Table tennis accessories

Cleaner and glue: maintaining your rubbers

A clean rubber maintains its grip, and therefore its ability to create spin. The cleaner Tibhar, sprayed and then spread with a soft sponge, removes dust and fingerprints after each session. To change a rubber, a water-based glue is used, such as the Tibhar VS Top or the Donic Vario Clean: since 1st September 2008, the International Federation has banned glues containing volatile organic compounds for health reasons. A thin layer is spread on the blade and the sponge, left to dry until clear, then assembled while chasing air bubbles with a roller.

Table tennis on the site

Table tennis also includes:

• Rackets.
• Balls.
• Shoes.

All the equipment can be found on the table tennis page.

Racket covers: round, rectangular or outdoor

The cover protects the rubbers from dust, light which ages them, and knocks in the bag. The round cover, which fits the shape of the paddle, remains the most compact. The rectangular model, like the Tibhar Hexa, offers more volume, often with a pocket for a few balls. The Tibhar TT Outdoor cover is designed for outdoor games, in the garden or camping. The racket should be stored after it has been cleaned and dried, never in a car trunk in full sun: the heat dries out the glue and sponge.

Scoreboards, dividers and umpire's table for the club

A club match is organised with a few room accessories. The score counter, like the Donic Scorer, which folds for transport, or the Joola marker, displays the set scores and the number of games won, clearly visible to players and spectators. The playing area dividers Joola Surround, panels two metres thirty-three by seventy centimetres made of taut fabric on a steel frame, delineate each table and stop stray balls. The umpire's table Tibhar, folding wooden with a carrying handle, provides the umpire with a stable surface for the match sheet.

Good deals

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

Frequently asked questions

Ping-pong or table tennis: what's the difference?

Both names refer to the same sport. Ping-Pong was originally a registered trademark for a parlor game in the early twentieth century, so federations adopted the term table tennis; ping-pong mainly refers to recreational play.

Why is a set of table tennis played to eleven points?

The set to twenty-one points was replaced by the set to eleven points in 2001, to make matches shorter and more competitive. A margin of two points is always required to win a game.

How often should you change your rubbers?

A player who trains multiple times a week will change their rubbers every few months when the surface loses its grip. An occasional player can keep theirs for much longer if they clean and protect them in a cover.

How do you peel off an old rubber from your racket?

It is pulled slowly from the handle towards the top of the paddle, keeping it parallel to the blade to avoid tearing any fibres. Any remaining water-based glue can then be removed by rolling it under your finger.

What is the height and length of a table tennis net?

The top of the net must be 15.25 cm above the table along its entire length. Its posts extend 15.25 cm on either side of the table, making the net approximately 1.83 m long.