Do you have more than one racket that you regularly use?

[dnelsen]

Or do you think it's better to focus on only one racket at a time?

I'm torn on this. I have two setups that I quite like, and it's fun to occasionally swap between the two and enjoy the benefits that one has over the other. They are fairly similar, so it's not night and day and doesn't seem to screw up my game very much when I switch back and forth. But the differences are substantial enough that whenever I swap I think "oh wow, this one really is a bit better for these particular shots".

On the other hand, I can't help wondering if I'm robbing myself of maximizing the potential progress of focusing only on one. Maybe I should think of the benefits of the other racket as an indicator of where I need to focus more.

Also, there is definitely some "grass is always greener on the other side" happening here, which I want to be cognizant of. Put another way, perhaps it's a negative symptom of EJ-ing.

So what do you think? Do you enjoy having more than one racket in regular rotation? If so, do you think it benefits your overall game? Or is it just that you enjoy the variety of swapping here and there?.... Or is it better to focus on just one, and treat other setups as sacrificial pawns on your way to the ultimate racket? (if there is such a thing). Or does focusing on just one help you you resist the EJ demons?

Note that I've been vague about how my two setups are different.... I'm curious about what you think about 2 or more setups more broadly. Undoubtedly people will chime in more specifically, and that's ok too of course.

Thanks

 

[Robin0910]

Or do you think it's better to focus on only one racket at a time?

yes, you can develop the most if you keep using the same setup if you like it

 

[Lazer]

I have 2 or 3 rackets setup but one is always number 1. The other ones come in during rubber changes and such...
The other ones are always are not that different.
For instance, I found out that Nittaku S-CZ is very close to Donic Appelgren WC 98. Same construction both made by Soulspin. So I keep one of each ready, Currently the Nittaku S-CZ is No:1

Cheers
L-zr

 

[dnelsen]

I have 2 or 3 rackets setup but one is always number 1. The other ones come in during rubber changes and such...
The other ones are always are not that different.
For instance, I found out that Nittaku S-CZ is very close to Donic Appelgren WC 98. Same construction both made by Soulspin. So I keep one of each ready, Currently the Nittaku S-CZ is No:1

Cheers
L-zr

So if I’m understanding you correctly, you’re using the other rackets to try out other rubbers before making the rubber switch on the primary racket?

 

[longle]

I have the main blade with suits my playing style - looping from middle distance, but I wanted to try the close-to-table fast exchanges so I bought a 2nd blade which is an ALC outer - it was great at warming up but in matches I realized it didn't work you can only have 1 playing style..

 

[Jslick89]

I have two rackets but they are they exact same set up. Slightly different feels though. I don't EJ and I don't experiment too much. I try to work on my technique and tactics if i want to increase my rating.

 

[Lazer]

So if I’m understanding you correctly, you’re using the other rackets to try out other rubbers before making the rubber switch on the primary racket?

That too, but the boosting process takes several days so during boosting as well.
Sometimes I just switch when the rubber is gone and prepare a new one in time for next rubber change.
The important thing is to have at least two that are close enough.

Cheers
L-zr

 

[mikeytt]

sometimes i like to play as a chopper for fun so i use that alongside my playing setup if that counts

 

[blahness]

I think im gonna put some anti rubber on my backup bat to cause some havoc and troll some ppl. It is funny that some ppl think there wouldnt be 3rd ball attacks from pips/anti players. Sorry but I still have my very strong FH inverted serves and my 3rd ball loop lol. They would be eating my serves for breakfast, but I would be pretty much immune to theirs. Would be quite a fun exercise especially to really teach those nasty boomers with illegal serves and equipment, that we can play their game too and do it even better.

 

[haggisv]

I only use one for competition, and an (almost) identical one as a backup in case I ever break it.
Although I'm sure you can get used to several setups, muscle memory and timing will always be a little different, and this usually takes more than a few sessions to adapt.
I have many other bats just to experiment and review, but it very rarely makes it onto my competition bat.

 

[netdriver]

i try to use one blade to play every game with it, training included

if i buy a new blade to use then ill try to stick to that new blade and let my old blades collect dust

but there are times when i had to go back to the previous blades ive used bc the results i had were simply better with said blade

 

[impluse101]

I think im gonna put some anti rubber on my backup bat to cause some havoc and troll some ppl. It is funny that some ppl think there wouldnt be 3rd ball attacks from pips/anti players. Sorry but I still have my very strong FH inverted serves and my 3rd ball loop lol. They would be eating my serves for breakfast, but I would be pretty much immune to theirs. Would be quite a fun exercise especially to really teach those nasty boomers with illegal serves and equipment, that we can play their game too and do it even better.

maybe setup of med/long pips and antispin. ~ then be blocker on drills lol

 

[netdriver]

I have the main blade with suits my playing style - looping from middle distance, but I wanted to try the close-to-table fast exchanges so I bought a 2nd blade which is an ALC outer - it was great at warming up but in matches I realized it didn't work you can only have 1 playing style..

choosing penhold blades is hard

the current blade im using (yasaka atletico spin with 2 thin outer carbon layers and koto outerply) has very nice RPB and very spinny but the power is not enough in mid-table

my other blade that i love (yasaka goiabao 5 with rosewood outer) has good forehand and decent RPB too but harder to create spin with compared to my current blade

i have a new blade that just arrived (stiga intense ccf with walnut outerply and CCF carbon) and i hope that it has the best of both worlds of the two blades i was using

 

[blahness]

maybe setup of med/long pips and antispin. ~ then be blocker on drills lol

Nah, I dont wanna lose my super strong serves and my FH 3rd ball loopkill. Just want something to deal with no toss hidden illegal serves by the boomers in the club. It's a bit too much to handle with inverted. At least with antispin BH, this part of the game is easy peasy lol... and this has max trolling effect on them.

 

[PickleRick]

I do switch between different setups regularly. Even for competition. Does it help me? No, certainly not. But for me it brings some more variety and fun to the game.

I already play for 30 years though, played at a respectable level and I have no real ambitions anymore in the sport apart from having fun. I certainly would not recommend switching between setups if you’re still trying to improve your level.

 

[Aizen]

Many rackets are no racket

Almost every six months, I change my rubbers (maybe blade) but not using two setup in same time, because If I like it, I'm using until I dislike it. If I don't like it at first couple sessions, I just take out, go back to old or try something newer.

Of course, I have a backup.

But If I had a more time and money, I would like to have a setup with some-pips to train my team mates time to time.