Hi Ib66
Unfortunately no video............I started playing at the age of 11............became level 2 coach and also played in North Middx League and also Cheshunt League for some years. Never played in the top teams ie Premier or Div 1 but like to play close to the table and also get on the front foot whenever possible. Love to attack on my backhan as I can play a strong backhand as well as a backhand fade to the fh corner when my opponent is away from the table.
Bear in mind I don't play competitively at the moment but may look to join my local club again.
I am a teacher so run clubs at school and also teach table tennis as probably my main sport. Have over 30 yrs of experience so am not going to be jumping round the table too much but like to play a mix of touch shots around the net and then get on the attack with either a bh or fh topspin.
I could try and get some video from work but isn't really anyone there who can keep a rally going for that long. Hope that helps. If I can get some video evidence next week at school I'll try.
Hi,
From what you’ve written above, you should be pretty technically sound!! I’m just about 1/2 way through my Level 1 Coaching course, so you’re one step more advanced on that score!!
I’m from around the same area as you as well, Hertford and District League, there’s a couple of clubs from Cheshunt that play in that league. (Cheshunt and Grundy Park)
Looks like your blade is fine, especially if it’s all wood and the All+/Off- rating is, as far as I’m concerned a good speed for sticking some modern rubbers on it !!
To start with, I would stick with the slightly thinner sponge thicknesses. 1.9 to 2.1mm nowadays a lot of manufacturers use Max then 2.1 etc so stick to the sponge thickness just below what the Max thickness is, if they don’t use Max as the description, then one below the thickest sponge listed.
I’ll list the general inverted rubber categories below and how that can effect your choice of sponge thickness.
ESN Tensor, Grippy top sheets (BTY rubbers with spring sponge), these are the bouncy sponge types!! So sponge thickness as above, one grade below max thickness listed. 1.8 - 2.1 mm.
Hybrid (Charcateristic) a combination of a Tacky / Sticky top sheet and a harder tensor type springy sponge. This type of rubber I feel you would be ok to use max sponge thickness, as the tackiness reduces the bouncy effect.
Tacky, hard sponge Chinese style rubbers, often described as ‘dead’, low bounce, Max sponge would be no problem at all !! DHS usually list at 2.15mm and 2.2, (the 2.15 thickness allows for boosting and thicker gluing)
Bear in mind that there’s nothing wrong with using a ESN Tensor bouncy sponge in Max thickness, it’s going to feel very lively, short game can be harder to control, but easy play mid/away from the table.
Theres loads of rubber out there, some considered better, but within each group they are all pretty similar, yes there are slight differences, some are faster, harder, softer etc etc
As you don’t appear to have used any Tacky Chinese type rubbers, H3, H3Neo, Friendship Battle 2 Yinhe rubbers etc then perhaps stay away from them.
Hybrid type rubbers could be an option-
Rakza Z with max or 2.0mm sponge, maybe 2.0mm
Donic Bluegrip, V1 or C2
Tensor ESN/ spring sponges
Rakza 7, BTY Rozena. Xiom Vega Euro 2.0mm, Tibhar FXS 1.9mm, to be honest there’s lots to choose from, I’m sure other posters will give some good choices!!!
Personally I seem to like the tacky hybrid types!!!