multiple tables in the sequence.

Good deals

Good bargains can also be found in good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped in 24h are prepared and sent within 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a stable order: the Black Friday in late autumn, the year-end holidays, winter sales, French Days in spring, then summer sales and back-to-school.

Frequently asked questions

Are ping-pong and table tennis the same sport?

They are the same game, with the same rules and equipment. Table tennis refers to the regulated practice under the federations, while ping-pong generally refers to casual games during holidays or in the backyard.

Orthodox grip or penhold: which one to choose?

The orthodox grip, held like a handshake, is the most common in Europe and makes backhand shots easier. The penhold grip, where the racket is held like a pencil, remains common in Asia and favours forehand shots near the table.

Since when has table tennis been an Olympic sport?

Table tennis has been on the Olympic programme since Seoul, in 1988. The events now include singles, team, and mixed doubles tournaments.

At what age should one start playing table tennis?

Clubs often welcome children from five or six years old, with coordination exercises and sometimes lower tables. Reaction speed and precision of movement develop better when starting young.

Which racket should I choose to start?

A pre-made racket, with soft and controllable rubbers, is sufficient to learn the basic strokes and first spins. When playing weekly in a club, one progresses to a chosen wood and rubbers based on style.