Add spin to your game

If you are new to the game, a ready-made bat is the simplest start. Once you play regularly, a separate blade and rubbers let you tune speed, spin and control, and you can replace worn rubbers without buying a new bat.

All-wood blades, usually five plies, give more feel and control and suit all-round play. Blades with carbon or other fibre layers are stiffer and faster with a larger sweet spot, which suits attacking players. Blades are also rated for speed: defensive, all-round or offensive. Choose a handle that is comfortable: flared is the most common, straight suits players who change grip, and penhold blades are made for the penhold grip.

Tacky Chinese-style rubbers such as the DHS Hurricane grip the ball for heavy spin and reward a full stroke. Tensioned European and Japanese-style rubbers are bouncier and faster with less effort. Sponge thickness matters too: thicker sponge, around 2.0 mm or more, is faster, and thinner sponge gives more control. Rules require one red side and one side of another approved colour, usually black.

Match balls are 40+ plastic balls with a 3-star rating. Training balls are cheaper and fine for practice. Rubbers are attached with water-based glue. We glue rubbers to your blade in our Point Cook store, and each set takes about 60 minutes.