can be classified according to their speed. This article (including all of the products of this category) issues very fast blades.
are commonly characterized by a very direct impact. Furthermore, they are usually made of quite hard wood, at least in terms of the outer veneers (finishing veneers). Many of the fast TT blades are also equipped with 1 or 2 carbon layers.
When considering a typical table tennis racket, most people only notice the rubbers. Of course, rubbers should be of high quality, exhibit a long durability, be very sticky, and so forth.
Yet another, very important part of the bat is located directly underneath the rubbers: The blades, which are also called the "soul of the bat". Table tennis blades always exhibit a core layer of wood (veneer), and various surrounding veneers. The material of the veneers constitutes -in many cases- natural wood. Every kind of wood has its own properties. Therefore, bats also have very individual properties, mostly depending on the wood(s) used for the
TT blade. These properties have to be chosen according to the gaming properties of the table tennis player in order to find the appropriate bat.
Manufacturing the so called table tennis blanks is a very complex process which requires much experience and precision on part of the manufacturer. A single bat can be based on the mixture of different woods / blades. It becomes evident that the quality of the blank depends on many factors, such as the quality of the wood, the processing of the wood (Does is keep its postulated properties?), whether heartwood or sapwood (of inferior quality) was used, or whether the wood was dry enough. Also, what kind and amount of glue was used when joining the veneers. What temperatures and pressures were applied when gluing, adn so on. If during this processes errors and / or inaccuracies occur, the blanks could be warped over time. When having a finished blank, it usually will be sealed. Sealing procedures are processes in terms of speed-glue with glaze (so called sealing), or with varnish (so called super sealing). Both procedures considerably influence the durability of the
TT blades and how long the speed-gluing effect lasts. The sealing procedures also counteract any warping processes of the racket, because the sealing protects from moistening (take up e.g. water). Please consider, however, a sufficient drying time after sealing (depending on temperature and humidity): An immediate assembly is, therefore, not possible!
A central material characteristic of table tennis blades is the so called resistance to bending or elasticity of wood, also corresponding to the stiffness. In general, offensive blades are more bending-resistant than defensive blades. The subjective perception of how the ball behaves when hitting or leaving the bat is mediated by the ball-bat-contact, but also by mechanoreceptors located in the skin and hand. Those register the properties of the contact, code this mechanical information in electrical impulses (action potentials), and transfer this information toward the central nervous system (e.g. brain). Commonly, there are 5 elastic properties of table tennis blades to be classified. Those will be evaluated according to the gaming properties (e.g. Defensive, Def+, Allround-, All+, Offensive, Off-, and Off+, further explanations see below):
- elastic: Most striking and marked feeling when the ball hits the racket, perceived like a swinging or springing. Mostly used for defensive blades (Def to Def+).
- control-elastic: Still a very clear feeling when the ball hits the bat, but without such a pronounced swinging and springing. For All- to All+ blades.
- speed-elastic: These blades are barely elastic, the impact of the ball is clearly perceived, but it feels stiffer, with a faster ball behavior compared to the elastic blades (All+ to Off-).
- almost-stiff: The perception of the ball contact is reduced to a minimum, but the feeling for the ball persists (mostly Off).
- stiff: The control of the ball is hard, balls leave the bat very fast (Off+).
Gaming properties and classification of table tennis blades
The high speeds of the ball result from large accelerations. These are more or less independent from the thickness and hardness of the
TT blades. A more influencing character regarding acceleration and speed exhibit the stiffness and weight of the blade. Light blades require less force for the same speed. However, very light bats provide only a poor stability. Usually, bats weigh 75 to 100 g. The control of the ball is a combination based on two factors: Feedback of the ball (how does it feel like when the ball hits the bat), and the punch accuracy (Does the ball hit the racket evenly, within the sweet spot area?). Springing and swinging blades provide the clearest feedback of the ball, whereas stiff blades (or bats) offer the best possible punch accuracy. The gaming precision is based on both terms (feedback of the ball and punch accuracy), and is present when the properties of the blade are perfectly adjusted to the gaming style of the table tennis player.
The above mentioned gaming properties or strategies are classified as follows:
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- Defensive Table Tennis Blades:
Defensive table tennis blades correspond to a defensive gaming style (for defending players), which often takes places far away from the table.
- Def+: Corresponds to a slight defensive gaming style, mostly for defending players, who also attack from time to time. The defense takes places far behind the table, but also close to the table.
- All-: Describes a defensive allround gaming style, but also a pure defensive style. The game is based on a high-safety level, with emphasis toward spinny balls.
- Allround table tennis blades: Symbolizes the typical allrounder, who uses different (offensive and defensive) strikes and punches. This means: active and passive tactics.
- All+: Characterizes a pronounced offensive allround gaming style, with orientation toward attacks. Often, topspins are used.
- Off-: Corresponds to a direct and offensive gaming style, with sufficient speed, precision, and ball control.
- Offensive Table tennis blades: Describe a direct and offensive gaming style with speed, spin, and dynamics.
- Off+: Refers to uncompromising attacking players with high speed and much penetrating power.
Table tennis blades for the offensive / Off+ gaming style
Table tennis blades corresponding to an "uncompromising offensive" are a weapon. They are not only fast, direct, and exhibit an immense penetrating power - they are also hard to control. You see that when choosing
TT blades it is very important to be honest to yourself (with respect to your gaming style): Make the best possible self-assessment you can! It makes no sense at all that you are only having one or two nice rallies with your fastest and hardest topspin when using such uncompromising offensive blades. This is because you probably will not able to do simple chopped balls or to receive (simple) serves appropriately. So, you also need a high training frequency and a high level of experience to be able to control such blades.
If you are searching
fast TT blades, this is the right category for you.
Hint regarding the choice of table tennis blades:
As a service, TT-SHOP.COM provides tables regarding TT blades, sorted according to brands. With these tables (see the links below), one can easily select various speed-oriented table tennis blades: