Beating the plateau at low intermediate level

[Tyce]

I know this is a boring answer..... Coaching. Do you have access to it?

I know some adults who have had coaching recently, and they've improved a lot (from already being an OK standard).

I find people often try and look for the "perfect" set up - Not too fast, not too slow etc etc.

And in reality.... Coaching would be the best thing, because if you are constantly worrying about the small differences in equipment, it's the technique that needs the focus, not the set up.

And yes, I know that is a super boring answer..... But you'd benefit the most if you could find a coach!

Oh 100% on point. I need to figure out how to get from A to B, and it's not by selecting a new band-aid to stick on the problem. The main thing I wanted to know is if other people had the same experience adapting to tensor rubber and what they did that might help me.

 

[NDH]

Oh 100% on point. I need to figure out how to get from A to B, and it's not by selecting a new band-aid to stick on the problem. The main thing I wanted to know is if other people had the same experience adapting to tensor rubber and what they did that might help me.

I think your concerns disappear completely after..... 6 to 10 sessions with a good coach.

Tenergy05 is one of the easiest rubbers to play "lazy" shots with - The rubber does so much of the work.

So if you find that too taxing, I'm not sure where you can go really.

Without seeing you play (and gauging your current level), I would bet a good amount of money that after 10 sessions with a good coach, you'd be able to play "comfortably" with any rubber of your choice.

Confidence and technique play a much bigger role than the rubber here.

HOWEVER..... If that wasn't a possibility (and again, without knowing your level it's hard to advise), you *didn't* have access to a coach.... I'd say to stick with Energy 05 and just get a feel for NOT going 100%.

Like you found out, it's an amazing rubber when swinging freely, but unlike you, I think it's also amazing at those lazy shots (vs something like D09C which requires much more effort).

The big downside to T05 for me is how reactive it is - If you aren't confident and play half shots, or just stick the bat out there and hope for the best, T05 is quite unforgiving.

 

[Yuomay]

Background: I played from 1997 to 2010, quit the sport and returned in 2024.
So I've seen the changes from 21 to 11, 38 to 40mm (celluloid), the fall of glue and the early rise of tensors.

I have always played in the lower regional leagues, and also always felt like I was capable of more. But when push comes to shove, I keep finding myself missing simple balls yet landing the difficult ones.
I am on my best rating ever, but I feel like more and more of a beginner making so many stupid misses and half-assed balls, being on the back foot, out of place, and just winning the points on a combination of grit, luck and outright serves. Simply put, I don't feel a solid base that will help me if I do manage to promote. It doesn't help that I've been structurally losing in training matches to those players that are on a rating and playing level where I feel I should be.

It still feels however, like the game I used to play doesn't exist anymore, it's physically impossible with today's balls, but I think I lost it already when I made my first switch to (light) tensors. I read something the other day about classic rubbers depending heavily on the flex of the blade, and the introduction of tensor rubber switching the focus to engaging the rubber. After I switched from using Tibhar Vari Spin and Donic Vario (back in the 2000s) to more dynamic rubbers, I just feel like I never made it click properly. (I never used speed glue myself)

Coming back to the current day, I still feel like none of the gear I've tried so far is making me feel comfortable. The transition from mainly using "blade whip" (I had a very flexy Appelgren Allplay) to using "rubber snap" (what the tensor feeling is to me) just outright kills the feeling of stability and confidence for me.
However, playing Tenergy 05, when I play completely loose, and commit to every single shot, the results are wonderful. That's very demanding though.

But using sticky rubbers just feels way too demanding to get the ball going reliably. I have a desk-job physique, and as much as I like these rubbers when I *can* deliver the shot, most of the time I can't.
Now, it's easy to just give up and go back to classic rubbers. And truthfully, I would probably make it work and never miss out on anything spin- or speedwise on my current play level. I encounter plenty of people using the likes of Sriver, Mark V, Vari Spin and Vario.
But I don't want to stay at my current play level.

I've tried a lot of rubbers, and to be honest I just don't think the problem is in any specific rubber, but in my adaptation of them. So before springing on yet another set of rubbers and making a gamble on what I want to try and adapt to next, I need to figure out what I'm missing in properly adapting to using dynamic rubber because at this point I'd much rather learn what to do to grow into my gear instead of changing something *again*.
I feel like most things I can do at home without a table just don't really have enough impact to train the feeling of engagement. Whereas when I was starting as a kid, bouncing the ball was a very simple method that allowed me to time my blade's whip, and it translated to table play very well. Now it just feels like I'm feathering the rubber when I keep up a ball. Unless I want to hit the ceiling every single time of course. If anything, that teaches me to hold back.

So what helped you to adapt to tensors? Or what would you do to teach someone to build up their feeling of reliability?

It’s like reading a summary of what I experience. And every time I feel like I figured it out I move up a level and it’s like it starts again haha.

Also I confirm having tried a lot of equipment but not the high end fast stuff. It doesn’t seem to matter with what I play I seem to beat the same players, it just changes comfort.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Already have it

When everything falls into place, my stance is good, my head is good, the combination of G-1 and Innerforce ALC is absolutely lovely. But when one domino falls, everything goes to sh*t.

Sounds like user issue, not product malfunction. Warranty claim denied.

 

[Amayzde]

I have a few questions though:
1. What exactly would be wrong with sticking with Tenergy? Its too demanding? Can't you just pace yourself a bit better in matches to not give it all in the first game?
2. How long have you actually played with the same tensor without changing in between?

This is a story/experience I can resonate with.

I played from 2007 to 2015, had to quit due to injury but tried again in 2023 and so far so good. This break is also what kind of helped me overcoming my limitations I had before (besides the injury).

Allthough I havent had any problems specificly with tensor rubbers. I did struggle with equipment alot. I was a huge EJ and tried every single mainstream rubber back then. I changed so often to the point no rubber would feel great.

Starting again after this long break gave me a new perspective. And although I initially started out with a big EJ again. I fell into the trap of using Cybershape with DNA Hybrid. After not really liking how this played I though to myself: "Lets not get into this rabbit hole again and just get a rubber and blade you cant go wrong with." So my new and boring setup was born: Ma Lin Carbon and G-1 on both sides."

I have been playing with this now for nearly 3 years. And sometimes I still try new things, but I try to be very cautious about my changes. For example: this season I am trying Rakza 7 as my backhand rubber. Why? Because its slightly easier to use as G-1. Drawback? Its less deadly then G-1. Result: less point won by attacking with my backhand, but also losing less because of backhand errors.

Anyways my takeaways after that story:
1. You will make more progression by getting structured training then buying a supposedly slightly better rubber
2. Even if you do get a rubber that is supposedly 10-15% more spinny or faster. Will you actually win 10-15% more? Probably not.
3. Every upgrade also comes with downgrades. You just dont know them untill you tested them for a longer period.
4. It takes time adapting to new equipment. It takes months getting used to new quipment and trust it like your old familiar setup. Months you could have used focussing on improvement instead of adapting.
5. If you really struggle with adapting to something new you should ask yourself why you made the change in the first place.

 

[Tyce]

I have done a bit of senseless switching. However, for the past 6 months I've been using my current setup, being IFL ALC with G1 and C1.
If I had to choose only from past rubbers, I would probably go to Rakza 7. The main reason I use G1 over R7 is that G1 is more forgiving in short and passive strokes. I don't think I can top out Rakza 7 even if it seems less dangerous, we have people playing in "1e klasse" who use it to create spins that are very hard to return (by their opponents, not just me).
Gun to head, if I had to pick something for the next 6 months, I would take R7 or perhaps Aurus.

EDIT: funny, I also have a Ma Lin Carbon in the closet which I bought as a middle ground blade between Korbel and Innerforce ALC. Mine is slightly heavy though, but still has that hollow feel. I am still undecided on that one.

I know I'm not going to magically improve just by changing gear, and changing gear is not necessarily my intention. On the contrary, I feel that regardless of the specifics, every rubber I've tried over the past two years has been unsuccessful in making things click for me in terms of how to properly play with it.
I am fairly certain this is due to having learned some bad habits right off the bat (pun intended) by learning to primarily make use of the blade's flex for applying speed and spin, rather than learning how to engage a rubber in such a way that I can make the ball shoot out in the direction, with the speed and spin, I want, reliably.

Lastly, I feel the T05 thing is missing a bit of context. I have tried used sheets of T05 that came with some blades I have bought, and I've used it for testing only.
I get that you hardly need an optimal form to get some sort of loop out of it. As soon as I became tentative about whether I should drive, loop, or push though, that's when balls start flying everywhere. And I'm not a "loop every ball" person by nature, playing T05 would require committing to a much more loop-offensive focused style.

 

[Airoc]

(I never used speed glue myself)

Considering Tensor was announced as a speed glue replacement, you kinda replaced something you never had.

I would not give a beginner classic rubbers anymore, but I also wouldn´t take them away from someone who enjoys and succeeds playing with them.

So maybe you should try a Vari Spin or Vario on one side again, and if that feels good, slap the other one on, too.

Chances are the old feeling comes back.

 

[Tyce]

Considering Tensor was announced as a speed glue replacement, you kinda replaced something you never had.

I would not give a beginner classic rubbers anymore, but I also wouldn´t take them away from someone who enjoys and succeeds playing with them.

So maybe you should try a Vari Spin or Vario on one side again, and if that feels good, slap the other one on, too.

Chances are the old feeling comes back.

I would rather move forward at this point. I last played classic rubbers probably around 2003-2004 but by the time I switched I was a senior player already and the coaching and guidance I got as a junior wasn't there anymore. Since then I've only held a few other player's bats with it.

 

[victormanriquey]

Allthough I havent had any problems specificly with tensor rubbers. I did struggle with equipment alot. I was a huge EJ and tried every single mainstream rubber back then. I changed so often to the point no rubber would feel great.

Very relatable to most people I help with gear and also many people I know of

"Lets not get into this rabbit hole again and just get a rubber and blade you cant go wrong with." So my new and boring setup was born: Ma Lin Carbon and G-1 on both sides."

I like boring, like @NDH said before, sometimes boring is all you need in TT, after all is a sport of repetition, boring is what drills mean, but you still have to do it, so I nowadays enjoy boring

Anyways my takeaways after that story:
1. You will make more progression by getting structured training then buying a supposedly slightly better rubber
2. Even if you do get a rubber that is supposedly 10-15% more spinny or faster. Will you actually win 10-15% more? Probably not.
3. Every upgrade also comes with downgrades. You just dont know them untill you tested them for a longer period.
4. It takes time adapting to new equipment. It takes months getting used to new quipment and trust it like your old familiar setup. Months you could have used focussing on improvement instead of adapting.
5. If you really struggle with adapting to something new you should ask yourself why you made the change in the first place.

Very true, is gewoon zo @Amayzde

If I had to choose only from past rubbers, I would probably go to Rakza 7. The main reason I use G1 over R7 is that G1 is more forgiving in short and passive strokes. I don't think I can top out Rakza 7 even if it seems less dangerous, we have people playing in "1e klasse" who use it to create spins that are very hard to return (by their opponents, not just me).

One guy that plays in our club, used to play national india team under 14. He plays with R7 and in the highest regional division (hoofdklasse) and all good, so R7 can work. His frame is as stiff as it can be and very fast, so that also must be said

 

[Amayzde]

like boring, like @NDH said before, sometimes boring is all you need in TT, after all is a sport of repetition, boring is what drills mean, but you still have to do it, so I nowadays enjoy boring

Agreed haha. Doing the same boring drills with the same boring equipment is usually the best way forward.

But this 'boredom' should eventually lead to satisfaction when you finally see the improvements.

Like the famous Bruce Lee quote: "I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times"

 

[victormanriquey]

Agreed haha. Doing the same boring drills with the same boring equipment is usually the best way forward.

But this 'boredom' should eventually lead to satisfaction when you finally see the improvements.

Like the famous Bruce Lee quote: "I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times"

amen to that, must be one hell of a kick

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

fear not the man who plays with a thousand different rubbers but rather fear the man who played a thousand hours with one rubber.

Nah, I don't buy that BS!

 

[andymagata]

Did you try short pips?

When chinese rubbers becomes tackier, japanese grippier and european bouncier, maybe that lost feeling is in the short pips.

 

[Tyce]

Did you try short pips?

When chinese rubbers becomes tackier, japanese grippier and european bouncier, maybe that lost feeling is in the short pips.

I have only played some SP a long, long time ago and they were old enough to be near frictionless... Well, come to think of it I did play some more recently but it was only a few balls and the adjustment was huge.
I don't see myself playing them, as one of the things I love about table tennis is the ridiculous amount of spin in the game. But never say never.

 

[Lazer]

fear not the man who plays with a thousand different rubbers but rather fear the man who played a thousand hours with one rubber.

Nah, I don't buy that BS!
View attachment 40917

1.9 ??? Due to the weight?

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Amayzde]

Gun to head, if I had to pick something for the next 6 months, I would take R7 or perhaps Aurus.

EDIT: funny, I also have a Ma Lin Carbon in the closet which I bought as a middle ground blade between Korbel and Innerforce ALC. Mine is slightly heavy though, but still has that hollow feel. I am still undecided on that one.

How would you think about R7 with Ma Lin Carbon or Korbel?

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

1.9 ??? Due to the weight?

Cheers
L-zr

Not due to weight, due to vendor having good discount on this particular model at that particuular time.

 

[Tyce]

How would you think about R7 with Ma Lin Carbon or Korbel?

I would consider those options, yes. I think I haven't used R7 on Korbel yet, my sheets are all done for.

 

[NextLevel]

I think your concerns disappear completely after..... 6 to 10 sessions with a good coach.

Tenergy05 is one of the easiest rubbers to play "lazy" shots with - The rubber does so much of the work.

So if you find that too taxing, I'm not sure where you can go really.

Without seeing you play (and gauging your current level), I would bet a good amount of money that after 10 sessions with a good coach, you'd be able to play "comfortably" with any rubber of your choice.

Confidence and technique play a much bigger role than the rubber here.

HOWEVER..... If that wasn't a possibility (and again, without knowing your level it's hard to advise), you *didn't* have access to a coach.... I'd say to stick with Energy 05 and just get a feel for NOT going 100%.

Like you found out, it's an amazing rubber when swinging freely, but unlike you, I think it's also amazing at those lazy shots (vs something like D09C which requires much more effort).

The big downside to T05 for me is how reactive it is - If you aren't confident and play half shots, or just stick the bat out there and hope for the best, T05 is quite unforgiving.

For people who find Tenergy 05 too jumpy there is always Tenergy 19. Easy to spin with, juat not as easy to get amazing shots with. In the emd though, I usually find that Tyce is discussing a game that has changed so much in nostalgic terms. There really is no answer loss of old school spin even in coaching, Timo Boll made me accept it. Accepting that the old school game is dead is hard. I have a friend who can't accept that his spin game can no longer keep 2300 players under control. But over time, when you have tried everything, you just accept the reality with each new loss.

What coaching (and it has to be really good coaching) can do is open up new possibilities for your game. But whether that solves or addresses dissatisfaction with being unable to beat the players you want to beat or your ability to play the balls you once used to be able to play. I don't know.

 

[Amayzde]

I would consider those options, yes. I think I haven't used R7 on Korbel yet, my sheets are all done for.

I would say give it a try on either blade you trust the most and stick with it until at least the end of the autumn season (najaarscompetitie) 2026.

For people who find Tenergy 05 too jumpy there is always Tenergy 19.

Also a good consideration. But only if Tenergy 05 was great on offensive shots but a bit too uncontrollable when under pressure. Judging by his story Tenergy 05 was punishing every time he was not able to commit 100% to his shots.