Inverted (smooth) rubbers are the most often choice of modern players because they are offensive and provide the most spin.
Pimpled rubbers can be short-pimpled, mid-pimpled and long-pimpled. Short pimple rubbers are used by close-to-table hitters, all-around players and defensive players. Long pimples are the choice of the defenders. By most players are used only on one side and the generated spin is unpredictable.
Anti-spin rubber has a smooth surface, but does not generate much spin and speed. Most players use it on one side to neutralize the spin of the opponent.
For all types of rubbers, choose a thicker sponge for more speed and spin. A thinner sponge provides more control.
By grip, blades are divided into shakehand and penholder blades. By speed, they can be from DEF- to OFF+ (DEF is shortcut for defensive, ALL for all-round, OFF for offensive).
Offensive players prefer ALL+ to OFF+ blades, defensive players prefer DEF- to ALL, and all-around players prefer ALL- to OFF- blades.
The table tennis balls are divided into two groups: training balls and competition balls.
Competition balls have 3 stars, and training balls have 2 stars, 1 star or no stars.
For competition are used balls that are made of plastic, and not celluloid like previously. On these balls the 40+ sign tells that the diameter is slightly over 40mm.
Table tennis shoes should provide good grip and support. They should be non-marking gum-sole shoes. In contrary to running shoes, (designed for continuous forward Motion), table tennis shoes are intended for quick and short forward, backward and side-to-side (lateral) movement.
The harder the playing ground is, shock absorption of the shoes should be higher to protect the joints (knees, ankle and hips) from injury.
Protective sheets protect the rubber from dust , oxidation and aging. They keep the grip and properties for a longer time.
There are adhesive and non-adhesive protective sheets. For sticky rubbers the non-adhesive is the choice, and for non-sticky rubbers both types of protective sheets can be used.