Hi everyone,
My name is Barbara, and I just signed up (I introduced myself in the "Just arrived to the site?" section).
I've been playing table tennis forever, but it's only been a few months since I joined a club where I'm learning the technique and realizing just how complicated this sport is.
I'm starting to master the basic strokes and I feel pretty comfortable with them. I've recently learned the forehand topspin technique, but I still have some coordination issues and don't always hit the table or get the desired spin, but I'm making progress.
What I really want to improve on is placing the ball where I want on the table and learning to receive heavily spinned balls - I can't read the opponent's spin very well yet and as a result, I don't angle my paddle correctly to receive, sending many balls out.
My coach says my backhand is very good, the technique is correct and the shots are pretty powerful. My forehand, on the other hand, still needs a lot of training to be refined.
I started with my old Stiga Allround Classic racket, which is 12 years old, and I put on two new Chinese rubbers (Dawei 2008 XP Super Power 2.2mm). To be honest, I wasn't doing badly, but then I found a deal on Amazon for a Palio Master 2.0 (with two Palio CJ8000 rubbers) and immediately noticed the huge difference between the two rackets. I read a bit about the Palio before buying it and everyone agrees that for a pre-assembled racket, it's not bad at all (and I agree), so I abandoned the Stiga (really too slow for me) and currently play with the Palio, which I really like.
The Palio Master is good but it can never be compared to a custom-assembled racket that can grow with you. And that's why I'm here.
I've read a lot and learned that there are different types of blades and rubbers to choose from, depending on your level and playing style, and I've come up with a potential configuration.
Given that I've realized I'm an attacker and therefore want a racket that will allow me to follow this path in the future, I've opted for a Butterfly racket:
Blade: Petr Korbel MADE IN JAPAN
Rubbers: FH Rozena 2.1 mm and BH Rozena 1.9 mm
I know there are many other cheaper alternatives like the Xiom Offensive S or the Yasaka Sweden Extra or even the Tibhar Stratus Powerwood with Rakza 7 Soft on both sides, but I've ruled them out due to availability issues.
On the other hand, I can easily find the Butterfly and they also assemble it for me (although I've already done it myself, I prefer a professional to glue the rubbers).
Having said all that, I only have a couple of doubts.
I opted for the Korbel blade instead of the Primorac because I think, but I'm asking you for advice, that it can last me longer over time, even when I'm more experienced.
As for the rubbers, I read that the Rozenas are more "modern" than the Sriver that many recommend, so I opted for these even though they might be slightly more difficult to handle. Since I'm looking for a bit more power, I chose the 2.1 mm rubbers on the forehand and 1.9 mm on the backhand.
Do you think this configuration is good or is it too difficult to handle for a beginner like me?
Also, can I expect to improve my technique and generate a good spin with this racket (I read that Chinese rubbers produce a lot of spin because they are sticky, but are slower)?
Thanks everyone and sorry for the long post.
Barbara
My name is Barbara, and I just signed up (I introduced myself in the "Just arrived to the site?" section).
I've been playing table tennis forever, but it's only been a few months since I joined a club where I'm learning the technique and realizing just how complicated this sport is.
I'm starting to master the basic strokes and I feel pretty comfortable with them. I've recently learned the forehand topspin technique, but I still have some coordination issues and don't always hit the table or get the desired spin, but I'm making progress.
What I really want to improve on is placing the ball where I want on the table and learning to receive heavily spinned balls - I can't read the opponent's spin very well yet and as a result, I don't angle my paddle correctly to receive, sending many balls out.
My coach says my backhand is very good, the technique is correct and the shots are pretty powerful. My forehand, on the other hand, still needs a lot of training to be refined.
I started with my old Stiga Allround Classic racket, which is 12 years old, and I put on two new Chinese rubbers (Dawei 2008 XP Super Power 2.2mm). To be honest, I wasn't doing badly, but then I found a deal on Amazon for a Palio Master 2.0 (with two Palio CJ8000 rubbers) and immediately noticed the huge difference between the two rackets. I read a bit about the Palio before buying it and everyone agrees that for a pre-assembled racket, it's not bad at all (and I agree), so I abandoned the Stiga (really too slow for me) and currently play with the Palio, which I really like.
The Palio Master is good but it can never be compared to a custom-assembled racket that can grow with you. And that's why I'm here.
I've read a lot and learned that there are different types of blades and rubbers to choose from, depending on your level and playing style, and I've come up with a potential configuration.
Given that I've realized I'm an attacker and therefore want a racket that will allow me to follow this path in the future, I've opted for a Butterfly racket:
Blade: Petr Korbel MADE IN JAPAN
Rubbers: FH Rozena 2.1 mm and BH Rozena 1.9 mm
I know there are many other cheaper alternatives like the Xiom Offensive S or the Yasaka Sweden Extra or even the Tibhar Stratus Powerwood with Rakza 7 Soft on both sides, but I've ruled them out due to availability issues.
On the other hand, I can easily find the Butterfly and they also assemble it for me (although I've already done it myself, I prefer a professional to glue the rubbers).
Having said all that, I only have a couple of doubts.
I opted for the Korbel blade instead of the Primorac because I think, but I'm asking you for advice, that it can last me longer over time, even when I'm more experienced.
As for the rubbers, I read that the Rozenas are more "modern" than the Sriver that many recommend, so I opted for these even though they might be slightly more difficult to handle. Since I'm looking for a bit more power, I chose the 2.1 mm rubbers on the forehand and 1.9 mm on the backhand.
Do you think this configuration is good or is it too difficult to handle for a beginner like me?
Also, can I expect to improve my technique and generate a good spin with this racket (I read that Chinese rubbers produce a lot of spin because they are sticky, but are slower)?
Thanks everyone and sorry for the long post.
Barbara