Article: Make sure the paddle you’re playing with has rubber attached to at least one side. Most ping pong paddles have a thin sheet of rubber glued to the flat surface of the paddle. This adds traction to the face of the paddle and gives you more control over the ball. If your play style involves using a lot of spin to switch up the speed and direction of the ball, it’s important that you find a paddle with some good, grippy rubber.  Having control over the ball means making it go where you want at the speed you want, without having to worry about the ball sliding or deflecting off the paddle. Almost all ping pong paddles are rubberized these days. However, the quality, durability and play characteristics of rubbers can vary greatly. Play with a textured paddle to change the way you handle the ball. In addition to the rubber layer, some paddles also have textures known as “pimples,” “dimples” or “waffling” that grip the ball and help it stick briefly after it makes contact. For defensive players and people who like to decide the pace of a game, a textured paddle can make a big difference.  With a textured paddle, you’ll have additional traction but give up a little bit of speed and reactivity on returns. Deep textures are not recommended for players who use a lot of spin techniques. Decide whether you’d play better with a thicker or thinner rubber sponge. The sponge lies beneath the outer surface of the rubber to absorb impact and offer grip and control. It also changes the speed with which the ball can be returned. Thicker sponges make the paddle heavier and more dense, which lets you hit the ball with more speed. Thin layers of rubber, on the other hand, provide sensitivity and let you slow things down a bit. In addition to the type, softness and texture of the rubber, you have a choice of how thick you want the sponge. The more you play with a paddle, the fast the rubber surface will begin to show signs of wear. When this happens, either replace the rubber and sponge or drop some money on a new paddle. Rubber that has been worn thin loses a lot of its grippiness and spring, which will compromise your technique.  Look for places where the texturing is thinned out or feels less pronounced to the touch. If you tend to use commercial paddles, buy a new one once the old one is past its prime. If you play with a custom paddle, strip off the worn out rubber and attach a new one.

What is a summary?
Play with a rubberized paddle to increase control. Look at different rubber textures. Consider how thick you want the rubber sponge to be. Replace your paddle or rubber when it becomes worn out.