Went back to slower blade, now totally confused

[Draycott old man]

Fair enough… but the problem is when the fun turns to anxiety…. Particularly if you have an off night or a bad match and you’re looking for a scapegoat.

I really do feel your pain as I had to stop playing matches because of my poor mental health and not being able to cope with all the pressures of match play ! . Now since I've been coaching my girlfriend for the last 3 years I'm not taking my table tennis so seriously,but that doesn't mean I'm not enjoying it, I'm even considering trying to play in the league again as now my girlfriend has started in the league I'm missing that buzz of being challenged. What I'm trying to say is there's enough things to worry about while playing table tennis, without worrying about your equipment as well. Remember try not to be to hard on yourself as it really doesn't help your confidence!!!

 

[Wakkibatty]

Can't add much more to the conversation than what has already been said -- the previous posters have pretty much hit the nail on the head.

Only thing I can really add is the value of variation with your touch. You chose two pretty similar blades with only minor differences between them, and frankly that's the right way to do it.

Regularly using more than one blade can be a great way to add a little more dexterity and nuance to your sense of touch. Their differences in top speed, playing feel and impact response in different situations forces you to be a bit more deft with your strokes. You also need to concentrate more at different times, and this forces you to be more mindful of your technique (eg: the short game is harder to execute with a fast blade, whereas hitting away from the table is more difficult with a slower one).

Naturally you want to stick with one blade for the most part, as it helps with your game over the long term. This whole phenomenon also breaks down quickly if your blades are TOO different. To make it work, you want to use blades that are reasonably similar in playing feel for the most part... otherwise the differences between them are too large, the compensations required are too onerous, and you end up destabilizing your technique, and start going backwards pretty quickly.

 

[NetProphet]

Fair enough… but the problem is when the fun turns to anxiety…. Particularly if you have an off night or a bad match and you’re looking for a scapegoat.

It's never about the equipment, it's always an issue of technique and skill.
Don't put the cart before the horse, if you cannot place and control your shots as well with the same rubbers on Virtuoso then it is your ability to control it that is in question.
If you can (with the YSE) block, return, short game, loop with more accuracy and control than with the Virtuoso then the YSE is the blade to use, end of.
But it's been pointed out that you haven't compared your performance in competition, so...
As regards mid distance I would venture that landing the ball every time is going to be more beneficial than trying to power through. I mean, if I'm playing you and you start to feel the only way past me is power over placement then I'm betting I'll get unforced errors from you as opposed to you putting the ball where you want and forcing the errors from me.
But whatever, it's just my amateur thoughts on how a game might pan out based on your descriptions...
I'll be interested to see how you settle after trying both in a competitive environment, my money is on the YSE. 😉

 

[dnelsen]

Great responses everyone.

The YSE lands more loops on the table, and probably wins more matches for me, simply due to less errors.

The V- has an incredible feel that I love. I really like the weight of the large 159mm head. Definitely better when playing at mid distance. Win or lose, the V- provides the most FUN (capitalized, lest we forget how important this is).

Close to the table and over the table there's not much difference.

And make no mistake, still tons of control with the V-. It's not like I'm playing badly with it. I'm still getting to know it, and steadily progressing with it. It's only been a couple of months.

I prefer the OSP's Elcon handle over the YSE. I’m 6’4” with large hands. The YSE handle has always felt small. I tried a butterfly wrap on the YSE and hated it, as it muffles the feedback way too much. The Elcon is definitely bulkier overall, and therefore better for my large hand, but I do wish it had a flare. I’ve been meaning to ask OSP about doing a “flared Elcon”. In the meantime I have some butterfly wrap just on the bottom inch of the handle to create a slight flare. This works really well actually.

And the craftsmanship of the V- can't be ignored. Definitely a step up from the YSE. The V- is just an absolute jewel of an object, that looks amazing and feels great in the hand. It reminds me of the feeling of a gorgeous pool cue. Does it make me sink more balls? Probably not, but wow does it feel good to play with.

So do I want to win more matches? Or do I want to maximize enjoyment of the game, with a blade that has amazing feel?

I’m not a serious competitive player. I enjoy league night matches but mostly I play for FUN, exercise, and mental health.

Therefore I’ve decided to continue focusing on the V-. I just love this thing, win or lose. And in fairness, I'm still getting to know V-. It's entirely possible that with a bit more time it becomes the clear winner, and this entire post was premature and pointless. We shall see.

Thanks everyone.

 

[dnelsen]

It's never about the equipment, it's always an issue of technique and skill.

Well that just isn't true.

If I want to re-learn kickflips, and I go try and do it with a cruiser board, I'm going to fail.

That's an extreme example, but you get the point. Of course using the right equipment is important and makes a big difference.

Now in this case, since the two blades are quite similar, you have a point. I would continue to progress my game with either blade. No bad choices here.

But as a blanket statement, "it's never about the equipment" is just wrong.

 

[dnelsen]

I really do feel your pain as I had to stop playing matches because of my poor mental health and not being able to cope with all the pressures of match play ! . Now since I've been coaching my girlfriend for the last 3 years I'm not taking my table tennis so seriously,but that doesn't mean I'm not enjoying it, I'm even considering trying to play in the league again as now my girlfriend has started in the league I'm missing that buzz of being challenged. What I'm trying to say is there's enough things to worry about while playing table tennis, without worrying about your equipment as well. Remember try not to be to hard on yourself as it really doesn't help your confidence!!!

Thanks for sharing this. I sometimes need to remind myself that first and foremost I'm playing for fun and positive mental health. If the pressure of match play or obsessing over equipment detracts from this, then I'm losing the plot here.

 

[Zezima]

Easy: play with the slower blade, try to win through placement and consistency.
Eventually you will get tired of long rallys or the fact that you can´t end points that should be over "easily" -> time to move up the stairs. Use this time to work on certain tactics with placements and shot selection.

 

[NetProphet]

Well that just isn't true.

If I want to re-learn kickflips, and I go try and do it with a cruiser board, I'm going to fail.

That's an extreme example, but you get the point. Of course using the right equipment is important and makes a big difference.

Now in this case, since the two blades are quite similar, you have a point. I would continue to progress my game with either blade. No bad choices here.

But as a blanket statement, "it's never about the equipment" is just wrong.

You're absolutely correct in what you say re equipment in general, the case about both these blades is what I meant.
I should have clarified that statement as a direct reference to the two setups in question.
I think both setups are very good for the level here, just that one needs a bit more learning/development to get more from it so in that regard it could be the setup to grow with.

 

[dnelsen]

I think both setups are very good for the level here, just that one needs a bit more learning/development to get more from it so in that regard it could be the setup to grow with.

That's a great way of framing things here, and describes why I'm going to continue sticking with the V-. I get this feeling that if I just stick it out for a while longer it will eventually be the clear winner. We shall see.

 

[dingyibvs]

Great responses everyone.

The YSE lands more loops on the table, and probably wins more matches for me, simply due to less errors.

The V- has an incredible feel that I love. I really like the weight of the large 159mm head. Definitely better when playing at mid distance. Win or lose, the V- provides the most FUN (capitalized, lest we forget how important this is).

Close to the table and over the table there's not much difference.

And make no mistake, still tons of control with the V-. It's not like I'm playing badly with it. I'm still getting to know it, and steadily progressing with it. It's only been a couple of months.

I prefer the OSP's Elcon handle over the YSE. I’m 6’4” with large hands. The YSE handle has always felt small. I tried a butterfly wrap on the YSE and hated it, as it muffles the feedback way too much. The Elcon is definitely bulkier overall, and therefore better for my large hand, but I do wish it had a flare. I’ve been meaning to ask OSP about doing a “flared Elcon”. In the meantime I have some butterfly wrap just on the bottom inch of the handle to create a slight flare. This works really well actually.

And the craftsmanship of the V- can't be ignored. Definitely a step up from the YSE. The V- is just an absolute jewel of an object, that looks amazing and feels great in the hand. It reminds me of the feeling of a gorgeous pool cue. Does it make me sink more balls? Probably not, but wow does it feel good to play with.

So do I want to win more matches? Or do I want to maximize enjoyment of the game, with a blade that has amazing feel?

I’m not a serious competitive player. I enjoy league night matches but mostly I play for FUN, exercise, and mental health.

Therefore I’ve decided to continue focusing on the V-. I just love this thing, win or lose. And in fairness, I'm still getting to know V-. It's entirely possible that with a bit more time it becomes the clear winner, and this entire post was premature and pointless. We shall see.

Thanks everyone.

I have a similar dilemma. For me it's between the balance of the Viscaria and the FH dominance of the W968. I can generate more quality much easier on the BH side with the Viscaria, but whenever I FH loop with the W968 it puts a smile on my face. I want to be winning with both sides, but it's just so intoxicating to land monster FHs with the 968!

 

[ML fan]

That's a great way of framing things here, and describes why I'm going to continue sticking with the V-. I get this feeling that if I just stick it out for a while longer it will eventually be the clear winner. We shall see.

I want to know now how's the virtuoso off-?
I am really curious about it. I love 5 ply woods. I love my waldner allplay, same comp as v- and I want to check V-. Btw, I just started using FZD CNF, what I am missing is the feeling, the vibration from allwood blade. The CNF I feel, just have more spin and power. Enlighten me.