Class
The class of a racket describes the general purpose of the product and its ability to perform various table tennis techniques. The general purpose is clear from the name of the class: for example, for those who have not yet held rackets in their hands,
1* models are best suited, players with some experience who play regularly can pay attention to
2*, etc. As for techniques, the more stars, the wider the available range: for example, on “one-star” models only simulations of cutting and top spin are available, while “two-star” models allow you to perform these techniques with average strength, and powerful cutting and top spins are available starting from
3*.
It is worth noting that the term “professional” in this case is somewhat conditional: the class is indicated for the racket (see “Product type”), while professional athletes prefer to assemble equipment, choosing the base and pads themselves. Therefore,
the 5* marking corresponds to the most advanced class among ready-made rackets. However, this class is more often designed for experienced amateurs than for representatives of “big sports”.
Spin
Table tennis rackets have 3 main characteristics: speed, spin and control. The general class of the product, the style of play (see above), available techniques, requirements for player skills, etc. depend on their values and ratio. One of the most popular designation options is on a hundred-point scale; This scale is also used in our catalogue.
The higher the spin number, the more the ball will spin with the corresponding hit and the better the racket is suitable for various spinning techniques.
Sponge thickness
The sponge is the bottom layer of the coating, located under the outer coating (rubber is most often used for such a coating). The thickness of the sponge determines the characteristics of the impulse that the racket transmits to the ball, and, accordingly, the characteristics of the flight of the ball after the impact; in other words, this parameter affects all three practical characteristics of the racket - speed, rotation, control. Accordingly, models for different playing styles (see above) also differ in sponge thickness.
So, a small thickness - up to 1.5 mm - is typical for protective style products, which are distinguished by low speed and good control. All-purpose rackets use sponges of the thickness of 1.5 – 1.8 mm, which provides a balance between speed and control. And thick sponges - from 2 mm - are installed in rackets for an attacking game, and the greater the thickness, the higher the speed and rotation, and the worse the control.
