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I know a lot of people say to not EJ and focus on developing skills. But I have found that testing out a variety of rubbers actually enhances your skills. Usually when people test out a new rubber that they aren't used to, they immediately decide "its not right for me" or I even see people say "this rubber is garbage".
I, on the other hand, hate to see a rubber go to waste so I try to play through a rubber until it feels normal to me. I have found that this actually enhances my skill because it forces me to improve any skills or techniques that were lacking. Also it forces you to learn new aspects of the game to play to the rubber's potential.
For example:
I tested out Donic Bluegrip S1 on bh. At first it felt too slow to me, but I realized it had advantages in push and loop with the light tackiness. I would play 10% slower but 15% more quality, and I would win points with more strategy.
I tested Big Dipper on bh and it felt way too hard to me. But I realized I needed to follow through more on my bh loop and it helped improve my technique.
I tested out Triple Double on backhand, and in some ways it felt slower and more dead. But I also noticed that I could generally execute my rallies better with more consistency and control. I trade 10% speed for 15% better execution.
I recently tested Rhyzen ZGR on bh and at first it felt impossibly hard. But recently I've been playing better with it and enjoying it more. It also forces me to execute my strokes cleanly.
So for some of you who want to test rubbers but are afraid it will mess with your game: my advice is to go into it with the right mentality. Don't put all the blame on the rubber and let the rubber tell you where to improve or how to play better.
I, on the other hand, hate to see a rubber go to waste so I try to play through a rubber until it feels normal to me. I have found that this actually enhances my skill because it forces me to improve any skills or techniques that were lacking. Also it forces you to learn new aspects of the game to play to the rubber's potential.
For example:
I tested out Donic Bluegrip S1 on bh. At first it felt too slow to me, but I realized it had advantages in push and loop with the light tackiness. I would play 10% slower but 15% more quality, and I would win points with more strategy.
I tested Big Dipper on bh and it felt way too hard to me. But I realized I needed to follow through more on my bh loop and it helped improve my technique.
I tested out Triple Double on backhand, and in some ways it felt slower and more dead. But I also noticed that I could generally execute my rallies better with more consistency and control. I trade 10% speed for 15% better execution.
I recently tested Rhyzen ZGR on bh and at first it felt impossibly hard. But recently I've been playing better with it and enjoying it more. It also forces me to execute my strokes cleanly.
So for some of you who want to test rubbers but are afraid it will mess with your game: my advice is to go into it with the right mentality. Don't put all the blame on the rubber and let the rubber tell you where to improve or how to play better.
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