Weight of rubbers
ronar asked 4 years ago
Hello Dan and Tom!
Got back into Table Tennis after many years and started with the Xiom Ice Cream AZX which is a hard blade. I used Rozena rubbers on both sides. I got used to smashing and looping well with it, but had some trouble with blocking and my practice partner has pretty heavy top spin strokes. So, I went to a softer Long 3 blade and love it. I added Rakza 7(Fh) and Rakza 7 soft(bh) rubbers at 2.0 instead of max. Blocking real well with that set up, but find I hit a few more into the net when smashing or simply going for placement. I’m experimenting again and put Rozena back on Forehand side instead of the Rakza 7 soft. I will try this for a bit to give it a chance but may try something like the Dignics 09C or Rakza Z. Two questions:
1. Do you think I should have stayed with Max thickness when going to Rakza 7 as maybe made too drastic of a change?
2. Since the rubbers I’ve been using are fairly light, do you think going to heavier rubbers like the 09C or Rakza Z would be trickier to adjust to because of obvious weight differences? Maybe I’m over thinking the weight aspect? Thanks!
Ron
Moncton, New Brunswick
Canada
Tom Academy Coach answered 4 years ago
Hey Ron, firstly I think the weight aspect is quite minimal and although it might feel slightly different at first you would very quickly adjust and get used to the weight.
I feel the most important aspect of equipment set up is having a blade you are confident with and then adjust the rubbers to something you are also comfortable with. I wouldn’t have thought the change from max to 2.0 would have been that dramatic to be honest.
I think you would be able to adjust and get on very well with something like the Rakza Z as it’s fairly similar to what you have currently. The same goes for Dignics 09c, although the adjustment time may be slightly longer with this as it has more kick off the top sheet and the bat angle needs to be adjusted and become natural.
I hope that’s helpful and anything else feel free to get back to me on here.
Cheers, Tom
ronarHi again Tom!
Thanks for your feedback! I’m sure the blade was the biggest part of my change, but in some ways I felt I should have kept the same rubbers to compare the blades by themselves. I am glad I put that Rozena max back on my forehand now, as it feels like a have more pop and feels easier to hit hard compared to Rakza 7 soft 2.0 I was using. As far as hitting some into the net, it was probably me with the wrong angle and looking for an excuse? Lol Cheers!
Ron
Hey, no problem at all. Yes it can be tricky when you change both and then you’re not too sure which one it is you are struggling with. Glad to hear you are getting on better with the set up now and I’m sure with time and getting used to it even more those ones into the net will go too. Cheers
