About
ping pong rackets also called ping pong bat, ping pong frame, ping pong
racket
Players are equipped with a laminated wooden paddle covered with rubber on one or
two sides depending on the grip of the player. This is called either a paddle, paddle,
blade or a bat depending on where in the world the game is being played. In the
USA the term "paddle" is common, in Europe the term is "bat,"
and the official ITTF term is "paddle."
Table tennis regulations allow different surfaces on each side of the paddle. The
different types of surfaces provide various levels of spin or speed, or in some
cases, nullify spin. For example, a player may have a rubber that provides much
spin on one side of his paddle, and no spin on the other side of the paddle. By
flipping the paddle in play, different types of returns are possible. To help a
player distinguish between different types of rubber used by his opposing player,
international rules specify that one side must be red while the other side must
be black. The player has the right to inspect his opponent's paddle before a match
to see the type of rubber used and what color it is. Despite high speed play and
rapid exchanges, a player can see clearly what side of the paddle was used to hit
the ball. Current rules state that, unless damaged in play, the paddle cannot be
exchanged for another paddle at any time during a match.
- Wikipedia
ITTF Rackets Rules
2.4
THE RACKET
2.4.1
The racket may be of any size, shape or weight but the blade shall be flat and
rigid.
2.4.2
At least 85% of the blade by thickness shall be of natural wood; an adhesive layer
within the blade may be reinforced with fibrous material such as carbon fibre, glass
fibre or compressed paper, but shall not be thicker than 7.5% of the total thickness
or 0.35mm, whichever is the smaller.
2.4.3
A side of the blade used for striking the ball shall be covered with either ordinary
pimpled rubber, with pimples outwards having a total thickness including adhesive
of not more than 2mm, or sandwich rubber, with pimples inwards or outwards, having
a total thickness including adhesive of not more than 4mm.
2.4.3.1
Ordinary pimpled rubber is a single layer of non-cellular rubber, natural or synthetic,
with pimples evenly distributed over its surface at a density of not less than 10
per sq. cm and not more than 30 per sq. cm.
2.4.3.2
Sandwich rubber is a single layer of cellular rubber covered with a single outer
layer of ordinary pimpled rubber, the thickness of the pimpled rubber not being
more than 2mm.
2.4.4
The covering material shall extend up to but not beyond the limits of the blade,
except that the part nearest the handle and gripped by the fingers may be left uncovered
or covered with any material.
2.4.5
The blade, any layer within the blade and any layer of covering material or adhesive
on a side used for striking the ball shall be continuous and of even thickness.
2.4.6
The surface of the covering material on a side of the blade, or of a side of the
blade if it is left uncovered, shall be matt, bright red on one side and black on
the other.
2.4.7
Slight deviations from continuity of surface or uniformity of colour due to accidental
damage or wear may be allowed provided that they do not significantly change the
characteristics of the surface.
2.4.8
At the start of a match and whenever he changes his racket during a match a player
shall show his opponent and the umpire the racket he is about to use and shall allow
them to examine it.
