Table tennis horizontal and straight rackets: comparison and differences.
Table tennis is a worldwide sport with numerous rules and techniques. Among them, the grip of the racket is one of the important factors that determine the technical style and playing style of the player. This article will compare the differences between horizontal and straight table tennis in detail to help you better understand the characteristics and advantages and disadvantages of these two grips.
First, the characteristics of the grip.
Horizontal racket: Also known as a "horizontal grip", the racket is held horizontally with the handle horizontally, parallel to the table. The advantage of this grip is that it allows for better power, which is good for forehand and backhand attacks. At the same time, the horizontal racket also performs well in defending and controlling the ball.
Straight Racket: Also known as a "vertical grip", the racket handle is held vertically to the table. The advantage of this grip is that it can better play the speed and control the fineness of the ball, which is conducive to quick counterattacks and changing the path of the ball. At the same time, the straight shot also performed well in handling the balls in the table and the backhand attack.
Second, technical characteristics.
Horizontal Racket: Since the grip of the horizontal racket allows for better power, when using the forehand attack, the rotation of the waist and shoulders can be better utilized, and the force is more concentrated. In addition, the horizontal shot can also use the rotation of the waist to increase the power output when attacking the backhand. When it comes to defending and controlling the ball, the horizontal paddle makes better use of the power of the fingers to regulate the speed and arc of the ball.
Straight Shot: The grip of the straight shot allows for better speed and control of the finesse of the ball, so it is more flexible when handling the ball inside the table and quick counterattacks. In addition, the straight shot is also more handy when changing the ball and dealing with backhand attacks. In the case of a backhand attack, a straight shot can use the power of the fingers to adjust the fineness of the ball, so that the ball can land more accurately on the target position.
3. Comparison of advantages and disadvantages.
Horizontal Racket: Because the horizontal grip allows for better power and finesse of ball control, it is more balanced in both attack and defense. In addition, the horizontal racket has a large attack range and can cover the entire table, so it has a certain advantage in the game. However, a horizontal shot is not as flexible as a straight shot when dealing with the ball inside the table and a quick counterattack.
Straight Shot: Because the grip of the straight shot allows for better speed and control of the finesse of the ball, it is better at handling the ball inside the table and on quick counterattacks. In addition, the straight shot is also more flexible when changing the ball path and dealing with the backhand attack. However, a straight shot is not as stable as a horizontal shot in terms of defending and controlling the ball.
Fourth, summary. The horizontal and straight rackets of table tennis have their own characteristics and advantages, and the choice of the right grip should be decided according to the individual's technical style and playing style. If you are a power player who likes to attack and backhand, you can choose to shoot horizontally; If you're a speed-type player who likes to handle the ball inside the table and counterattack quickly, you can opt for a straight shot. You can also experiment with different grips when practicing to find the one that works best for you.