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The Table Tennis Store was founded by Phil Moy in year 2000 to create a local source for the larger 40mm table tennis ball. Since then, the service has grown to become a full service table tennis resource, carrying the best brands in Table Tennis.........STIGA, Butterfly, Yasaka, Donic, Nittaku, Tibhar, Double Happiness and Newgy!
This year, 2004, the URL is going to change to www.advancedtabletennis.com! Why? Big balls are now the norm for table tennis play, they're even available at the sports superstores!
The mission hasn't changed, I want to help you improve your game! With so many blades and rubbers to chose from, why not pick the right one to match the reason why you play? Life is too short to play bad ping pong!
Come back and look for new ways to play your personal best!
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 It's been three years since the change to the "Big Ball". There are still people who haven't the foggiest idea what a "big-ball" is!
The 40mm ball weighs in at 2.7 grams, compared to the old 38mm ball at 2.5 grams. The bigger size makes the ball travel 4-8% slower and reduces the effect of spin on the ball 10-13%. The intent was to make the rallies longer and in turn make the game more exciting for players and spectators. Players do say that games against a player better than themselves are now a little bit more competitive. Combined with the new game format (11 point games / alternating every two serves), table tennis is a brand new ball game!
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 If you do the math, the new ball is 5% bigger in diameter, 16.6% greater in volume and 8% heavier. So what are the options for dealing with the big ball?
First, let's look at the way the ball bounces. A bigger and heavier ball bounces slower and lower. The ball doesn't come to you as fast, drops sooner. The arc is flatter since spin doesn't have as much effect. Moving in closer can ensure that you contact the ball properly. Of course, it's all relative! A 100 mph smash traveling 4% slower is now 96 mph, and that's still a pretty fast ball!
Should you hit harder? The ideal stroke is one that has the proper timing to deliver full power with minimal effort. The timing and path of your stroke will be a bit different, and only practice and drills will give you the right sense of timing for the big ball.
The alternative to hitting harder is using a heavier or faster racket. A heavier racket can give you more power, since their is more mass in the racket to hit the ball. A heavier racket is also good for returning hard shots since the weight of the blade can absorb the hit . With the same swing, it makes sense that a heavier and/or faster racket would compensate for the extra mass and slower speed of the ball.
Many players are using a faster racket. Faster rackets are made using different woods or combining wood with carbon layers or other synthetic materials to give you a larger sweet spot without making the blade larger.
Other manufacturers have also created rackets designed for the 40mm ball, using new materials and design techniques. There are lots of choices for rackets, so keep open mind, and ......
A sound body, because being in good physical condition is always a plus for your game, and will allow you to hit harder without tiring! |
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