How to play with a hard ball?

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The seamless ones.
The Yinhe S40+ to me were one of the best balls at one stage
This when the first generation of 40+ was breaking in the dozens per evening.

S40+ is made by XSF.

the new ABS by DHS is preferred day, with DF quality improving with its WTT and PAR ball.
Nittaku premium is good, while the rest are soso.

There are many 3 star training balls out there, and if made by DHS, the quality is decent.
some also say the Sanwei 3 star training ball is decent (I haven't used it)

Imo, too soft and too hard, are not good, but you to fully develop, you need to be able to train and play with all kinds of balls.
Just look at CNT, when balls become a major problem.
 
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DF Para been playing for a couple of months and none has broken so far... Could Gman gone softie?
you probably not playing enough
after a while, the PAR(IS) ball core gets softer, and that needs moved to a multiball container.

I don't understand how people can use balls until the characteristic changes. some balls become so light and shiny
 
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Nittaku Premium Made in Japan is hard too
The China made is softer
DF PAR40+ is very hard too.

harder balls, require more arc to lift the ball. So spin more.
Nittakus are hard here in France that's for sure, it's the conract signed between the FFTT and Nittaku, all official single events from the lowest level in departemantal to the pro levels are forced to use them, but they are way easier to impart spin on them, even after 2 to 3 hours.

Now with my club at the regional level in team championship, we use BTY R40+, but for the trainings it's the shitty BTY Training 40+, those look shinny like glass after 2 or 3 hours, means good luck to impart spin on them ! When there are 100+ players in your club, you buy training balls.
 
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Nittakus are hard here in France that's for sure, it's the conract signed between the FFTT and Nittaku, all official single events from the lowest level in departemantal to the pro levels are forced to use them, but they are way easier to impart spin on them, even after 2 to 3 hours.

Now with my club at the regional level in team championship, we use BTY R40+, but for the trainings it's the shitty BTY Training 40+, those look shinny like glass after 2 or 3 hours, means good luck to impart spin on them ! When there are 100+ players in your club, you buy training balls.
Nittaku SHA balls that is used in Pro A match I was at is not hard, these are made in China balls
The Nittaku Premium, that is made in Japan is pretty hard.
 
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OP, You'll get used to whatever ball you play with if you just give it enough time.

A good tip I heard somewhere is that whenever your signing up for a tournament, well beforehand, find out what ball they're using, order that ball and give yourself time to get use to it.
 
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Nittaku SHA balls that is used in Pro A match I was at is not hard, these are made in China balls
The Nittaku Premium, that is made in Japan is pretty hard.
In team championships you can use whatever ball you want depending on the sponsor you signed a contract with, it's been the BTY R40+ for La Romagne for years, now they use Gewo balls, not in official single events: the french nationals is an example of that.

I should take photos next time I play the "indivs" tournaments at my level, but I can tell ya it's 100% Premium made in Japan. The system is simple: the FFTT supplies the balls for all the commities in départements and regions, it's a centralized system.
 
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says Fighting the EJ bug again...
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My experience is different from the OP's. I find Nittaku and DHS balls to be harder. This makes them more sturdy. Something I will say in favor of the Joola Advanced 3* balls is that they take many hours to get smooth and shiny. But when one does you pretty much know it'll start cracking soon.

I just ordered a box of 60 for <$10 USD, or about $0.17 apiece. I have no idea what they go for in Europe or Asia but that's cheaper than any other name brand sold by US distributors and less than even Sanwei, DHS, or DF from AliExpress. For that price per volume, they really can't be beat.
 
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says I miss 38mm celluloid
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"3 star training ball" is a meaningless description as these balls are not ittf certified. They can call them whatever they want just like there are "4 star" balls for sale.

Life is too short to play with crappy balls unless you are poor and have no other choice.

Your sig says you play JM ZLC + D09/D05 so you can afford good balls. ITTF 3 star balls can be bought in bulk for well under a dollar.

Will you please share where to get them for that price?
 
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Three Star Balls must obey to this present standards.
----------------
Be erudite of everything

IMG_20260122_201711.jpg


ITTF did rejected to open the real records in laboratory log as regards the ball approval tests. Yes, all the balls of ABS plastic feel too stiff compared to celluloid. You can never tell difference in hardness between abs plactics.
 
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Honestly you just need to adapt to the ball. same as the table. A new grippy 19mm table will bounce low and be very reactive compared to the prized 25 year old 25mm.
In my mordern ball experience
High quality and reproducability:
BTY: Low spin very high bounce, excellent for flat hitters and blockers worst for defenders perceived as very fast as you can hit it hard easily due to the high bounce
Nittaku: Lowish spin to medium but lower bounce, a decent all round ball percived as all around
DHS DJ40+: My favourite ball very spinny lowish to medium bounce very good for looping players, bad for flat hitters good for defenders

Medium Quality
XIOM: Very very very spinny and high bounce, perceived as very slow, this is a true brush looper brand

Low Quality:
Double Fish: good spin, decent bounce very inconsistant
 
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