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Advise on a good beginner-intermediate balde?

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    Posted: 07/05/2015 at 1:09am
Hello all. I have been playing table tennis seriously for about 6 months now (I'm currently about 1100 - 1200 ratings central) but I'm having trouble finding a suitable blade for my level. I would be grateful for any good advice on a suitable blade that fits my style:

(1) I frequently use the backhand banana flick on service returns and on the table opening topspin.
(2) I'm more backhand dominant, I tend to loop with my backhand from close and mid distance (sometimes even away from table).
(3) Something powerful enough for mid-long table range as I tend to play at this range.
(4) I use a lot of controlled passive blocks at close-mid table ( like Samsonov)

Is there a all-wood blade that excels in all the domains I mentioned? Suggestions will be much appreciated! Smile

Should I look for something stiff/flexible and soft/hard?


Edited by tmham - 07/05/2015 at 1:16am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NextLevel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 1:18am
What's wrong with your current blade?
I like putting heavy topspin on the ball...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Snakefish Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 1:23am
I was gonna suggest Clipper. I see a lot of young Chinese players from China using this.
But you are currently using PG7 which is same plies as Clipper, but different weight.  What is wrong with your PG7 ?
Change your backhand rubber. No more Palio. Use a Tenergy on your BH. You already use Tenergy on your FH.

PS:  I don't necessarily subscribe to the notion you have to have a higher rating in order to use Tenergy.  As long as you can execute your shots. I see many juniors developing their skills with Tenergy.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tmham Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 1:44am
Originally posted by NextLevel NextLevel wrote:

What's wrong with your current blade?

My PG 7 has a warped head (ordered from a chinese vendor), I suspect it was the shipping process that warped it Confused. Also I find the PG7 a little too stiff for serve return backhand flicks, not sure if a flexible/softer blade would help with that? 

Originally posted by Snakefish Snakefish wrote:

I was gonna suggest Clipper. I see a lot of young Chinese players from China using this.
But you are currently using PG7 which is same plies as Clipper, but different weight.  What is wrong with your PG7 ?
Change your backhand rubber. No more Palio. Use a Tenergy on your BH. You already use Tenergy on your FH. 

PS:  I don't necessarily subscribe to the notion you have to have a higher rating in order to use Tenergy.  As long as you can execute your shots. I see many juniors developing their skills with Tenergy.
 

Thanks for the Tenergy suggestion, in fact I have already changed it up to Tenergy 05 on my BH (yet to update my signature) and I find my backhand improving a lot!!

Thanks for suggesting the clipper, I did think about it. Would it have enough power for mid-far table distance with rubbers like Donic Barracuda/Tenergy 05?



Edited by tmham - 07/05/2015 at 1:45am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote IanMcg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 1:56am
Clipper definitely has enough power from mid distance
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote NextLevel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 1:58am
Have you tried out blades used by other players in your club?  Asking people on the internet to recommend you a blade usually isn't as good as testing out a friend's blade/setup before buying.  Whether a blade has enough power from mid distance is a personal thing. 

I would recommend a Samsonov Force Pro or a Stratus Powerwood.
I like putting heavy topspin on the ball...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tmham Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 2:38am
Originally posted by NextLevel NextLevel wrote:

Have you tried out blades used by other players in your club?  Asking people on the internet to recommend you a blade usually isn't as good as testing out a friend's blade/setup before buying.  Whether a blade has enough power from mid distance is a personal thing. 

I would recommend a Samsonov Force Pro or a Stratus Powerwood.

Thanks for the recommendations! (why didn't I of a Samsonov blade since I love to block so much? LOL)

They both look like they might suit me after reading reviews. My strokes are very European and one of my natural weaknesses is power, those recommendations seems to suit me well in those regard!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Ray Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 2:41am
Don't worry, Clipper + T05 or Baracuda has enough power from Mid&Far East.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote crackfst Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 5:46am
pg-7 is great, but maybe a tad fast for your style?. maybe try yasaka gatien extra or the yinhe's clone/inspired w-6

Edited by crackfst - 07/05/2015 at 5:47am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tmham Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 10:04am
I actually have the Yinhe W-6, It was perfect in every respect except the throw angle seems a little too high for passive blocks (which is a big part of my game, I don't get the same problem with the pg-7). 

I'll check out the Gatien Extra! 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote kurokami Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 1:34pm
Originally posted by tmham tmham wrote:

I actually have the Yinhe W-6, It was perfect in every respect except the throw angle seems a little too high for passive blocks (which is a big part of my game, I don't get the same problem with the pg-7). 

I'll check out the Gatien Extra! 

it's medium-slow but great touch. perfect for beginner-intermediate blade. you hardly ever miss which is a great way to build confidence in your shots. both ma lin and wang hao used this early on in their development.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote berkeleydoctor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 1:43pm
Nexy Peterpan

this review echos my thoughts about it:

http://pingpongholic.blogspot.com/2013/08/nexys-peterpan-blade.html


Edited by berkeleydoctor - 07/05/2015 at 1:44pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote unstopabl3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 3:23pm
Originally posted by kurokami kurokami wrote:

Originally posted by tmham tmham wrote:

I actually have the Yinhe W-6, It was perfect in every respect except the throw angle seems a little too high for passive blocks (which is a big part of my game, I don't get the same problem with the pg-7). 

I'll check out the Gatien Extra! 

it's medium-slow but great touch. perfect for beginner-intermediate blade. you hardly ever miss which is a great way to build confidence in your shots. both ma lin and wang hao used this early on in their development.


Which blade, Gatien Extra??? I don't think it's available anymore.


Edited by unstopabl3 - 07/05/2015 at 3:26pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote NextLevel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 3:56pm
The Sweden Extra is the same blade.
I like putting heavy topspin on the ball...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote asifgunz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 4:05pm
Tm how old are you? Weight and height?

I try to do 100 pushups, and 100 curls with 20lbs a night. I immediately saw a difference on my forehand and backhand after a few days.
Been slacking a little since I have been fasting for Ramadan.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Clarence247 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 7:43pm
check out OSP Virtuoso and it will be YEARS before you even look at another blade :) A FAST , POWERFUL , CONTROLLABLE OFF- Blade (feels like OFF)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tmham Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 8:02pm
Originally posted by asifgunz asifgunz wrote:

Tm how old are you? Weight and height?

I try to do 100 pushups, and 100 curls with 20lbs a night. I immediately saw a difference on my forehand and backhand after a few days.
Been slacking a little since I have been fasting for Ramadan.

I'm 30 and my build is very similar to Samsonov (tall lanky, 6'1 (185cm), about 175lb (78kg). My power has been improving gradually, people have been telling me that! 

I've been doing resistance band training to build up arm speed and squats to increase the explosiveness of my footwork! I might need to work on conditioning next. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BH-Man Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 8:22pm
To be true, a TT player doesn't need to be super buff to hit hard, they need good position, impact the ball in the strike zone and know how to transfer power. A player who is 110 lb can hit the pizz outta the ball given good timing and power transfer. I never buy the you gotta be buff thing. I can hit a BH fast drive faster than some people FH smash and I can do that with a tiny step and a 6 inch stroke.

For blades and rubbers... it just gotta be suitable (for desired style) and that is a very wide range.

A 6' dude has some serious leverage and should be able to loop with sufficient power when they want. Something is sapping power & control somewhere and it could be a number of things. A look at him action will reveal a lot.

The blade he has should work for developing an offensive topspin playing style, and so could many of the suggestions already. His FH rubber, T05, is pretty much plug n play on any blade you can name. I agree with ditching the CJ8000, any kind of medium speed medium soft rubber should do it and there are hundreds that qualify for that task.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote asifgunz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/05/2015 at 8:22pm
you're on the right track. With your age, weight and height; working out will give you the most benefit in the long run. 

I don't have a resistance band. My dad tells me to lift hammer a 1000x a day like he did under his Chinese coach.
In addition to that I have found that football drills help with conditioning as well as footwork. As well as defensive basketball drills.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote crackfst Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/06/2015 at 1:14am
Originally posted by BH-Man BH-Man wrote:

To be true, a TT player doesn't need to be super buff to hit hard, they need good position, impact the ball in the strike zone and know how to transfer power. A player who is 110 lb can hit the pizz outta the ball given good timing and power transfer. I never buy the you gotta be buff thing. I can hit a BH fast drive faster than some people FH smash and I can do that with a tiny step and a 6 inch stroke.

For blades and rubbers... it just gotta be suitable (for desired style) and that is a very wide range.

A 6' dude has some serious leverage and should be able to loop with sufficient power when they want. Something is sapping power & control somewhere and it could be a number of things. A look at him action will reveal a lot.

The blade he has should work for developing an offensive topspin playing style, and so could many of the suggestions already. His FH rubber, T05, is pretty much plug n play on any blade you can name. I agree with ditching the CJ8000, any kind of medium speed medium soft rubber should do it and there are hundreds that qualify for that task.

indeed, physical strenght of the upper body is really never going to limit you if you are anything above 5'6

lower body and core power are however quite beneficial, if you see how far down the top pros go for some forehands and how fast they recover from it you can see that they are decently powerful and explosive, I'm sure the CNT guys do some back and leg training as well as plyometrics and sprints from time to time

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tmham Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/06/2015 at 4:43am
Thanks for all the advice guys. This has been really helpful! 

I've seen Ma Long work those resistance bands so I thought it would be a great idea, I think boxers do it it to increase arm speed as well.

I've also been working hard on my form, I do realize that having good Quads are important for explosive movements and energy transfer from the one's base to the stroke. I think the greatest challenge for a tall guy like me (especially for powerful FH loops) is that my legs have to be strong enough to constantly lower my center of gravity and transferring it side-to-side with my swing. 

Doesn't help that I have stick legs LOL


Edited by tmham - 07/06/2015 at 4:44am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote crackfst Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/06/2015 at 4:54am
Originally posted by tmham tmham wrote:

Thanks for all the advice guys. This has been really helpful! 

I've seen Ma Long work those resistance bands so I thought it would be a great idea, I think boxers do it it to increase arm speed as well.

I've also been working hard on my form, I do realize that having good Quads are important for explosive movements and energy transfer from the one's base to the stroke. I think the greatest challenge for a tall guy like me (especially for powerful FH loops) is that my legs have to be strong enough to constantly lower my center of gravity and transferring it side-to-side with my swing. 

Doesn't help that I have stick legs LOL

I feel you man i am 191cm(or 6'3)
staying low in table tennis is really hard on the core and legs for a tall and heavy guy like me(no pain, but i always get really sore in my legs, ass and back if i play a lot :D )

Doesn't help that I'm not that fit to begin with
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote BH-Man Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/06/2015 at 11:29pm
I saw OP live. His equipment is suitable to learn offensive topspin game. He has a number of things going on that take away from his power and spin. Number one was he was hitting the ball too far in front of his effective strike zone. The next issue is balance at impact and also power transfer.

Once he started hitting within his strike zone, he was remarkably consistent in landing his topspin shots.

I think he just needs some practice partners willing to exchange practice scenarios and some more time, it will come around and improve a lot.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tmham Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/08/2015 at 12:37am
Thanks for the help! That was a very fruitful evening! Clap
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