control > speed & spin?

[Draf]

Accidentally brought my kids’ 5-ply blade with two sheets of 927 Super FX Soft to practice a few days ago. Training was exhausting because I had to put in a lot more effort to achieve the same quality of shots as I normally do with my usual setup.

The only problem? I just kept winning matches with it. Not because I was doing anything spectacular, top end quality of my shots are probably lower, but I kept getting one more ball on the table than my opponents. In other words, I just wasn’t making mistakes.

So far, this trend has lasted only two training sessions, but if it continues, I’m seriously considering making the switch permanent.

Training is less fun, but winning matches is more fun. 😉It is also slightly humiliating using these training rubbers. Anyone with similar experience?

 

[Haito]

Training is less fun, but winning matches is more fun. 😉It is also slightly humiliating using these training rubbers. Anyone with similar experience?

Why is it humiliating. To whom is it humiliating?

What is your usual setup? The H3 39 and Vega Eu from you profile do not sound like a turbo too fast of a speed.

 

[Draf]

Why is it humiliating. To whom is it humiliating?

What is your usual setup? The H3 39 and Vega Eu from you profile do not sound like a turbo too fast of a speed.

To me, I want to be able to handle an outer-carbon blade with Dignics 05 Hard + Dignics 09C, like all the other semi-pros on this forum But instead, this happens, which seems to suggest that my level is so low that I should be using beginner rubbers… my poor ego can’t take it. 😉

 

[Haito]

To me, I want to be able to handle an outer-carbon blade with Dignics 05 Hard + Dignics 09C, like all the other semi-pros on this forum But instead, this happens, which seems to suggest that my level is so low that I should be using beginner rubbers… my poor ego can’t take it. 😉

Oh yeah, that ish way too fast.. I've been there. Humility wins XD

 

[Amaken23]

I mean...without control, you won't improve either spin or speed

 

[ck1407]

Accidentally brought my kids’ 5-ply blade with two sheets of 927 Super FX Soft to practice a few days ago. Training was exhausting because I had to put in a lot more effort to achieve the same quality of shots as I normally do with my usual setup.

The only problem? I just kept winning matches with it. Not because I was doing anything spectacular, top end quality of my shots are probably lower, but I kept getting one more ball on the table than my opponents. In other words, I just wasn’t making mistakes.

So far, this trend has lasted only two training sessions, but if it continues, I’m seriously considering making the switch permanent.

Training is less fun, but winning matches is more fun. 😉It is also slightly humiliating using these training rubbers. Anyone with similar experience?

As long your equipment is helping u to win, I think u can't complain on your set up.

Since your current equipment has good control, you should work towards areas like looping and etc. I am assuming you are winning cause you push most balls and attack when the ball is high. If this is true, you can work towards identifying half-long or long serves and start the point by initiating with a forehand/backhand loop. This should help you get into topspin rallies which is definitely more fun. Once you think you develop skills you want, challenge better players and decide if you need to refine your techniques or update your equipment

 

[Draf]

As long your equipment is helping u to win, I think u can't complain on your set up.

Since your current equipment has good control, you should work towards areas like looping and etc. I am assuming you are winning cause you push most balls and attack when the ball is high. If this is true, you can work towards identifying half-long or long serves and start the point by initiating with a forehand/backhand loop. This should help you get into topspin rallies which is definitely more fun. Once you think you develop skills you want, challenge better players and decide if you need to refine your techniques or update your equipment

I do a decent job opening up against long serves, but I struggle more with half-long balls. I think the biggest improvement has been in my rallying. The lack of power seems to help me get more balls on the table.

If I back off the table and get into loop-to-loop rallies, though, I’m cooked. Luckily, most points are over within the first five shots, so that doesn’t happen very often. 😉

 

[Haito]

I do a decent job opening up against long serves, but I struggle more with half-long balls. I think the biggest improvement has been in my rallying. The lack of power seems to help me get more balls on the table.

If I back off the table and get into loop-to-loop rallies, though, I’m cooked. Luckily, most points are over within the first five shots, so that doesn’t happen very often. 😉

Join me on my gym workout plan.

 

[RPB Enthusiast]

Accidentally brought my kids’ 5-ply blade with two sheets of 927 Super FX Soft to practice a few days ago. Training was exhausting because I had to put in a lot more effort to achieve the same quality of shots as I normally do with my usual setup.

The only problem? I just kept winning matches with it. Not because I was doing anything spectacular, top end quality of my shots are probably lower, but I kept getting one more ball on the table than my opponents. In other words, I just wasn’t making mistakes.

So far, this trend has lasted only two training sessions, but if it continues, I’m seriously considering making the switch permanent.

Training is less fun, but winning matches is more fun. 😉It is also slightly humiliating using these training rubbers. Anyone with similar experience?

Fast rubbers can be fun during training, but you might not have the confidence with your shots because of the control. For example, I really liked Zyre-03 on my FH with the Viscaria Super ALC I was using, but I always felt that I wasn't able to perform the shots I could with my Chinese rubbers. Right now I'm using Dignics 09c on my FH so I can ease into my Chinese rubber, and I ordered my DHS Skyline 2 Blue Sponge and I'll use it sometime in November. It doesn't have the speed like Zyre-03 does, but the spin potential, control, and placement I can do better with is worth it, plus it's cheaper 😎

 

[Archosaurus]

I think a lot of it depends on your playing tactics and what kind of mistakes your opponents tend to make.

There's opponents I would play against better with a super slow and soft setup just blocking and pushing because it could make the ball floatier and encourage them to hit it out, and then there's opponents who I have no chance against if I don't go for high quality on the opening shots and receives, because the shot that will come back will be unmanageable no matter what my setup if I don't give them something they need to respect.

 

[ZSQ]

Table tennis is a sport where the mind matters more than the body. There are many ways to win, and everything is built on control: controlling your body, your footwork, your racket, your power, the ball's speed, spin, placement, and even your opponent.

I’ve met many players who love to use backspin, sidespin, short pushes, and changes of direction to move their opponents around, keeping them from getting into the topspin rallies they’re comfortable with. Only when the opponent makes a serious misjudgment or gets their footwork tangled do they deliver the finishing blow. That’s a very good tactic.

We’ve all seen many players lose matches because of a momentary impulse. They don’t lack skill—what they lack is calm thinking, which leaves them unable to control themselves.

If speed and spin were the most important things, players wouldn’t need to face each other at all. They could just set up instruments in the venue to measure the speed and spin of the ball, and the players could line up to be measured.

 

[Dr Evil]

control >>>>> speed & spin

 

[Lazer]

Accidentally brought my kids’ 5-ply blade with two sheets of 927 Super FX Soft to practice a few days ago. Training was exhausting because I had to put in a lot more effort to achieve the same quality of shots as I normally do with my usual setup.

The only problem? I just kept winning matches with it. Not because I was doing anything spectacular, top end quality of my shots are probably lower, but I kept getting one more ball on the table than my opponents. In other words, I just wasn’t making mistakes.

So far, this trend has lasted only two training sessions, but if it continues, I’m seriously considering making the switch permanent.

Training is less fun, but winning matches is more fun. 😉It is also slightly humiliating using these training rubbers. Anyone with similar experience?

You have just discovered the most basic thing with a table tennis racket:

Speed + spin is virtually direct inverse with control… If you have a racket that is too advanced you will hesitate your strokes and therefore develop slower…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[ThePongCommenter]

What this likely means is that your opponents are simply low level... after a certain level of play, a training level racket like that would actually have LESS control because it wouldn't be able to handle a certain level of incoming quality. Use it for however long it works for you, but understand that once you get to a certain level it won't hold up anymore, and you will also suffer for the lack of ability to create quality.

 

[Tyce]

Finding a good middle ground is very important. I don't think any of the three elements are more important than the other.

You need spin to create pressure, to dip the ball, to confuse the opponent and keep them from attacking.
You need speed to keep the opponent moving, so they don't get too much time to fire off deadly shots.
You need control to get the ball where you need it to be, to overcome the opponent's efforts.

Too slow a setup and you won't be able to get that ball near the end of the table in a controlled fashion, or even get it over the net at all. But playing a lot of short, dead balls where the opponent expects deeper, more energetic returns can be very effective until they adapt.

I've had a similar experience with the club's loaner rackets. Also super fx. I was able to hit through backspin very easily and with a slow 5ply there's even enough time to get some half decent spin on the ball. But I can't hit a winner with it, I land the balls half long, very safe, and once my opponent realizes they're up against a toothless tiger they will smack me to pieces.

 

[belllfador]

Accidentally brought my kids’ 5-ply blade with two sheets of 927 Super FX Soft to practice a few days ago. Training was exhausting because I had to put in a lot more effort to achieve the same quality of shots as I normally do with my usual setup.

The only problem? I just kept winning matches with it. Not because I was doing anything spectacular, top end quality of my shots are probably lower, but I kept getting one more ball on the table than my opponents. In other words, I just wasn’t making mistakes.

So far, this trend has lasted only two training sessions, but if it continues, I’m seriously considering making the switch permanent.

Training is less fun, but winning matches is more fun. 😉It is also slightly humiliating using these training rubbers. Anyone with similar experience?

It is normal. 729 Super FX Soft is very safe rubber with excellent control near the table. Currently, I consider it not dangerous, but it has some potential, like choping rubber. You can try MP or SP for extra fun.

Your story reminds me of my transition from Omega V and R42 to Mark V and Xiom Musa. I played a lot better with slow and linear rubbers. At that time, my choice of equipment was strongly influenced by the TT trend - tensors and carbon blade. Lost a lot of time trying to adjust.

 

[jonol]

It's a bit of a balancing act.

Control is good, but you want something with a quality ceiling that still encourages you to go for winners. Doesn't need to be anything like a Viscaria with dignics, you can do that just fine with a solid 5ply and Rakza 7 too.

Very controlled setups can start to become a liability against strong players, because your controlled shots are really just winners for the opponent, and you need to actually pressure them.

I also find that a lack of speed or spin can start to feel like a lack of control in a lot of situations. With faster setups I can comfortably brush the ball and still go for counters and powerloops while 3-4 steps behind the table. With slower setups I need to hit with a thicker contact and focus on safely clearing the net, and it becomes a lot more defensive because the lack of speed and spin starts to make it too difficult to pressure the opponent from that distance.