Table Tennis Balls

If you're looking for advice on buying TT balls, you're in the right place.

I've been playing table tennis since 1971, and during that time I've built up a wealth of knowledge which I'd like to share with you.

I'll show you what types of TT ball are available and what you should look out for.

Following trials in the late 1990s, the official rules were amended with effect from 1 October 2000 when the size of the ball was changed from 38mm to 40mm.

The International Table Tennis Federation took the view that:

• The use of speed glue had increased the speed of the game and it needed to be slowed down
  
  
• By slowing the game down, the length of the rallies would increase which in turn would make the game more appealing to television viewers, and
  
  
• A larger ball travels more slowly through the air and is not as receptive to heavy spin.

The official rules of table tennis state that the ball shall be:

• spherical, with a diameter of 40mm and
• weigh 2.7g and
• be made of celluloid or similar plastics material and
• be white or orange, and matt

Table tennis balls are not all the same. There are a wide variety of different types available and each one will be suitable for a different purpose.

Let's take a look at each of them ...

Firstly there are the fun/novelty balls.

These are available in lots of different colours and sizes and are particularly suitable for children and for recreational play.

Next, there are balls known as practice or training balls.

These are generally a softer ball and are best suited for a beginner.

Then there are balls which are classified as one star.

These are suitable for use at schools and youth clubs.

Then there are two star balls.

These are suitable for use by improvers or in a robot or for multi-ball practice.

And finally, there are the top quality three star balls.

These are the highest quality balls available - and the only type which are authorised by the International Table Tennis Federation.

If you're serious about playing table tennis, these are what you need.

The ITTF list of approved balls contains many different makes, but my personal favourites are the three star TSP and Nittaku balls.

I consider that they have a consistent high quality and are very durable.

The International Table Tennis Federation produce a list of authorised 40mm table tennis balls, but before any ball can be placed on the authorised list, it must go through a rigourous testing programme.

They are tested for ...

Continued ...

For more information, tips and recommendations about table tennis equipment, take a look at my other articles ...