When is the right time to switch to tensors or hybrids?

[BaRanchik]

I've been playing table tennis for a year now, and half a year at a club. I'm an attacker on both wings.
I currently use Palio Energy 05 paired with CJ8000s on both sides. I like it, but I can't help wondering what potential better rubbers hold.
I was told and read over and over again that beginners should not get equipment that's too hard to control, as it can lead to creating bad habits.

When would it be right to move to better rubbers? Specifically better at producing spin.
And which rubbers would you recommend? I thought of trying Big Dipper, but have no idea if it's beyond my current skill level.

Edit: based on your suggestions, I ordered BD to try it. Will update this post if it makes me develop bad habits for future readers.

 

[Fnub]

Bro, if you are ok with your racket you shouldn't move to "better" rubbers. But if you are interested in trying smth new order Big Dipper, or Jupiter 2/3. They are not the rubbers that create bad habits. Playing with them you'll have to adjust your technique a little bit. Don't worry

 

[Lazer]

Maybe never... I suggest you get a new blade and test it, it may or may not be for You at all ...

Cheers
L-zr

 

[hclnnkhg]

I've been playing table tennis for a year now, and half a year at a club. I'm an attacker on both wings.
I currently use Palio Energy 05 paired with CJ8000s on both sides. I like it, but I can't help wondering what potential better rubbers hold.
I was told and read over and over again that beginners should not get equipment that's too hard to control, as it can lead to creating bad habits.

When would it be right to move to better rubbers? Specifically better at producing spin.
And which rubbers would you recommend? I thought of trying Big Dipper, but have no idea if it's beyond my current skill level.

If we are being conservative, then you should only upgrade your rubber when you can consistently attack (say, 3+ topspin attack shots in a row) during match play, and you still need more speed/spin from your rubber to actually win points, providing your technique is correct. I am definitely not there yet but I already switch away from CJ8000

 

[mocker88]

I think that if you have started developing technique with this setup, and if you feel that something is missing. You need more speed, spin or control.... Then go for something similar to what you already have, but something that could give a little more of what you miss in the current setup.

If you feel that your current setup is enough and you perhaps after only a year and a half in table tennis still have a lot of development to do, just stay with it for a bit longer.

 

[SFF_lib]

When you can hit BH - FH 100x without error

 

[turbozed]

You asked what rubbers will produce more spin for you but a better question is what rubber will produce more spin given your play level.

Your technique will determine how much spin is produced. Something like Hurricane 3 might have loads more spin potential than your current soft rubber, but maybe you might need be able to access it without changing your technique.

CJ8000 is actually a good rubber for generating spin with basic technique. The sponge is soft so the ball will penetrate and be held by rubber even on low speed shots.

This brings up another issue in whether you want spin to be easy to generate while developing your technique. If you can generate spin with slow arm speed and low power, potentially this may hamper your development of faster arm speed and generating power with your body.

There's a fine balance between choosing something so easy to use where you don't develop more advanced technique, and using something so difficult where you don't have consistent enough positive reinforcement.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

I've been playing table tennis for a year now, and half a year at a club. I'm an attacker on both wings.
I currently use Palio Energy 05 paired with CJ8000s on both sides. I like it, but I can't help wondering what potential better rubbers hold.
I was told and read over and over again that beginners should not get equipment that's too hard to control, as it can lead to creating bad habits.

When would it be right to move to better rubbers? Specifically better at producing spin.
And which rubbers would you recommend? I thought of trying Big Dipper, but have no idea if it's beyond my current skill level.

The time to change is NOW!

Caveat: I am a ESN fanboy. 😜

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

I've been playing table tennis for a year now, and half a year at a club. I'm an attacker on both wings.
I currently use Palio Energy 05 paired with CJ8000s on both sides. I like it, but I can't help wondering what potential better rubbers hold.
I was told and read over and over again that beginners should not get equipment that's too hard to control, as it can lead to creating bad habits.

When would it be right to move to better rubbers? Specifically better at producing spin.
And which rubbers would you recommend? I thought of trying Big Dipper, but have no idea if it's beyond my current skill level.

The user that can generate the spin and controlling it, is way more important than tensors or hybrids.

the hand control is just a tiny fraction of the rally.
If you have good footworks, good movement, good body/hand technique, you can use anything you want and can adapt.
If the equipment is too fast, then you may struggle to adapt or adapt correctly.

No harm to try, as you understand that fast isn't the solution.

There are some tensors that been around for a long time and trustable by many.
ie, The Xiom Vega series, Nittaku Fastarc series, Yasaka Rakza 7 series, etc.

 

[jk1980]

It would be very interesting to see a side by side comparison of different topspin techniques and the best kind of rubber for these.

People with a relatively slow arm swing speed benefit from softer sponges in general and will struggle with hard sponges, since the low speed will not be strong enough to penetrate it, hehe the ball will bounce off faster generating less spin.