Table tennis is a
precision sport that requires the right clothing for maximum comfort and
safety. Depending on the type of game you are playing, the rules for what to
wear can vary. In a casual environment, you can wear whatever you find comfortable,
but in a professional match, there are certain guidelines that must be
followed. Safety is always paramount when playing table
tennis.
Long-sleeved clothing should not be worn
as it can interfere with the ball or paddle. Colors should be adjusted to
ensure maximum visibility of the ball and differentiate opponents. There
should be no marks, ornaments or other distractions that could take away from
the game. Shoes and socks should be worn to protect from injury and there
should be no offensive prints.
When playing
professionally, men should wear shorts and women can wear shorts or skirts. A
short-sleeved shirt must be worn and pants are only allowed with the
referee’s permission. It is important to choose the right shoes for the
surface you are playing on. Special table tennis shoes
designed for rubber floors will not work on hard ceramic floors.
Accessories such as wristwatches are essential for both training
and tournaments.The International Table Tennis Federation has set out to
renew the image of table tennis and encourage players to wear special
clothing such as table tennis shirts and shorts, headbands or socks. Popular
table tennis shoes among professional players include Mizuno Wave Drive and
Butterfly Lezoline. These shoes work great on surfaces with good grip, but
should never be used on hard floors without good grip.