Should I give up using tensor on backhand?

[TensorBackhand]

When I started playing TT again 2 years ago I had the impression that top players use sticky forehand and tensor backhand as the ideal setup. In the past, many top Chinese players used this setup. Even Emratich often teaches that players should use tensor rubber on BH to make up for the lack of swing power.

But through various match play, I'm coming to find that tacky Chinese rubber actually plays better on bh. There is a huge enhancement of push quality, opening loop grip, and return with the tacky bh rubber. The overall control, execution, and dwell time feels better. There is a small decrease in the quality of blocks, and drive shots are slightly slower. But these feel like only minor price to pay for the enhanced areas.

Am I crazy? Anybody else find success switching from tensor to tacky on the backhand?

 

[CallMeZaddy]

Play with what feels most comfortable for you; there’s no right set up. But you should probably change your username 😂

 

[JJ Ng]

When I started playing TT again 2 years ago I had the impression that top players use sticky forehand and tensor backhand as the ideal setup. In the past, many top Chinese players used this setup. Even Emratich often teaches that players should use tensor rubber on BH to make up for the lack of swing power.

But through various match play, I'm coming to find that tacky Chinese rubber actually plays better on bh. There is a huge enhancement of push quality, opening loop grip, and return with the tacky bh rubber. The overall control, execution, and dwell time feels better. There is a small decrease in the quality of blocks, and drive shots are slightly slower. But these feel like only minor price to pay for the enhanced areas.

Am I crazy? Anybody else find success switching from tensor to tacky on the backhand?

Agree. You should use what is most comfortable for you. Your body and your play results speak louder than any feedback you get from the forum.

Ma Long is known to use Hurricane on the backhand as well. Someone did a time line of his equipment over the years. It looked like he used to use Butterfly on the backhand but change to Hurricane 3 37 degree on the backhand many years ago.

 

[Scarfed Garchomp]

But these feel like only minor price to pay for the enhanced areas

Sounds like you've basically made up your mind already. During the cell ball era I had the most success using vanilla 729 on both sides, and with all the new development for these performance tacky rubbers, they are more bh-friendly than ever.

But you should probably change your username 😂

This is tacky Tensor erasure 😂

 

[ben1229]

Don't give up on that, try more and you will find one!

 

[Gozo Aruna]

When I started playing TT again 2 years ago I had the impression that top players use sticky forehand and tensor backhand as the ideal setup. In the past, many top Chinese players used this setup. Even Emratich often teaches that players should use tensor rubber on BH to make up for the lack of swing power.

But through various match play, I'm coming to find that tacky Chinese rubber actually plays better on bh. There is a huge enhancement of push quality, opening loop grip, and return with the tacky bh rubber. The overall control, execution, and dwell time feels better. There is a small decrease in the quality of blocks, and drive shots are slightly slower. But these feel like only minor price to pay for the enhanced areas.

Am I crazy? Anybody else find success switching from tensor to tacky on the backhand?

Bye bye beautiful backhand.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Bye bye beautiful backhand.

Nice, he uses Evolution MXP on bh right?

 

[Migzkulit]

Nice, he uses Evolution MXP on bh right?

Doesn't he use K3 both sides?

 

[TackyForehand]

You're not crazy, I have the same thoughts. Using a tacky backhand gives you better consistency at the cost of speed. But because recent sticky rubbers have speed comparable to tensors, you actually don't lose much. Top players now use tacky rubbers on both sides.

 

[Gozo Aruna]

Nice, he uses Evolution MXP on bh right?

Previously in 2021 yes, he uses Timo Boll ALC with MXP but his latest is his own Tibhar's blade with Tibhar's K3 on both side. So, Migzkulit is correct.

Source: https://pingsunday.com/darko-jorgic-equipment-and-playing-style/#Darko_Jorgic_equipment

 

[Migzkulit]

Now if only there were 48 degree rubbers that were even slightly tacky. Not even to the point where the ball stays on the rubber for 1 second.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Now if only there were 48 degree rubbers that were even slightly tacky. Not even to the point where the ball stays on the rubber for 1 second.

There is C48, Bluegrip S1, Hybrid MK,

Not to mention DHS 37, 38 rubbers

 

[Migzkulit]

There is C48, Bluegrip S1, Hybrid MK,

Not to mention DHS 37, 38 rubbers

S1 is discontinued and MK isn't tacky at all. C48 sounds good tho.

 

[mocker88]

Yinhe Big Dipper 38deg gives me a softer, more controllable touch than the more rigid DHS Hurricane-like rubbers, but you've tried that one already I guess?

 

[BaRanchik]

Yinhe Big Dipper 38deg gives me a softer, more controllable touch than the more rigid DHS Hurricane-like rubbers, but you've tried that one already I guess?

How do you like it for looping backspin with the BH?

 

[mocker88]

How do you like it for looping backspin with the BH?

It's quite ok, but it's all in the wrist anyway

 

[JJ Ng]

It's quite ok, but it's all in the wrist anyway

I got Big Dipper 41 degree from BEO store on Aliexpress. Do you recommend me giving it another shot but 38 degree only?

I don't know how to describe. It is not a very catapulty rubber (I don't expect it to be like ESN rubber) but not as tacky as Hurricane so I don't want to use it on my forehand. I might consider using it on my backhand.

I am curious about your thoughts.

 

[ander999]

Try the Gewo Nexxus EL 48 superselect. Love it!

 

[kingkimchi]

When I started playing TT again 2 years ago I had the impression that top players use sticky forehand and tensor backhand as the ideal setup. In the past, many top Chinese players used this setup. Even Emratich often teaches that players should use tensor rubber on BH to make up for the lack of swing power.

But through various match play, I'm coming to find that tacky Chinese rubber actually plays better on bh. There is a huge enhancement of push quality, opening loop grip, and return with the tacky bh rubber. The overall control, execution, and dwell time feels better. There is a small decrease in the quality of blocks, and drive shots are slightly slower. But these feel like only minor price to pay for the enhanced areas.

Am I crazy? Anybody else find success switching from tensor to tacky on the backhand?

I had similar thoughts as well. I currently use Dignics 05 on my BH (grippy tensor, low arc) and D09C on my FH (slightly tacky, very grippy hybrid, hard sponge but feels relatively soft). For fun, I tried using D09C on BH instead for a few minutes, and there was a good differnece between the two. Ofcourse, 09C had a much higher arc, but I found it to be spinnier than the D05 for some reason. I haven't tried the short touch game as you mentioned yet... looking forward to it in today's session.

 

[mocker88]

I got Big Dipper 41 degree from BEO store on Aliexpress. Do you recommend me giving it another shot but 38 degree only?

I don't know how to describe. It is not a very catapulty rubber (I don't expect it to be like ESN rubber) but not as tacky as Hurricane so I don't want to use it on my forehand. I might consider using it on my backhand.

I am curious about your thoughts.

I think it's only available in 38/39/40deg. Is it 40deg perhaps? Anyway. Big Dipper has quite a difference between their sponge hardness and the 38deg works good on both forehand and backhand for me, but is a bit soft when hitting really hard loops. The 39deg is a much more offensive rubber and it's much harder to use on backhand, but is really nice on forehand. I've tried the 40deg some years ago, but I never got as much spin out of it compared to the softer ones. Perhaps it's the harder sponge that doesn't combine so good with my playing style and the more elastic top sheet.

I would say that Big Dipper 38deg is an easier to use rubber for your backhand than for example H3 NEO 37deg, mainly (I think) because of the more elastic top sheet.