Equipment Recommendation - Are you ready for a challenge ????

Hi All,

I was speaking with a fellow team mate and he is thinking of changing his setup.

I don't know his blade, but I do know he plays Skyline 3-60 2.1 on FH and Hurricane 3 Neo 2.1 BH.

Now this is where the challenge comes in...

He describes himself as a "Passive Aggressive" style of player or a "Counter Puncher" to use a boxing synonym !!!!

From what I can understand that he is trying to say is that:

• he likes to block and prefers to us the opponents drives (speed/power) against them
• Like to play counter drives
• He doesn't play much if any loops (that's from seeing him play)

Other than that I don't have a clue what is is trying to say (or think he has to be fair )

So a couple of questions for starters if I may...
What type of blade suits a "Blocker" ? Would that be a stiffer blade ? So an OFF category or even a carbon blade ?
What type of rubber suits a blocker ? Should he go for harder sponges and stick with the Chinese types of rubber ?

OR, Am I a million miles off and someone has a much better idea that I can advise him he can look at ?


Many thanks in advance.

Player Information : UPDATE

Hi All,

I have an update about the playing style from someone who has coached this guy in group sessions:

He is blocker/counter hitter.
His hands are a firm grip – no point in looking at soft blocks, rules out the medium sponges and softer.
What he needs is a good, consistent effect. Medium/hard sponge. Soft side of Hard. Too hard and we’re back to lack of touch hurting – serve and serve receive, the ball will fly.

His coach has suggested that he moves away from inverted and looks at something like Joola Ultra Express (short pips ?)

Also does anyone know how I might identify this blade and its layers ? or does anyone know what it is ?

Final Update and Feedback

Firstly, thanks to all that contributed as this was a new one for me.

Normally people suggest what is wrong with their game and then I get someone to help them with their setup. this one was a bit different as the player himself said nothing was "wrong", but wanted setup advice for how he felt he should play.

The summary of all the advice (including other sources than this site) was that he needed to come down from the max rubbers, consider a softer rubber and also a hard/stiff blade.

So some feedback on what has happened.....

This guy is of the "latter" years and whilst he is still young enough to learn, I think he is comfortable with his style to play for enjoyment whilst still trying to win. He doesn't aim to set the world alight, but still wants to be open to what might make him better

As for combo, he has decided to go along the lines of his coach's suggestions and picked these:

Joola falcon fast in flared handle
Joola mambo 1.8 in red on the forehand
Dermaterialsspezialist breakout 2.0 in black on the backhand

Click to expand...

The blade is a little slower, but this was considered to help compensate for the "firm grip"
Slowed the FH rubber as nearly everyone suggested, but didn't go too soft as is still likely to want to block and move the ball around using the opponents speed.

I did manage to identify the blade as a "Xi-Enting “Tiger X560” Titanium & Carbon blade" on oneofakindtrading, but unfortunately it did not mention the woods in use. Can anyone suggest a good source for these as I am sure I read a few threads where people mentioned databases ?

Lastly, thanks again to all the people on this site who kindly give up their time and energy to write such helpful and insightful posts