Which side of the ping pong paddle to use

"Which side of the ping pong paddle do I use, red or black?" It is one of the most common questions from new players. The answer surprises a lot of people: both. Each side has its own stroke, and the color alone decides nothing.

This guide explains how the two sides work with each grip and how to choose which rubber goes on which side.

The short answer

• You can use both sides. No rule says you must stick to one.
• With a shakehand grip, each side has a stroke. One face hits forehands and the other hits backhands.
• Color does not affect performance. Red and black exist so your opponent can see which rubber you used (see why are ping pong paddles red and black).
• The rubber matters. If your rubbers are different, choose which goes on the forehand and which on the backhand.

How it works with a shakehand grip

The shakehand grip is the most common grip in the world: you hold the paddle as if shaking someone's hand. With it:

• the forehand (ball on the same side as your paddle hand) is hit with the face on your palm side;
• the backhand (ball on the other side of your body) is hit with the face on your thumb side, the back of your hand.

You do not rotate the paddle in your hand between strokes. The paddle stays put and your arm moves across. That is why each face ends up "owning" one stroke. If you are not sure how to hold it yet, see table tennis grip.

What about penhold?

With the penhold grip you hold the paddle like a pen, handle pointing up. There are two styles:

Even if you only hit with one side, the paddle still has to follow the color rule. The full comparison is in shakehand vs penhold.

Red on the forehand or black on the forehand?

By the rules, it does not matter. It is a personal choice, and at the top level you will see both setups. Some practical tips:

1. If both rubbers are the same, pick whichever color you like on each side. It changes nothing.
2. If the rubbers are different, put the one you prefer for attacking on your forehand. The forehand is most players' strongest stroke and usually uses a rubber that spins and accelerates well.
3. On the backhand, many prefer a slightly more controllable rubber, since the stroke is shorter and closer to the body.
4. Stick with your choice. Once you decide, keep it. That way you get used to how each side feels.

To understand what changes between rubbers, read table tennis rubber.

Pre-made paddles: are both sides the same?

On many pre-made paddles, both rubbers are the same model in different colors, so the two sides play almost the same. On some, the manufacturer uses different rubber models or sponges, and the product description says which is which.

If your paddle has one rubber that is clearly smoother or tackier, that side will spin the ball more. Many beginners end up putting that side on the forehand.

Can you hit any stroke with either side?

Yes. Nothing stops you from hitting a forehand with your backhand face by twirling the paddle. In practice almost nobody does it, because twirling slows you down. The few players who twirl during a rally are usually defenders with very different rubbers who want to change the spin of their return.

What is not allowed is hitting with a side that lacks the required rubber, like bare wood: that loses the point. A ball that comes off the edge of the paddle is still good. The details are in table tennis racket rules.

A common beginner mistake

Many new players try to do everything with one side, twisting the wrist awkwardly to hit backhands with the forehand face. That makes the stroke weak and hard to control. Learning to use both sides from day one speeds up your progress a lot. See other pitfalls in common beginner mistakes.

Frequently asked questions