I'm 2 years back, after a 15y hiatus. Currently at the point where I feel like investing so much time in all-wood was a waste with the current meta of the game.
A waste?
Because you can't compete with superior players with it in terms of speed doesn't make it a waste though.
In terms of developing technique to the point where you're ready to step up to higher level equipment with more speed, that's the value of it because I've yet to see anyone go straight to ALC and Tenergy and make it work.
I suppose there's a few ways to look at it. I have people around me who really prioritise match results, flat hitters who just want to punish opponents with that wild ugly flat smack. They couple it with tricky serves and a push game in an effort to limit opponents to few opportunities. It works to a certain level m, and then it just doesn't work at all. They have no development strategy for themselves and no real feeling for new shots or techniques that lead to improvement. And they stagnanted .
While others
prioritised development over results, took the beatings while they tried to put their training into matches and have now passed them out.
Development Strategy ignoring results and fancy equipment wins out...
Yes, you can make it work with high level rubber, but the top end speed just isn't there.
I guess it again depends on what level you're talking about and how you want to play. Top end speed is so often overrated and I think it's far more valuable to work on tactics and how a player builds points. Having great control of the ball is invaluable to build that, imo.
There are still players better than me using Rakza 7 and they have all the speed that need, once they've moved you out of position forget about it! 🙂. But that's just one approach and I myself now enjoy the Innerforce ALC with D80 but that's after 3 yrs.
When I see my teammate, who has been playing an Andro inner blade for 2y now, with a total of 3y experience, hit some major destructive balls, I just can't do that with wood. And my technique is absolutely better.
Theres different approaches to learning of course. With regular coaching anyone could start with faster, stiffer, harder equipment and learn the game properly.
In this case though, and purely with the intent of helping the OP make a good decision given everything I've read, we're talking about someone who admittedly has:
- become used to the active nature of T05, hinting at lazy technique?
- Finds it too jumpy in short game.
- Is happy with the blade but wants to change the blade (🤷♂️)
- Finds T05fx too bouncy and can't control blocks with it
- Has tried Rakza 7 and X on the blade but not enough power, spin when away from table, on a TB ALC.....
This all screams poor technique to me and the answer isn't in faster and professional grade equipment, at least not in any experience I've seen or had.
I'm moving to fiber, and it just isn't that hard to control. Inner, outer, it doesn't really matter as long as it's paired with a fitting rubber.
Because you developed your technique for 2 yrs with a wood blade and suitable rubbers is why I reckon this will work for you. But it IS hard to control, even for most advanced beginners to early intermediate level in my experience.
You're only ready when you're ready and I can't see how
ready is posting confusing stuff like the OP has.
Honestly, if
@Arlo likes the TB ALC, just stick with it.
Well yes. But he said he liked it but also wanted to change it cos the rubbers were worn out. I don't know what this means tbh.....
If the short game is too hard, grab a pair of Rozena instead of Tenergy.
Absolutely!
If it's just a backhand problem, stick it on the backhand only.
Downtuning the rubber will give you space to grow in the future without having to switch to a new blade.
'If' the TB ALC is controllable for him. But my guess based on what I've read is that it isn't. 🤷♂️
It's much, much easier to get used to new rubber (if they somewhat fit the whole setup).
And it's not like you're buying training wheels or something. We have some top level player using a no-brand blade and Vega Europe... But I can't get their topspin back on the table once they get me out of position.
Exactly my experience too V good players.
It's honestly not about the gear but about the player, and the combination of gear fitting the player.
For good players playing well, yes, it's not about the equipment.
For average players playing poorly with carbon blade and T05, I think it's at least some bit about the equipment!!
me overthinking ..nah cannot be. Problem never exists between floor and frame. Gym is not needed as I already go there twice (unless it's competition time, then once as it would be a bit much). but you are so right that more training geared towards the bouncyness is of course the way to go.
