Unoriginal request for help - improving fast and need to upgrade!

[Nash77]

Hi everyone, new poster here glad I've found this cool site to help with my table tennis journey.

Shortly about me - started training around a year ago, 2/3 times a week. I've been improving fast, especially in the last 2 months since getting my new racket - Nittaku acoustic SG.
I'm no Felix Lebron but lately I'm beating players that have been training for a lot more years then me, I've got a good feel for the game I've been told.
So despite still working on improving my technique, I think I need a better setup then my current one.

I've currently playing with a somewhat strange combination of rubbers :

FH : Rakza 7 SOFT (2.0)
BH : Rakza 7 (2.0)

When ordering my rubbers I initially intended to play with the Soft on BH,
but my BH felt too weak with the soft version so I switched and started playing BH with the regular Rakza 7.
It feels decent enough for now, not very spinney but ok.

The problem is that now I'm stuck with Rakza SOFT on my FH - and it sometimes feels lacking in speed/power,
I can generate decent spin with FH - but obviously it's not ideal rubber for FH.

I'm thinking about staying with Rakza 7 on my BH, and Changing my FH from Rakza soft 2.0 to Nittaku Fastarc G-1.

Would you say it's a smart suitable upgrade? anything better to consider?
And my question - should I get the Max thickness or the 2.0 thickness of the G-1 for FH?
What are the pros and cons for Max vs 2.0?
Important note - I want to focus on improving my technique and my long term improvement,
not trying to maximizing instant wins.

Would appreciate any help/tips, I don't have experience with other equipment.

 

[Tyce]

Have you played with other people's rackets in the club? To get a good feeling of what you would like to play?

Your update makes sense. I think it doesn't really matter if you pick 2.0 or Max, by the time your sheet is worn down from training this often you'll know if it's the right choice.

Personally I'd pick 2.0, but I come from a time where Max was a ridiculous choice (38mm balls) for anyone who isn't very advanced.

Congratulations on your very sensible first setup! Acoustic will be great for a long time.

 

[Crillo]

Rakza 7 on both sides 2.0. Stay with the Acousic. Stay with Rakza 7 on both sides for a year and you will develop fast! You don´t need faster equipment you need control.

 

[K.K]

with g-1 you can just go with 2.0
i played it a lot and couldn’t feel any difference to the max one (that is also not available anymore).
perfect setup for a loooooong time or for ever.
have fun!

 

[Ultravisitor]

Both viable options. G1 is a little firmer than Rakza 7. You can can develop greatly with both of them.

 

[Nash77]

Have you played with other people's rackets in the club? To get a good feeling of what you would like to play?

Your update makes sense. I think it doesn't really matter if you pick 2.0 or Max, by the time your sheet is worn down from training this often you'll know if it's the right choice.

Personally I'd pick 2.0, but I come from a time where Max was a ridiculous choice (38mm balls) for anyone who isn't very advanced.

Congratulations on your very sensible first setup! Acoustic will be great for a long time.

Thx for your recommendation.

I did try my mate's racket a few weeks ago - he played with Gewo Nexxus EL Pro 53 SuperSelect - I likde the Green colour - but at the time it felt almost too fast for me? I'm not sure it suited my desire to improve my technique, despite liking some of the shots I managed to pull off. Maybe I should go back to it in the future? not sure when.

https://revspin.net/rubber/gewo-nexxus-el-pro-53-superselect.html​

I do really like the Acoustic SG, I feel like it was a great choice for me as a relative beginner with some feel and a knack for the game.

I do Wish I bought the G Revision Acoustic, I've been told it has a better handle then mines but I wasn't aware of it when I bought the SG version.

 

[Nash77]

Both viable options. G1 is a little firmer than Rakza 7. You can can develop greatly with both of them.

thank you, can you maybe explain what are the implications of it being firmer?
what's the difference in actual game and shots?

 

[Nash77]

tha

Rakza 7 on both sides 2.0. Stay with the Acousic. Stay with Rakza 7 on both sides for a year and you will develop fast! You don´t need faster equipment you need control.

thanks, do you think Rakza 7 has more control then G-1?

Also - isn't it better to have a faster/stronger rubber for forehand compared to backhand? (I generate a lot more spin on Forehand and also have better feel in it).

 

[Crillo]

tha

thanks, do you think Rakza 7 has more control then G-1?

Also - isn't it better to have a faster/stronger rubber for forehand compared to backhand? (I generate a lot more spin on Forehand and also have better feel in it).

I think G1 is a great rubber but the top sheet feels harder then Rakza 7. Rakza 7 is easier to use if you ask me. Its better to be consistent and build confidence with an easy to use rubber. I mean you can probably do some great loops with for example Tenergy 05 but what about serve recives? G1 is not a bad option but Rakza 7 better if you ask me. I have played with both. Good luck and train a lot!

 

[Ultravisitor]

thank you, can you maybe explain what are the implications of it being firmer?
what's the difference in actual game and shots?

Tbh the difference is not huge. The G1 tobsheet is a little harder and G1 is a little less bouncy than rakza 7. Top end speed and spin is a little higher on G1. Both are long lasting rubbers.
Comes down to preference. I like G1 better, for the little bit better control on low power shots. But we are talking nuances.
If I where you I'd pick G1 because you already know Rakza 7. But that's just me beeing always curiuos.

 

[impluse101]

maybe can help - same blade rakza7 max FH then rakza7 1.8 BH... then eventually FH G1 and BH R7 2.0

 

[Sims]

Hi everyone, new poster here glad I've found this cool site to help with my table tennis journey.

Shortly about me - started training around a year ago, 2/3 times a week. I've been improving fast, especially in the last 2 months since getting my new racket - Nittaku acoustic SG.
I'm no Felix Lebron but lately I'm beating players that have been training for a lot more years then me, I've got a good feel for the game I've been told.
So despite still working on improving my technique, I think I need a better setup then my current one.

I've currently playing with a somewhat strange combination of rubbers :

FH : Rakza 7 SOFT (2.0)
BH : Rakza 7 (2.0)

When ordering my rubbers I initially intended to play with the Soft on BH,
but my BH felt too weak with the soft version so I switched and started playing BH with the regular Rakza 7.
It feels decent enough for now, not very spinney but ok.

The problem is that now I'm stuck with Rakza SOFT on my FH - and it sometimes feels lacking in speed/power,
I can generate decent spin with FH - but obviously it's not ideal rubber for FH.

I'm thinking about staying with Rakza 7 on my BH, and Changing my FH from Rakza soft 2.0 to Nittaku Fastarc G-1.

Would you say it's a smart suitable upgrade? anything better to consider?
And my question - should I get the Max thickness or the 2.0 thickness of the G-1 for FH?
What are the pros and cons for Max vs 2.0?
Important note - I want to focus on improving my technique and my long term improvement,
not trying to maximizing instant wins.

Would appreciate any help/tips, I don't have experience with other equipment.

Hey
What did you decide eventually?

I would think staying with your R7 and R7soft until they are worn out is the best move tbh.
You probably have lots of speed to extract from both rubbers just by working on your technique. Changing equipment is likely to hinder your development before helping it. Hitting properly through the ball on FH with a R7 soft should also be enough to win points at your level if you are only playing a year.

Reaching this conclusion of; I'm improving now I want to improve more and faster is completely normal.
I would pay money for coaching before looking to equipment as the answer. A good coach will open your eyes to things you haven't even considered yet that will improve your game much faster than any FH rubber.
That's my 2c anyway.
Cheers

 

[Nash77]

Hey
What did you decide eventually?

I would think staying with your R7 and R7soft until they are worn out is the best move tbh.
You probably have lots of speed to extract from both rubbers just by working on your technique. Changing equipment is likely to hinder your development before helping it. Hitting properly through the ball on FH with a R7 soft should also be enough to win points at your level if you are only playing a year.

Reaching this conclusion of; I'm improving now I want to improve more and faster is completely normal.
I would pay money for coaching before looking to equipment as the answer. A good coach will open your eyes to things you haven't even considered yet that will improve your game much faster than any FH rubber.
That's my 2c anyway.
Cheers

thx for the advice.

I ended up buying the G-1, but didn't install on it my racket yet.

I'm winning plenty of points with my current FH rubber (Rakza 7 soft) - mainly with spin and placement.

I do wonder if getting used to my Rakza 7 soft FH might create some bad habits?

because it's considered a slow rubber. maybe it's wiser to make the switch to G-1 now since there's no doubt I'll need to switch my FH rubber at some point in order to improve, so why delay the inevitable?

 

[Sims]

thx for the advice.

I ended up buying the G-1, but didn't install on it my racket yet.

I'm winning plenty of points with my current FH rubber (Rakza 7 soft) - mainly with spin and placement.

I do wonder if getting used to my Rakza 7 soft FH might create some bad habits?

My personal experience has been it's not the rubber that leads to bad habits, it's practicing without an emphasis on proper technique that does this.

Most players when starting out just do whatever feels right to get the ball over the net and I've seen many strange swings from beginners, especially for example, in their attempt to produce topspin.

And it's true that they do often adapt their swing to the rubber they are using.

But if you really practice the correct way of hitting the ball then R7 or R7soft will be absolutely fine for this learning phase. I personally would use the 7soft on BH and R7 on FH as I set out on this technique focused training.

because it's considered a slow rubber. maybe it's wiser to make the switch to G-1 now since there's no doubt I'll need to switch my FH rubber at some point in order to improve, so why delay the inevitable?

You don't have to switch to G1 to improve.
There is a mistaken belief that beginners need more than R7 to improve and it's absolutely not the case. I know players better than me who still use R7.
Maybe they'd be more dangerous with MXP or T05 but they'd almost certainly lose some of the excellent control and placement they have so...🤷‍♂️
The main point is they have good technique and footwork and it will pay huge dividends if you correct all of this now rather than trying in 3 years when you have stagnated.
I would only put the G1 on when you've worn out one of your current rubbers.
Do you have access to a coach?

 

[Nash77]

My personal experience has been it's not the rubber that leads to bad habits, it's practicing without an emphasis on proper technique that does this.

Most players when starting out just do whatever feels right to get the ball over the net and I've seen many strange swings from beginners, especially for example, in their attempt to produce topspin.

And it's true that they do often adapt their swing to the rubber they are using.

But if you really practice the correct way of hitting the ball then R7 or R7soft will be absolutely fine for this learning phase. I personally would use the 7soft on BH and R7 on FH as I set out on this technique focused training.

You don't have to switch to G1 to improve.
There is a mistaken belief that beginners need more than R7 to improve and it's absolutely not the case. I know players better than me who still use R7.
Maybe they'd be more dangerous with MXP or T05 but they'd almost certainly lose some of the excellent control and placement they have so...🤷‍♂️
The main point is they have good technique and footwork and it will pay huge dividends if you correct all of this now rather than trying in 3 years when you have stagnated.
I would only put the G1 on when you've worn out one of your current rubbers.
Do you have access to a coach?

I have acess to a coach, and he said I can change to G1 If I want, I guess he thinks i'm ready. He's not that involved with the equipment part.

And it's true that they do often adapt their swing to the rubber they are using.

What you say here is what's bothering me.

It's true i'm still perfecting my technique, but it's already at a decent level. I'm not a beginner in term of level of play.

So my fear is I might develop bad habits if I stick with Rakza 7 soft for too long.
And from what I understand, G1 isn't this huge crazy leap - it should be better and faster with more spin then Rakza 7 soft but still it's supposed to be a rubber I should be able to handle.

Maybe it's better to adjust to a new good rubber now instead of later, that's my theory. Since I know 100% i won't be playing with Rakza 7 soft for the long run.

 

[Sims]

I have acess to a coach, and he said I can change to G1 If I want, I guess he thinks i'm ready. He's not that involved with the equipment part.


What you say here is what's bothering me.

It's true i'm still perfecting my technique, but it's already at a decent level. I'm not a beginner in term of level of play.

So my fear is I might develop bad habits if I stick with Rakza 7 soft for too long.
And from what I understand, G1 isn't this huge crazy leap - it should be better and faster with more spin then Rakza 7 soft but still it's supposed to be a rubber I should be able to handle.

Maybe it's better to adjust to a new good rubber now instead of later, that's my theory. Since I know 100% i won't be playing with Rakza 7 soft for the long run.

If you have a coach then you'll be fine.
You're already on a better track than (I reckon) 95% of ppl at your stage/level.
G1 is a very good rubber, legendary even, with great durability!
Enjoy it 👊

 

[WingTT]

And in my opinion, using a rubber that is too soft like the R7 Soft does in fact create bad habits in developing players because it bottoms out on harder hits and becomes non linear and unpredictable, the player becomes "gun shy" and is afraid to hit hard, not knowing whether the ball will fly off or go into the net.

Soft rubbers in the age of plastic balls are like training wheels on a bicycle. If you have the talent to balance on a bicycle and have the strength to get the bicycle to a good self balancing speed, starting with and keeping a training wheel on is a waste of time it will only hold you back (and give you bad habits like being afraid to lean in a corner).

 

[Nash77]

Just thought I'd update for the benefit future readers in a similar spot as i was.

So I made switch from Rakza 7 soft in my FH to G1 2.0. played it for about 6 hours already.

Honestly the difference is noticeable but not crazy at all. I have zero problem controlling
with the new G1 rubber. .Jut feels a bit faster and spinner, but easy to play with.

after around 6 hours of playing i feel like I've completely adjusted and feel very comfortable with the new rubber already - I thought it would take a longer time to get used to it.

My conclusion is that if you're producing high quality shots with the Rakza 7 soft, even if you're a relative beginner - there's no downside to upgrading to G1. You don't lose control but you gain more power. Just my 2 cents.