Rubber and Blade Reccomendation for Beginner-Intermediate Player

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I am a relatively beginner-intermediate player, I had my first tournament last month and ended with a USATT rating of 700.

My current set up is an Andro Ligna TP CO, with Dignics 09c (I got it used for a good price and have been using for several months now). When I first bought the blade used it had Dinics 09c on FH and BH, but I've since replaced the BH with Nittaku Fastarc g-1. I'm happy with the slightly softer G1 for the BH to generate a bit more speed in a "lazy fashion" as I am unable to generate enough power with BH as of yet.

My playstyle is offensive, and I've lately been training my FH loop to be able to consistently put topspin and loop the long pushes that are common among beginner-intermediate rallies. I have essentially no BH loop, the only time I really use BH is to block, I'm not able to return a good BH return regardless of if it's a backspin or topsin ball. The best I can do when it's top spin is add a bit more speed with my BH, if it's a backspin I'll pretty much always push or try and move to use my FH. I definitely want to improve my BH in the coming months but one thing at a time....


At the time of getting the Andro blade I knew very little of table tennis equipment. I was simply recommended it and because it was a discount price purchased. After some research I was considering getting a slower blade, potentially all wood (Nittaku Acoustic) or a Carbon Inner blade. My reasoning was that by getting a slower blade, as well as more responsive blade (all wood), it will allow me to better work on my fundamentals, especially with my BH.

I am asking for any general tips, suggestions, recommendations, playstyle philosophies, etc. I am very eager to learn more and improve. In particular, I am wondering if it is a good idea to stick with my rubber combo (Dignics 09c for FH, G-1 for BH), which blades might be good for the combo, which blades might be bad for the combo and if so, any rubber alternatives, etc.

Thank you!
 
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your setup is way too fast for your 700 level, maybe if you are getting coaching, the blade would be ok with slower rubbers

I would email Cole at colestt.com and ask him to recommend a setup for your level

you will learn the strokes much faster with a setup that matches your level that you can grow into

btw, I have an acoustic, it's a great blade if you have the $ to get it, is it really worth 3X the price of many other fine 5 ply wood blades, no. You will not learn any faster. Spend the $ on lessons
 
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I'm also a beginner / lower internediate but can't really put a rating as I haven't been to any tournament yet. Basically just a basement player without coaching, who trains with a team that plays league matches.

I'd stay away from any carbon blades, they don't give you enough feedback on your strokes and are way to fast and stiff. I'd recommend to stick with 5 ply all wood blades. Less speed from the blade is better as you learn to give full power to your strokes and still get the ball on the table.

If $ is not an issue then the Nittaku Accustic should be fine (never played with it so can't judge), but as I saw it's quite expensive for an all wood blade. My first setup is a Yasaka Sweden Extra and it's an awesome blade, great for beginners. Having a good technique is very important and you can't skip fundamentals by acquiring a fast setup.
At first I thought that the YSE is a slow but actually it is just my technique that is not good. After some adjustments I could get decent speed out of it. But I also ordered a Butterfly Hadraw 5 (like Viscaria but without carbon, if I'm not mistaken), faster than YSE and costs like half the price of Nittaku. People recommend also the Primorac Made in Japan.

In terms of Rubbers, Rakza 7 is fine, sometimes bit weird but not bad in terms of control and durability, great for blocking. Spin wise decent, lacks top speed, very good BH rubber to start. Other than that I can also say that the Tibhar EVO nMX-P is good, faster than the Rakza7, spinnier, but still with lots of control. That's what I odered for the Hadraw 5 on both sides.

Cheers.
 
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I can’t say your next rubber but keep the current ones until they worn out unless money is no issue.
I don’t think they won’t be your biggest enemy, source of mistakes for now.

But of course, blade is more sellable, durable, collectable item. Outer koto carbons are different world, just any (inner/5ply) limba should be fine.
The rest is up to training.
 
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A carbon outer blade as a beginner is not what many would recommend indeed. If you can afford it a Nittaku Acoustic is a great choice which can surely be played with three times your current ratings. Dignics is not a beginner rubber and will hinder your progress
What rubbers would you recommend? My first rubber were Rozenas, and then Glayzer 09c and then what I have now.
 
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Do you think I should remove G1 from my BH and buy a sheet of rozena to use until I am better? Same for FH (Dignics > Glayzer)
Lol I just did exactly that myself. From G1 both sides to H3N on FH & Rozena on BH so I would def recommend. Regular Glayzer would probably be better (for the both us rn) but I wanted to try H3 unboosted which is REALLY slow.
 
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