Table Tennis Bats

Table Tennis Bat Buying Guide: How to find the right bat for school and club use

Table tennis is a popular sport in schools and clubs, and many children, teenagers and adults also enjoy this fast-paced reaction sport in their free time. To really enjoy playing, it’s crucial to have the right table tennis bat in your hand. It’s not about good or bad, expensive or cheap, but about whether the bat matches the player and their skill level. In this buying guide, you’ll find lots of useful information on table tennis bats and how to choose the right one for you.

• Bat types: A-F-S-W-O and the L-A-S-C system
• The ideal handle shape
• How to hold a table tennis bat correctly
• Table tennis rubbers compared: Inverted or pimpled?
• Rubbers with ITTF approval
• Cleaning: What to do when your bat loses its grip?

The A-F-S-W-O and L-A-S-C systems for table tennis bats

Every table tennis bat consists mainly of a handle, blade and rubber. The difference lies in the materials used, as these determine the playing characteristics. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of the best bat: besides good workmanship, the key factors are where it will be used and the player’s level. In our Sport-Thieme table tennis shop, every bat is marked with A for Beginners, F for Advanced, S for Sportive, W for Competition and O for Outdoor. This A-F-S-W-O system gives you clear guidance when buying.

A – Bats for beginners are suitable for players who play regularly and already have some basic technique and ball control. With beginner bats, you can steadily improve your playing strength. If beginners switch to a pro bat too early, they quickly lose control in rallies. This leads to inaccuracy and, ultimately, frustration. For beginners, it’s important not to choose a bat that is too fast.

F – Bats for advanced players are ideal for players who train regularly and are already technically and tactically experienced. In table tennis, we distinguish between defensive players, offensive players and all-rounders. Your preferred playing style offers additional guidance when choosing the right bat.

S – Bats for sportive players are designed for players who have already developed higher technical skills. They are ideal for secondary schools, clubs and commercial facilities.

W – Competition bats are high-quality bats with ITTF approval that can be used in official competitions. They must meet specific standards to be allowed in tournaments and fulfil the strict requirements of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). Bats in this category are suitable for experienced players, coaches and PE teachers.

O – Outdoor bats: Outdoor table tennis bats are an excellent choice for schools and public facilities such as youth centres and swimming pools. These extremely robust bats are designed for permanent outdoor use. Made from waterproof, dirt-resistant plastic, they are ideal for playgrounds, outdoor and indoor pools, schoolyards or youth centres.

The established L-A-S-C system uses the letters Learning (Beginners), Advanced, Sportive (club players) and Competition.

Important for schools and clubs: We also offer bats from all categories in practical sets. These include a full class set of bats plus plenty of table tennis balls.

 

Table tennis bats: Finding the ideal handle shape

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, the bat must feel comfortable in your hand. The handle has a major influence on your playing style. Handle shapes are generally divided into straight, concave, anatomical and conical. The different handle shapes support different styles of play.

• Straight handles: Straight handles make it easy to change grip and therefore to switch quickly between forehand and backhand. They are popular with defensive players.

• Concave handles: Concave handles get thicker towards the end, which prevents your hand from slipping off. They sit more securely in the hand, but changing grip is more difficult. This handle shape is ideal for children.

• Conical handles: The conical handle is a mix of straight and concave. It allows quick forehand–backhand changes while still offering a secure grip. Perfect for beginners who want to find out what matters more to them – security or flexibility.

• Anatomical handles: Anatomical handles are shaped to fit the human hand and are therefore very comfortable to hold. They are similar to straight handles and very easy to use. They are ideal for offensive players and beginners.

 

How to hold your table tennis bat correctly

DEFensive, OFFensive or ALLround: how you hold the bat depends on your playing style. With the common European “shakehand” grip, you wrap your middle, ring and little finger around the handle. Your index finger rests on the backhand side and your thumb on the forehand side. It’s often recommended to place index finger and thumb parallel to the end of the rubber, but the exact position should be chosen according to what feels best for you. The main thing is that the bat feels comfortable and secure in your hand.

Good to know: In Asia, besides the shakehand grip, the “penholder” grip is also very popular. Here, players hold the bat like a pen.

Varnished or unvarnished? Most handles are made of wood, so they can be varnished. If your hands sweat a lot, we recommend unvarnished handles, as they are less slippery.

Table tennis rubbers compared: Inverted or pimpled?

For table tennis bats, you can choose from various rubbers with or without sponge. The rubber has a major impact on ball spin and speed. In competition, only ITTF-approved rubbers are allowed. In general, rubbers are divided into pimpled (pimples out) and inverted (pimples in).

• Inverted rubbers (pimples in) have a smooth outer surface. The ball you hit will have more spin.

• Pimpled rubbers (pimples out) give the ball less spin and therefore allow more control in your strokes.

Besides the pimples, the sponge layer under the rubber is also crucial. As a rule of thumb: the thicker the sponge, the faster the bat. For beginners, thinner sponges are recommended as they offer more control. Sponge thicknesses of 1.5–1.8 mm are suitable for all-round play.

Rubbers with ITTF approval

At Sport-Thieme you’ll find a wide range of bats with valid ITTF-approved rubbers. These bats have been tested by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and comply with its regulations. Players can use them at official tournaments.

Some of the most important criteria:

• The playing surface may be pimpled or inverted
• The rubber thickness may be max. 2 mm for pimple-out and 4 mm for inverted rubbers
• The ITTF approval number must be visible on the rubber and must not be confused with other rubbers

For pimple-out rubbers, the following applies:

• Pimple diameter on the ball-contact side must be 1–2.2 mm
• The distance between individual pimple tops must be 1–2 mm
• Pimple height must be at least 1 mm and counts towards the total rubber thickness (if the pimples are 1 mm high, the rubber may only be 1 mm thick so as not to exceed the 2 mm maximum)

Further regulations include:

• How glossy the rubber may be
• How smooth or rough the surface may be
• Which colours are allowed
• and much more

With the ITTF decision of October 2021, in addition to classic red rubbers, blue, green, pink and violet are now also permitted. One side of the bat must still be black. Blades must also meet ITTF requirements for competition use, but there is no separate certificate for individual blades or complete bats.

 
Cleaning: What to do when your bat loses its grip?

The solution is simple: clean rubber grips better and generates more spin. After playing, gently clean the rubbers with a special table tennis rubber cleaner and a soft sponge. For robust outdoor bats, a lint-free, slightly damp cloth is sufficient. Once the surface is completely dry, store the bat in a suitable bat case. This protects the sensitive material from UV light, dirt and scratches.

Whether you’re a beginner, advanced or recreational player, at school, in a club or at home: you’ll find the right table tennis bat for you here in the Sport-Thieme online shop.