One of the most popular indoor games is table tennis or what is commonly known as ping pong. It is a game that is played by two or four players hitting a small, lightweight hollow ball back and forth with rackets. It is played on a hard table divided by a net. Ping pong has been an Olympic sport since 1988.

During a table tennis game ping pong paddles are used by players. It is made from laminated wood covered with rubber on one or two sides depending on the grip of the player. It is called a paddle, racket, blade or a bat depending on where the game is being played. “Paddle” is the commonly used term in the USA, “bat” in Europe, and “racket” for ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation). Table tennis policy allows different surfaces on each side of the paddle. The different types of surfaces provide various levels of spin or speed or in some cases nullify spin. According to rules the paddles cannot be exchanged for another paddle at anytime during a match unless it is damaged.