reverting-to-slower-equipment-for-technical-development
LooP asked 5 years ago
I have been playing 2 and a half years, play top division local league but am well in bottom half of averages to give an idea of level. I use a Nittaku Acoustic with Fastarc G1 rubbers. I don’t lack for power at all and make most mistakes on receive and 3rd ball. I am considering after the season is over going back to basics with a Stiga all-round classic and some classic rubbers and working with a coach on my strokes and technique. Is this a good idea?
LooP answered 5 years ago
I have also considered classic (mark V, Sriver etc), modern entry rubbers (Rigan, future M) or slower Chinese rubbers or perhaps just a control rubber like Aurus as an alternative. Not sure which direction to go if slowing down is a good idea. I get tense in matches and the strokes tend to get arm dominant. I need to learn to use the body more in a relaxed fashion. I really think back to basics equipment will help me with this but am I on the right track? I know people normally want to know if they should use a Mizutani ZLC and T05 by now and this is sort of opposite thinking.
Tom Academy Coach answered 5 years ago
Hey Loop,
I can definitely understand your thinking behind this, however I feel from what you’ve told me going back to a slower equipment might be a bit premature. I think working on using the body better and being relaxed in your shots and not tense is the key here as you mentioned above. I certainly wouldn’t change the whole set up, I would consider keeping your current rubbers on a slightly slower blade such ad the stiga all round classic you said about. Changing the whole set up can make things hard and usually changing the blade can have enough of an affect that you want.
The other issie with going to a slower blade and rubbers after using your current set up is that it can feel like a lot of effort as its slower and actually make you more tense by trying to produce the power you are used too with a faster bat.
So my advice would be really work on irregular drills and being solid at the start of the rally, for example don’t try to even win the points, just focus on putting the first 3 balls on the table with spin. Also being relaxed and hitting the ball with a soft brushing contact. I’d say its not a problem if you feel you still want more control to change just the blade for something a bit more controlled but I personally wouldn’t change your whole set up.
It’s good that you are thinking back to basics though thats definitely the right mentality, sometimes things just take longer to develop and being used to your equipment setup is also important to be comfortable and confident. So maybe give the blade swap a go if you feel you need to but other than that keep up the training and things will develop!
LooPGreat answer thanks and is basically the same answer I got from my local club coach also which gives me confidence. I think I will go the slower blade after seeing “The Captain” uses a Stiga Allround classic but stick with the rubbers. They are really good tbf.
No problem Loop, I think that sounds like a good solution to be fair. Yes that’s right the captain felt he needed more control from the blade and I also use an all wood blade as it offers a good feeling and control. Hope you get on well with it and of course anything else let us know!
