I feel nervous about saying anything on this subject because it seems almost like religion.
Here goes anyway...this reflects my quite limited experience of the sport of course...
One of the things that appeals to me about sports is that it requires some physical effort as well as correct technique. So it is not always just a case of the fittest or strongest wins, (e.g. Running) neither is it just a case of perfect technique wins without some physical effort and capability (e.g. Chess).
One of the things I enjoy about table tennis, probably because it generates an exercise high, is expending physical effort as part of playing the game. Accepting that my physical effort is rather pathetic given my age, my stone over weight, and my appalling fitness level. I feel that smooth rubbers requires more physical effort and physical capability to use and therefore that is what I want to use. I just don't want to 'give up' on physical effort. I quite possibly look ridiculous trying to exchange top spin rallies from back off the table like a 25 year old but it makes me feel good and I enjoy it.
It does seem (at least in UK local league) that most pips players are of a certain age and are potentially taking a route that says I am too old to physically keep up with smooth rubber topspin exchanges so I will strap some pimples on my backhand and go to 'the other side'. Maybe I will end up there one day but for now I like to think I'll still be trying (and completely failing) to be Timo Boll when I'm 70.
I am also far from convinced that it is good for the wider popularity of the sport for people to be watching Dr Neubauer style matches where people are jerking their wrists at each other across the table in some obscure ritual. Audiences and aspiring youngsters want speed, exertion, sweat and athleticism and they don't really want to see a 50 year old world champion.
Hard hat now on and crouching behind the riot shield . Be gentle baby.
Here goes anyway...this reflects my quite limited experience of the sport of course...
One of the things that appeals to me about sports is that it requires some physical effort as well as correct technique. So it is not always just a case of the fittest or strongest wins, (e.g. Running) neither is it just a case of perfect technique wins without some physical effort and capability (e.g. Chess).
One of the things I enjoy about table tennis, probably because it generates an exercise high, is expending physical effort as part of playing the game. Accepting that my physical effort is rather pathetic given my age, my stone over weight, and my appalling fitness level. I feel that smooth rubbers requires more physical effort and physical capability to use and therefore that is what I want to use. I just don't want to 'give up' on physical effort. I quite possibly look ridiculous trying to exchange top spin rallies from back off the table like a 25 year old but it makes me feel good and I enjoy it.
It does seem (at least in UK local league) that most pips players are of a certain age and are potentially taking a route that says I am too old to physically keep up with smooth rubber topspin exchanges so I will strap some pimples on my backhand and go to 'the other side'. Maybe I will end up there one day but for now I like to think I'll still be trying (and completely failing) to be Timo Boll when I'm 70.
I am also far from convinced that it is good for the wider popularity of the sport for people to be watching Dr Neubauer style matches where people are jerking their wrists at each other across the table in some obscure ritual. Audiences and aspiring youngsters want speed, exertion, sweat and athleticism and they don't really want to see a 50 year old world champion.
Hard hat now on and crouching behind the riot shield . Be gentle baby.