Why Ping Pong Paddles are Red and Black (To the Point)

The ping pong paddle is perhaps the most crucial piece of gear for table tennis players. If you like playing ping-pong, you undoubtedly would ask yourself why either side of the ping-pong paddles has distinct colors. Some may be confused as to why are ping pong paddles red and black? Why are the colors on the two sides not the same? Or why aren’t there more colors other than black and red?

Here’s the thing, the ITTF has a rule that says the table tennis paddles have to be both dim and colorful on both surfaces. Red need to be on one side and black on another.  This allows players to observe which side of a paddle strikes the ball mid-play to enable them to identify among various varieties of rubber used by their opponents. 

I know what you’re thinking; Why did ITTF choose ping pong paddles to be invariably red and black? Worry not as this article will cover everything there is to learn regarding ping pong paddle coloring, including the reasons they are mostly red and black, and the differences. Also, you’ll learn some additional relevant and practical knowledge about ping pong paddles that you definitely need to understand. 

The ping pong game is one of the most popular games in the world. If you’ve ever played ping pong or seen someone play, you might want to know why ping pong paddles are red and black. Why don’t we use other colors in tennis table games? Why are the colors on both sides different? So today in this article we will talk about why ping pong paddles are red and black. Let’s dig without wasting time.

Also Read How to clean ping pong paddle

What is the difference between the black and red sides of a table tennis paddle?

Now, let’s take a look at the red and black rubber, and what are the common differences between the two. Let’s start with the red side.

Red Rubber

Red rubber: Red rubber typically has a thicker spongy coating between it and the paddle’s blades. This paddle side is significantly less sticky than black rubber. As a result, the strikes will be faster and more efficient. However, compared to black rubber, there are fewer options for ball control and spinning. According to many players, red rubber produces less spin compared to black rubbers.

Black rubber

• Black rubber: These rubbers typically have a small foam layer between them and the blades making this side extremely tacky and adhesive. The black side can control the ball better in general. Additionally, rubber that is stickier will spin significantly far beyond the red rubber. Also, Black rubbers don’t generally emit as much strength and accuracy as a red rubber side of a ping pong paddle. You may have noticed that while many red rubbers are somewhat translucent, black rubbers typically have an opaque texture.

The sound produced by each rubber varies. Red and black rubbers make various noises if they have varied depths, levels of adhesion, and some other characteristics. While several ping pong paddle companies work to make all sides of their products completely functional so that they may be handled in the same manner, there are some other makers that allow you to tell the difference. For instance, Red causes the ball to vertically jump. For this reason, before choosing a fresh rubber, be it red or black, you must study the rubber’s specifications and customer feedback. 

Why was the rule made by ITTF?

The goal of the distinct black and red color on the ping pong paddle is to identify the rubber that the opponent utilized while the game is played. The players started implementing various rubbers on either side of the paddle throughout the 1970s till the 1980s. Similarly, most players twist the paddle to make shots with the various surfaces. They mislead their competitors by utilizing similar colors but various properties of rubber in their rackets. The issue was that the competitor was unable to tell which side the player was using, and as a result, they were unable to predict how the ball might respond when it hits the rubber.

As a consequence, the ITTF in 1983 regulated that the racket should be made with a side in red color while the other is black. 

The introduction of the regulation will make it easier for the competitor to evaluate the qualities of the ball by having an inverting ping pong rubber for the black color and a lengthy pimple for the red color. This will improve fairness and understanding of the sport.

Maintaining the transparency of the game

Each sport, including table tennis, places a high value on game equality and transparency. A table tennis racket must be black and red for the game to be honest and “transparent” so that the other player and spectators can tell which sport you are participating in.

Each player’s use of the paddle should be obvious so that the other players may anticipate and specify what kind of swings to predict. Therefore, the opposition team has the authority to search your paddle prior to each game and whenever you make changes to it during the play. Of course, you have a claim to a similar advantage.

Due to differences and transparency, it is also necessary for players’ clothing to be a different color during competitions and championships.

Which is better to use the red side of the black side? 

Generally speaking, the ping pong paddle’s different colored surfaces both have a strategic advantage.

Different levels of spinning or power are partly owing to these colorful surfaces. Therefore, you are allowed to freely twist the paddle in-game if you want to make contact with the ball in a special way.

The table tennis ball spins less and is quicker while facing the red side. Therefore, for the forehand, the majority of top players favor using red rubber. Black rubber, on the other hand, has far more spin and continues to move more slowly. It is appropriate for backhand assaults.

Keep in mind, though, that this may not be the situation all the time. Based on the maker, a black paddle’s rubber side can spin less compared to the red side of the paddle, and vice versa.

Many people have noticed that most players play four-handed with the red side and back-hand with the black side. So you may ask: is there any rule about this?

The answer is no. It has become commonplace that black rubber is what you attack, and most players play it on the forehead. But you can find red rubber for lots of spin and sharp shots and black rubber for a lot of control and anti-spin.

Different functionality of table tennis paddle Black and Red Rubber colors

Tennis bats red and black rubber work in very different ways. You’ll find the red with the ultimate rubber, and the black ping pong comes with a long paddle of paddles.

The two main advantages of ping pong paddles are that different pirates use:

• The red and black ping pong paddle rubber on both sides perform differently. The red side is used to make the fastest shots, but on the other hand, black rubber is used to make better pin shots with the ball.
• The colors red and black help the opponent to know and play according to the style of the fastest shots or spin shots.

Some other colors in Ping Pong paddles

In addition to the colors of red and black rubber, there are green, yellow, rose, blue, and even white. However, since the ITTF’s 1986 rule, other colors have become harder to find. However, there are still old ones, and some new ones, but they are for fun only because, in competitions, the paddles must be red and black.

In general, you can find professional red and black rackets that are really expensive. However, when it comes to other colors they are almost always quite cheap as they are for recreational use only. If you are interested, you can check out the example of Rackets below from Amazon.

Conclusion

 In short, there are several explanations for why ping pong paddles are red and black. In professional games and events, the paddle must be red and black due to ITTF standards, transparency, honesty, and various benefits. If you’ve ever wondered why ping pong paddles are red and black, hopefully, this article has solved your problem. 

You won’t take the red or black paddle deeply if you are new to this game. However, if you want to pursue a professional ping pong player career, you should be aware of the distinction.  All of the information listed above will make it simpler for you to select the best ping pong paddles.

Frequently ask Questions