Rubbers and blade for a begginer

[huffs53]

Hello, I've been playing TT for around two months at a club and have been using the following setup:

Blade: DHS Hurricane 301
FH: Xiom Vega X Max
BH: Xiom Vega Korea Max

Do you think this setup is too advanced for a beginner, or should I stick with it until I reach an intermediate level?

 

[FH_Project]

Blade: yes way too advanced. I would recommend a 5 ply wood.
FH: yes intermediate.
BH: use thinner sponge at least.

So unless you like to collect balls, I recommend you to use equipment that matches your level.

 

[Tyce]

Hello, I've been playing TT for around two months at a club and have been using the following setup:

Blade: DHS Hurricane 301
FH: Xiom Vega X Max
BH: Xiom Vega Korea Max

Do you think this setup is too advanced for a beginner, or should I stick with it until I reach an intermediate level?

What are your own experiences? You're two months in now, which is not a lot to be honest. TT takes years to get to a stable intermediate level for most players. So ask yourself these questions:

Can you reliably keep the ball on the table during an easy practice exercise?
Can you direct the ball left and right, short and long? (accuracy would be enough if you get it left and right of the white line, and before or after the half of the table)
Can you feel and apply the very basics of spin? Push, drive flat, and a light topspin would be plenty at this point.

If you struggle with any of these points and you're not hitting the mark around 75-80% of the time while trying seriously, you *might* have equipment that is not yet suited for you.
Now before you go out and buy stuff to try and fix this, consider playing with someone else's (spare) bat for a few sessions to see if that improves your ability. Then go back and apply what you've learned to your own bat.


Most Vega series rubbers are actually pretty good for beginner purposes. I wouldn't write this setup off that easily

 

[Infernal]

Hello, I've been playing TT for around two months at a club and have been using the following setup:

Blade: DHS Hurricane 301
FH: Xiom Vega X Max
BH: Xiom Vega Korea Max

Do you think this setup is too advanced for a beginner, or should I stick with it until I reach an intermediate level?

Beginner, check.

Carbon blade, check.

Max thickness rubbers, check.

 

[huffs53]

What are your own experiences? You're two months in now, which is not a lot to be honest. TT takes years to get to a stable intermediate level for most players. So ask yourself these questions:

Can you reliably keep the ball on the table during an easy practice exercise?
Can you direct the ball left and right, short and long? (accuracy would be enough if you get it left and right of the white line, and before or after the half of the table)
Can you feel and apply the very basics of spin? Push, drive flat, and a light topspin would be plenty at this point.

If you struggle with any of these points and you're not hitting the mark around 75-80% of the time while trying seriously, you *might* have equipment that is not yet suited for you.
Now before you go out and buy stuff to try and fix this, consider playing with someone else's (spare) bat for a few sessions to see if that improves your ability. Then go back and apply what you've learned to your own bat.


Most Vega series rubbers are actually pretty good for beginner purposes. I wouldn't write this setup off that easily

Thank you for the responses!

I played for a few years in high school, only recreationally (I used to call it ping-pong back then, not table tennis), so I already have some familiarity with the game. Now, however, I’m learning the correct movements and theory at the club.

I would say that I can keep the ball on the table fairly consistently during practice, but I still struggle a bit with direction.

In terms of spin, I can consistently push and drive. Right now, I’m learning how to loop against backspin.

I bought my current setup because I researched and found that it should last until I reach at least an intermediate level. I didn’t want to buy multiple setups, since I don’t have much money.

 

[Tyce]

From what I can tell, you just need to practice. Once you feel like you have the very basics down, focus on playing loose and relaxed, and snapping/tensioning just before you hit the ball. The sooner you learn relaxed movements and engaging the ball with a short pulse of tension, the sooner you will learn to feel what the rubber and sponge does. And playing loose expends less energy which means you can practice longer.
Now, loose doesn't mean uncontrolled, slacking, goofy. It means you only use the necessary muscles and keep the rest free to move fluently.

Anyway, what I'm trying to get at is that I don't think you need to spend on another setup. Use your bat, learn to become one with it. When you can't practice, bounce a ball for a while regularly, on the bat, forehand, backhand, alternate, against the wall, anything you can think of. It will help grow the muscle memory. Trust in your ability.

 

[victormanriquey]

In my opinion and I know this is controversial but I believe in what I'm going to say not only because I have seen it in many other beginners but also on myself:

If you are a beginner, and have never played at a club, you will need to re-learn many things from past wrong technique and habits, so this setup that you have is going to slow you down and hurt your progress.

The blade is too fast for you, and the rubbers are for sure too fast for you, specially since they are max. Look at what @FH_Project and @Infernal said and listen to them too.

For more information and because I feel intensely about this topic, please read this, it's my own story with the fantastic (not so fantastic for beginners) viscaria, and the 301 has similarities with that blade: https://www.tabletennisequipmenthelp.com/blog/how-the-butterfly-viscaria-ruined-my-technique

I'd buy a stiga all round + some beginner rubbers (xiom vega intro, 729 fx, nittaku factive, and many more, see this post too: https://www.tabletennisequipmenthelp.com/blog/choosing-your-first-custom-table-tennis-rubber) and be happy for 1 year focusing on technique. Keep the current blade stored safely so you can come back to it later

 

[Lando]

Tibhar Stratus Powerwood. Such a great blade, I went back to it before switching to jpen.
No idea about the rubbers

 

[Hurricane AON]

Yes, it very good setup for beginner like mine when I'm beginner. It can provide good control, good spin generation. But you will fine it too slow if your skill upgraded

 

[Lazer]

Hello, I've been playing TT for around two months at a club and have been using the following setup:

Blade: DHS Hurricane 301
FH: Xiom Vega X Max
BH: Xiom Vega Korea Max

Do you think this setup is too advanced for a beginner, or should I stick with it until I reach an intermediate level?

Do yourself a favor and get an allwood blade and equip it with some slow and decent rubbers.
I.e:
Blade: Yasaka Sweden extra.
Rubbers: 729 snipe focus or Samwei taiji 2022. Those are two light rubbers. Chose Yasaka Mark V for something a bit more expensive with higher quality.

Play with this for a year then try your old one again…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Tyce]

So what we can tell from this thread so far is that opinions are divided. There are also two very different approaches here and both have their pro's and cons.
One school teaches to always start slow and controlled, and build up from there.
Another teaches to go as fast as you can barely control, and grow into it.

Both approaches are valid options. As with most things in life, both approaches have fans that are completely opposed to the other option and unable or unwilling to change their opinion.

Where do you go from here?
- ask the coach at the club, or some experienced people who have seen you play if there is no coach. bottom line: ask someone who you trust to guide you for a long time.
- mention you don't really have the budget for buying another bat
- ask around if you can try out a more beginner friendly setup. Don't be surprised if it feels incredibly slow, try it out for a few sessions if possible so you can get used to it.


As for people giving specific suggestions, that's a clear sign that they are just looking at their own opinion, not your situation.

Tibhar Stratus Powerwood.

TTGearLab values for a DHS 301 aren't wildly different from Tibhar Stratus Powerwood, which is on the faster end of the 5-ply spectrum.
Same goes when you compare it to Tibhar IV-S, which is a blade that has been given to beginners since the 90s, and still is a popular beginner blade.
The 301 series review there puts it at the same levels of a Innerforce Layer ALC.
The controllability of the DHS 301 seems to be wildly underestimated here, in the end it's a 5.8mm inner fiber blade.

Is it a bit of a step for a complete beginner? Sure. But it's no Viscaria or Primorac Carbon either. If @huffs53 has a bit of an affinity for racket sports, there's a fair chance he'll be able to grow into it quickly (coaching and regular training required here).

In an ideal world, with unlimited budget, yes sure get a slower, 5-ply wood blade. Don't just put random rubbers on it either, but go for a slower version of what you already have if you want to return to playing this blade. In this case, Vega Europe or Intro would be a suitable predecessor.
In the end you have to figure out what works in your situation.

 

[andymagata]

One problem for the beginner is that she has no idea where she will end up. The best player I have played against so far in my table tennis experience, Swedish 3rd division, played 5 ply wood and realistically I will never reach his level.

Even the begynner 5 ply wood might be too fast for her liking and the upgrade might be a slower blade. Probably would be a good upgrade for many. We do not talk enough about it as a realistic approach. Even the coach is not all knowing. My coach believes only Stiga makes good blades - at least that is what he says. I showed him my aliexpress blade and he just laughed and asked me to buy a real blade from Stiga. (I did by the way, but the Stiga tore with rubber exchange while the Haitian is in top condition.)

Many of us adult beginners play fast blades for quite some time, but end up upgrading with slower blades.

 

[Tyce]

One problem for the beginner is that she has no idea where she will end up. The best player I have played against so far in my table tennis experience, Swedish 3rd division, played 5 ply wood and realistically I will never reach his level.

Even the begynner 5 ply wood might be too fast for her liking and the upgrade might be a slower blade. Probably would be a good upgrade for many. We do not talk enough about it as a realistic approach. Even the coach is not all knowing. My coach believes only Stiga makes good blades - at least that is what he says. I showed him my aliexpress blade and he just laughed and asked me to buy a real blade from Stiga. (I did by the way, but the Stiga tore with rubber exchange while the Haitian is in top condition.)

Many of us adult beginners play fast blades for quite some time, but end up upgrading with slower blades.

The problem here is of limited resources, but this problem is also a blessing as it is the complete opposite of the EJ problem many of us are facing.
In today's information age, putting your trust in one person's knowledge is almost unheard of. But if this person is going to be your main resource of training and guidance for the next 10-15 years, why not trust his equipment judgement as well? There are so many benefits.

Your coach will never have doubt in your material.
Your coach has a lot of experience with your material and can help you master it.
You will send a message of trust and commitment to your coach - which will help in how the coach sees and helps you even if it is subconsciously.

If there are 100 blades, but only 1 coach, the choice is easy. Coach may not be perfect, but it's what you have. So might as well go all in on that one valuable resource that can teach you until you can get taught no more.

 

[b3N]

When people say about picking a 'slow blade' it's not so much about not being able to control the faster one, as you'll eventually be able to find the table (unless it's super fast). It's more about the blade not doing too much of the work for you, so you can learn the mechanics and learn to generate your own power.
As it sounds like you really want to focus on the technique side, it makes sense to get a slower blade.
I'd just say if you really like the feel of the 301, try to get an ALL/ALL+ with the same top-ply. That can help you develop the feel.
I'd keep the same rubber on backhand and forehand to start with so you don't get confused with learning the fundamentals.

 

[Lazer]

Many of us adult beginners play fast blades for quite some time, but end up upgrading with slower blades.

Exactly, I did play competitions in the 70's and restarted in 2019 with a Primorac carbon (was given to me) and sriver rubbers since I used super sriver back then. It was way too fast for me so I went down to "all" blades and worked my way up. I am now on a down tuned Primorac carbon, thinner and the carbon layer is replaced by a really hard wood ply instead. This one is perfect for me now but I am using H3 on FH...

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Svaig]

Exactly, I did play competitions in the 70's and restarted in 2019 with a Primorac carbon (was given to me) and sriver rubbers since I used super sriver back then. It was way too fast for me so I went down to "all" blades and worked my way up. I am now on a down tuned Primorac carbon, thinner and the carbon layer is replaced by a really hard wood ply instead. This one is perfect for me now but I am using H3 on FH...

Cheers
L-zr

I'm an old fart as well, played competitions in the late 80's and restarted a couple of months ago. In addition to being 53 years old I have some issues with my shoulder, so I decided to go really basic both when it comes to play-style and equipment: focus on control, spin and placement without overly explosive stokes, using a Stiga Allround Classic blade, Xiom Vega Europe 2 mm on FH and Stiga Mantra Control 2 mm on BH. When my FH loops are stable I will consider upgrading to a real speed monster: Rozena

 

[Lazer]

I'm an old fart as well, played competitions in the late 80's and restarted a couple of months ago. In addition to being 53 years old I have some issues with my shoulder, so I decided to go really basic both when it comes to play-style and equipment: focus on control, spin and placement without overly explosive stokes, using a Stiga Allround Classic blade, Xiom Vega Europe 2 mm on FH and Stiga Mantra Control 2 mm on BH. When my FH loops are stable I will consider upgrading to a real speed monster: Rozena

I don't like Vega Europe, its way too soft specially on FH, Mantra I don't know anything about. The thing about softer grippy rubbers is that they are very sensitive to spin. I would select the next one up (at least 45 in hardness) in the vega series. Yes its easier to generate spin with a soft rubber but the sensitivity makes it harder at serve receive.

I think Mark V would be a better choice (its a bit harder) actually (or a Chinese equivalent i.e. 729 focus snipe),

Cheers
L-zr

 

[W3R]

I agree with Tyce - and since you say you can keep the ball consistently on the table during practice and you are learning to loop against backspin, you are probably fine. Yes the racket is faster than your skills probably, but I think if you can keep up now at the beginning then after some months you will grow faster with this racket. That depends of course on how often you train.

You can try as you go other teamates rackets for a few shots, especially the lower speed ones and decide later on to maybe try another rubber, or another blade.

 

[merlin el mago]

All round blade + grippy rubbers.