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So...I'm a decent local league player. UK level around 1000...win 50% ish in my local Premier Division...believe it equates to around a 1600 US ranking.
I grew up playing in the speed glue era...Mark V on forehand, GPS on backhand...Tibhar Rapid glue and a Joola carbon blade (Then latterly in that era a TSP Balsa All+ blade).
Then came back to the game when all that was ended...started out with Killerspin Fortissimo....have played with various Tenergy (05, 80)...a spell of short pips on backhand with a Joola Ultra...but now in recent times have been using a TSP Black Balsa 7.0, Omega 7 Pro Max on FH, and Rakza 7 2.0 on BH.
Style wise, I'm not as fit as once upon a time. That spell on short pips made me pretty dominant BH side....so no tend to look to open on BH with a flip, control the rally with my BH block game from close to the table, and be as aggressive as possible on anything that I can get my FH onto from close or mid table....with a hard fast hooking FH loop.
A lot of my game is built around trying to win cheap points off my own serves, have always had good touch and varied grip pressure to change ball response in the touch game, and to look to manoeuvre the opponent until I can get in and press the attack.
Realistically I'm not all out aggression...but lean to attacking at any opportunity I can and whilst the forehand remains the primary 'point finisher' have been working on the BH to be less about lifting/slow role and move towards a more aggressive/intentful BH opening.
Lastly, again a carry over from the pips, I play a BH side spin chop block quite effectively.
Which leads me to the ultimate reason for the post.
I'm re-evaluating my setup, wondering if there is a more appropriate setup for my style or way I play. I've bought a couple of Chinese blades to try out (Sanwei 75 inner, Yinhe v14 Pro ALC)....and am considering rubber combos.
Ideally I'd like to move towards cheaper rubbers and was looking at all the Chinese options, but also with my glue era upbringing and having always used Tensor am not sure if this is a smart move or not. Also with a consideration to a different blade from the balsa which always felt all or nothing....which rubbers would suit my style. I put my Omega on the Yinhe and it feels a cannon but I doubt will give me the touch around the table I probably still need in the short game. I'm awaiting the Sanwei and have high hopes for that with if I understand right a slightly longer/softer feel on low power shots but the carbon coming through on the harder shots.
Am looking at FH rubbers and wondering Razka 9, Rasanter 48...and thinking maybe FastArc G1 on the BH....but also with the Hybrid options now, and frankly so many to choose from it all becomes a minefield.
Be really interested to know what those in this more learned community think might work for me, where I should lean....or what I should consider that might develop or help my game stylistically.
I grew up playing in the speed glue era...Mark V on forehand, GPS on backhand...Tibhar Rapid glue and a Joola carbon blade (Then latterly in that era a TSP Balsa All+ blade).
Then came back to the game when all that was ended...started out with Killerspin Fortissimo....have played with various Tenergy (05, 80)...a spell of short pips on backhand with a Joola Ultra...but now in recent times have been using a TSP Black Balsa 7.0, Omega 7 Pro Max on FH, and Rakza 7 2.0 on BH.
Style wise, I'm not as fit as once upon a time. That spell on short pips made me pretty dominant BH side....so no tend to look to open on BH with a flip, control the rally with my BH block game from close to the table, and be as aggressive as possible on anything that I can get my FH onto from close or mid table....with a hard fast hooking FH loop.
A lot of my game is built around trying to win cheap points off my own serves, have always had good touch and varied grip pressure to change ball response in the touch game, and to look to manoeuvre the opponent until I can get in and press the attack.
Realistically I'm not all out aggression...but lean to attacking at any opportunity I can and whilst the forehand remains the primary 'point finisher' have been working on the BH to be less about lifting/slow role and move towards a more aggressive/intentful BH opening.
Lastly, again a carry over from the pips, I play a BH side spin chop block quite effectively.
Which leads me to the ultimate reason for the post.
I'm re-evaluating my setup, wondering if there is a more appropriate setup for my style or way I play. I've bought a couple of Chinese blades to try out (Sanwei 75 inner, Yinhe v14 Pro ALC)....and am considering rubber combos.
Ideally I'd like to move towards cheaper rubbers and was looking at all the Chinese options, but also with my glue era upbringing and having always used Tensor am not sure if this is a smart move or not. Also with a consideration to a different blade from the balsa which always felt all or nothing....which rubbers would suit my style. I put my Omega on the Yinhe and it feels a cannon but I doubt will give me the touch around the table I probably still need in the short game. I'm awaiting the Sanwei and have high hopes for that with if I understand right a slightly longer/softer feel on low power shots but the carbon coming through on the harder shots.
Am looking at FH rubbers and wondering Razka 9, Rasanter 48...and thinking maybe FastArc G1 on the BH....but also with the Hybrid options now, and frankly so many to choose from it all becomes a minefield.
Be really interested to know what those in this more learned community think might work for me, where I should lean....or what I should consider that might develop or help my game stylistically.
