Light paddle vs heavy paddle

[Zwill]

So I wonder which has more advantages, a light or a heavy paddle (blade plus rubbers). I would say heavy is above 192g and below is light. Below 185g is quite light.
Without spoiling anything, I wonder about the general consensus.

 

[WingTT]

For me above 190g is a no go as I'm not young anymore and cannot handle the fatigue of swinging heavy setups. There is no advantage whatsoever to having a heavy racket for me as my set up is fast enough and feels good. In fact with the addition of Zyre 03 on the back hand on my alternate blade, weight is starting to creep up a bit uncomfortably.

 

[al_111]

For a player without limiting injuries, the ability to comfortably wield a racket depends more on the balance of the setup than on its sheer weight.
What is less obvious is that, because blade construction significantly affects its ability to engage the sponge, this factor must be taken into account when pairing a blade of a given weight with the specific rubber. For example, it is possible to get away with using a lighter Koto-outer ALC blade with hard Chinese rubbers, whereas a softer blade will require more explosive speed (which, for many players, leads to the technique breaking down or is just unavailable) and/or a heavier blade to properly engage the sponge.
On the other hand, a hard and heavy blade may bottom out a softer sponge too easily. Therefore, unless that effect is desired, one might prefer to select a lighter blade to mitigate it, compared to the situation with a softer blade.

 

[oophyte]

What I've read is that a lighter blade means faster recovery between strokes and transition between FH/BH. However, I'm skeptical about how big of a difference it actually makes. I might get flamed for this, but I'm actually wondering a related question: can people really tell the difference between +/- 7g in a blind test? If I add 7mL of water to something in my hand, I don't think I'd be able to tell a difference.

On the other hand, I've also read that Ma Lin said in an interview that he used to get Yasaka to customize his blade with extra weight. The implication seems to be that it raised his power ceiling. Take from what what you will.

Ultimately, I think the answer is nuanced. Just measuring weight is probably only good for a rule of thumb when weight depends on any number of factors which could contribute to performance. For example, is it due to sponge density? Blade density? Blade thickness? Density/thickness in which layer of the blade? Humidity level?

 

[belllfador]

It depends. Heavy setup offers more stats for the user who has the physical strength to maintain speed of movement. But with age and joint issues, players go for lighter setups, trying to compensate for the negatives with experience.

It is something else for the EJ, who always have some TT package for delivery. There is no fixed setup, but bouncing between many. The perfect weight is changing from the combination of blade and rubbers. Weight is not the only factor. For example, a 5g heavier blade (from the same model) adds speed and rigidity that can make the setup better or worse, depending of the player. And that is not coming directly from increased weight. But switching to 20g heavier rubber makes every move slower and the setup head heavy. In my late teens, after injury, I made a calculation that just 7g more on the tip of the racket, needs 20% more force for acceleration in the wrist. And I started to trim some blades... but that is another story.

The lighter setup is easy but can lose some stability from the lower weight and from the lighter blade. Such blades (<80g) have trade-offs - smaller sweet spot, too flexible, too slow, etc. Personally, I prefer a setup of 180g, enough for stability and for quick wrist movements. Unfortunately, I really like to play with my two heaviest blades (101 and 108g). My EJ virus is still strong, and I am just trying to keep the weight below 200g with some compromises in the rubber department.

 

[Gekko]

Light racket is good for acceleration, ie more spin on quick movements like serving.

Because rackets are better for everything else.

@oophyte I think most people that have a decent loop would be able to. I adjust my setup 5 g at a time.

 

[Lazer]

I suffer from tennis elbow and don’t want my racket too heavy. I keep it below 190g. But the balance is important too don’t forget this.

Cheers
L-zr

 

[NakiMaki]

My setup is usually between 205 and 210 g. its heavy and for backhand it doesnt feel as good as a lighter racket. But the forehand feels better for me atleast.

 

[MORTtheORT]

Light setup for me all the way. I used to have a heavier setup with the likes of H3 etc, but now I go light. I go for a blade at the 84 to 85 mark and my total setup at the moment is 174g. Works well for me and easier to maintain an offensive game style. I also like the weight to be centred.

 

[MORTtheORT]

What I've read is that a lighter blade means faster recovery between strokes and transition between FH/BH. However, I'm skeptical about how big of a difference it actually makes. I might get flamed for this, but I'm actually wondering a related question: can people really tell the difference between +/- 7g in a blind test? If I add 7mL of water to something in my hand, I don't think I'd be able to tell a difference.

On the other hand, I've also read that Ma Lin said in an interview that he used to get Yasaka to customize his blade with extra weight. The implication seems to be that it raised his power ceiling. Take from what what you will.

Ultimately, I think the answer is nuanced. Just measuring weight is probably only good for a rule of thumb when weight depends on any number of factors which could contribute to performance. For example, is it due to sponge density? Blade density? Blade thickness? Density/thickness in which layer of the blade? Humidity level?

Wouldn't the extra weight in the handle be more about weight balance?

I have gone from heavy to lighter setups and without a doubt faster between FH and BH. Plus far better acceleration in my strokes. 7g does not seem much until you put it out on a limb and everything becomes compounded. Table tennis is a game of small margins at the end of the day.

 

[blahness]

Heavier rackets can store more energy with greater stability so you can hit harder with them (provided you have good body mechanics). Also they can absorb incoming momentum better.

But, say for BH chiquita, every additional 1g hurts shot quality significantly because of limited leverage. Same for stuff like FH flicks. If you play aggressively over the table, lighter rackets are better because they are easier to accelerate.

 

[Saiph]

to me, the weight balance influences more than the actual weight. My setups are 190g++ with double chinese rubbers, so they tend to be head heavy. when I added 6g of lead tape on the end of the handle, it feels so much different! makes FH/BH transition much smoother

 

[Lando]

I use a lot of wrist. So, I play with a very light setup. My blade was 55g out of the box ( Butterfly Garaydia Revolver R)

 

[thisisit]

mutationem motus proportionalem esse vi motrici impressæ, & fieri secundum lineam rectam qua vis illa imprimitur.

 

[Zwill]

For me I feel like if I am just practicing a heavy blade feels better. If I know where stuff is coming back and I can prepare in advance heavy is just more powerful and I can prepare my body in advance blabla.

But if I start to play randomly and switching sides I just fall behind with a heavy blade. By heavy I mean 204g, but also I can feel a difference between 185 or 195 of course.

For long I have been playing around 193g and that was okayish.
Now I made a racket around 183g which is a Mizutani ZLC with LAC and Glayzer, on BH I am better for sure and now I have a timing issue where I'm rushing too much to hit the ball, I guess I'm used to moving my arm sooner for the racket to get to pos on time, now that is way too soon. Regarding power I don't feel I lost anything, maybe on stability but if I pay attention to wait a bit more I don't feel I'm more unstable either.
However I won a lot on arm swing speed and recovery time, and on random play too. Actually when I was younger I was always going for light setups. As I got physically stronger I felt some benefit to heavy but maybe even now I gravitate to light.

I guess between the arm swing speed vs heavier blade is faster, the arm swing speed will win for me.

 

[TT Lover]

Light setup for me all the way. I used to have a heavier setup with the likes of H3 etc, but now I go light. I go for a blade at the 84 to 85 mark and my total setup at the moment is 174g. Works well for me and easier to maintain an offensive game style. I also like the weight to be centred.

Good day to you sir.

What is the model of light rubber you put on your FH and BH.

Thank you for your kind sharing.

Best regards,

 

[MORTtheORT]

Good day to you sir.

What is the model of light rubber you put on your FH and BH.

Thank you for your kind sharing.

Best regards,

I have the Tenergy 05 on my FH and the Tenergy 05 FX on my backhand. Both 1.9m thickness.

The improved racket speed has been great.