renewal-of-equipment
Nomad asked 3 years ago
Hi Tom
About 11 months ago, following your advice, I changed my bat and rubbers to an Innerforce ALC blade and DNA Pro rubbers (DNA Hard on the forehand and DNA Medium on the backhand. I have a strong forehand smash which is a flatter stroke with little topspin so can be difficult for an opponent to return. I can also use my forehand rubber to produce a good degree of topspin to open up a rally. The difficulty I have is, on the occasions I am forced back from the table by a heavy topspin drive, I am unsure of how best to deal with the fast ball which dips after the bounce (e.g. from a tenergy rubber) especially on the backhand side.
I use my backhand rubber (DNA medium) to ‘punch through’ and block which is quite effective in a counter hitting rally. 3 months ago I changed from DNA Medium to DNA Soft which I thought would give me more control and an advantage in 3 ways 1) Slightly more ‘dwell time’ to deal with heavy topspin from the opponent 2) give me more backspin on forehand pushes or ‘jabs’ which restricts the opponents ability to attack 3) Slightly longer dwell time which gives me more topspin to open up a rally from an opponent’s push stroke.
I also tried using the DNA Pro Soft rubber on my forehand which was O.K. but reduced the power on my forehand drive and smash. As you have used DNA hard on both sides I wondered if I should do the same when I replace the old rubber or perhaps look for an alternative to develop a stronger topspin stroke such as Tenergy 05. I like the DNA rubbers and appreciate that technique will play an important part but I would be interested in your views.
Thanks again for your help. Your videos have been excellent and I feel my game has already gone up to the next level.
Alex
Tom Academy Coach answered 3 years ago
Hi Alex,
Yes I’ve used the DNA rubbers a lot and still use the hard version on both sides currently, I really like them. I would say the medium is and hard are both most effective because as you said the soft tends to reduce the power and also the effectiveness of the nice fast punches and blocks.
I like the hard best because it offers the most direct and snappy feeling compared to the other versions and I’m sure you like the feel of the hard on the backhand side of you like to punch and block. I tend to punch a lot on the backhand side which you also mentioned, this can be an effective way to deal with those heavy spin shots that dip down.
Tenergy 05 has quite a different feel I would say its more springy which can help with loop shots and when away from the table but it also means it’s harder to control opponents shots and spin and the control is as high as DNA for example.
It definitely depends on your game style but from what you’ve said to me and as you’ve been using them already I would probably recommend going for the DNA again but perhaps the hard on both sides.
Hope that’s helpful and anything else on this just give me a shout. Tom
NomadHi Tom
Yes, I like the control of the DNA rubber especially on the backhand. Would D.N.A
Medium be bettter for a topspin return on the fotehand against an opponent’s topspin drive or would D.N.A hard be just as good?
Ideally I would like the same rubber on both sides unless there was a distinct advantage in using another rubber on the forehand which had similar control but could generate more spin on the drive or opening up syroke from a pushing rally.
I will try to make a short video of my style of play and send it to you as soon as possible for your comments
Thanks again
Alex
