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”.
Playing style
The style of play for which the racket is designed. For each playing style, optimal indicators of speed, spin and control (see below); The specific values of these characteristics may vary, but the general trend in models of the same style is usually clearly visible.
— Attacking.
The attacking style of play requires high speed - it is this parameter that, as a rule, dominates the characteristics of rackets of this style.
— Defensive. When playing in a defensive style, the speed of the ball is relatively low, which is compensated by the abundance of technical elements such as spins and cuts. Accordingly,
“defensive” rackets emphasize control (and some spin) and are also designed to absorb high ball speed (in case the opponent prefers an attacking style).
— Universal. A style of play that combines attacking and defensive elements. As a rule,
all-purpose rackets have approximately equal speed and control.
Each style has its specializations. For example, attacking rackets may be designed for maximum speed - or a combination of slightly lower speed with an increased degree of control; in universal models, the ratio between speed and spin depends on which direction the emphasis in the design of the product is shifted - towards attack or defence; and so on.
Also, note that a certain style may include not only ready-made rac
...kets but also bases(see “Product type”).Handle shape
— Straight. The simplest form, assumes a flat surface of the handle, without extensions/contractions. For some players, this shape may well be optimal, but in general,
straight handles are considered less comfortable than flared or anatomical ones. Therefore, although quite a lot of such rackets are produced, they are noticeably smaller than models with other types of handles, and they mainly belong to the initial class (1 *, 2 *), although there are rare exceptions.
— Flared. The handle of this shape expands noticeably towards the end. This makes the grip more comfortable and secure than the straight shape, while
flared handles are easier and cheaper to manufacture than anatomical ones. Due to this, this option is very popular today, it is used in most rackets of all classes.
—
Anatomical. This category includes handles, the shape of which is optimized for the shape of the human hand. Usually, they have characteristic notches, where the fingers of the athlete fall when held; this can improve the comfort of use and reduce fatigue. On the other hand, such handles are somewhat more complicated, and as a result, they are more expensive than straight or flared ones. In addition, they require increased attention when choosing: even a very small discrepancy between the profile of the handle and the size of the hand can cause inconvenience and reduce all the
...advantages of such a racket to zero. As a result, anatomical handles are somewhat less common than conical ones.
Note that the main selection criterion for the shape of the handle is solely the personal preferences of the athlete. There are no general rules about which option is “better” or “worse”: for different people, the optimal form often turns out to be different. Therefore, before buying, it is highly advisable to try the racket in your hand and evaluate the suitability of its handle for your own preferences.
Note that the same racket model can be produced in several modifications that differ in the shape of the handle; in such cases, the characteristics indicate all available options. And the bases (see "Product type") are, by definition, produced with different shapes of handles; therefore, for this type of product, this moment is not indicated at all.Speed
Table tennis rackets have 3 main practical characteristics: speed, spin and control. The general class of the product, the style of play (see above), the available techniques, the requirements for the player's 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 speed indicator describes how fast the ball will move after contact with the racket. High-speed values are very important for an attacking style of play.
