Lower level player (sub 1400) using ALC + 09C vs more controlled equipment?

[Novarac23]

Here’s my 2 cents on a topic (for what its worth from someone who has started around ~1000 USATT last year and is now playing around 1500/1600ish (at least that’s what I’ve been told)):

In the first 3-6 months of playing I was changing blades frequently (from 5 ply maze advanced to dima ovtcharov alc) and also changing rubbers frequently (rakza 7, digincs etc etc). I wasn’t really improving much. Then I really started to put work in and invested in a robot, proper coaching and I got more serious about analyzing my game. For my setup I kept it simple, Sanwei Fextra 7 with G1 / C1 combo. I only started seeing improvements once I‘ve put in the serious work. This blade worked for me because of the way it felt when I was playing with it and the feedback I was getting. So I agree with advice to get something that _feels_ right and you don’t feel like you’re holding a rocket launcher you can’t control and then put in the work because that’s what makes you better.

Just this week I have been experimenting with a different blade, Hugo HAL (G1 / C1 combo) and its not because I needed more speed but the feedback and the feel I had when playing with it was amazing. Had a robot session + a serious intense coaching session and it still feels great. Lots of power + lots of cotrol + lots of feedback and it doesn’t feel like it’s too fast for me.

All of this is to say, get something you feel confident in, you love playing with and it gives you a great feeling. Then be desciplined and put in the work. If you find something that gives you better feeling and it feels like it fits like a glove you can change but don’t just keep changing the blades because you think it will all of a sudden make you better because it won’t only putting in the work will

 

[NoSpin]

I play with penhold, which is naturally a more open grip. I also take the ball late in rallies, often level with / under the table. This makes it much more comfortable for me to play with a low-throw rubber.

Even pros who play with D09c don't play loops with an open racket. The high throw angle will not allow it. I think it's uncontroversial to say that you can't play as powerfully with D09c as you can with H3, and I think that the throw angle is part of why -- if you have to point your racket substantially downwards while hitting the ball then you are not actually applying force perpendicular to the direction of the ball.

I'm not saying you can't loop with D09c -- obviously you can, or pros wouldn't use it. I'm explaining why I don't particularly like it and that it does have an unnaturally high throw angle compared to other rubbers. I am also explaining why another amateur player, who doesn't have the technique of Timo Boll or FZD, might not like it or benefit from it.

You can get used to D09c and get extremely good with it but objectively speaking D09c has a lot of odd properties. Clearly my technique is at play in why I don't like it, because I've learned to play with low-throw rubbers. But why do you assume that my technique must be poor and that my experience is nonsense? You are just being mean for no reason.

I'm actually giving D09c another try right now, this time on backhand. I'm loving it for quick counterspins at the table, but if I get pushed back I'm finding it substantially more difficult to play powerful loops compared to H3.

I saw a few reviews on 09c just like what you are saying here but it has nothing common with my experience: you can hit through the ball with power (and open racket) using 09c and get fast low ball and its not some advanced technique. And I say even more: with 09c you care about bat angle much less vs rakza7 or similar bouncy tensor.
Sry for being mean.

 

[piligrim]

I say yes, you are hurting yourself by using fast equipment.

Rakza 7 is probably not the antidote -- it is for beginners and you are not a beginner.

Rakza 7 for sure not for beginners

 

[vanjr]

Responses are all over the place on this thread.
I will contradict a few of them:

R7 is NOT a beginner rubber!

Just putting H3 neo on both sides is terrible advice (unless you are a kid and have a full time Chinese coach) for 99% of people.

IF you are playing a lot (3 or more days a week), you equipment choice is ok.

Some positive: a coach-if you can find one-almost non-existent where I live.

The advice to get a set up and work on technique (use you tube or other on-line resources) as much as possible.