Answer: Hi Teddy

I am always interested in trying new equipment to see if it will better suit my game-sometimes it works and others, well I think you understand. I like Tenergy 05, many of my students play with it but all close to mid distance and play offensively. Although I am all around offensive player, I also play a chopping defensive style using completely different racket. Like you, I have pip’s on my backhand and Tackifire Special Soft on my forehand to both chop and attack. Although I tried variety of rubbers on my forehand, I settled on Tackifire because I am “comfortable” with it.

If you believe you have lot more room to progress and the time to experiment, it won’t hurt to try and find out if it can better find your comfort zone.

Masaaki Tajima

Answer: Hi Rahul,

Thanks for your question and interest with the Butterfly equipment.

The blade that I recommend for you is the Timo Boll Spirit. This is a great blade that is very popular among many world class offensive players. The blade offers the perfect amount of speed, control and the hardness feel that you're looking for. Paired with the rubbers that you picked out, this will be a great weapon for your game.

All the best,
Stefan Feth
www.tt-champions.com

Answer: Hello Roberto,

For close to the table defense with maximum control, I would recommend our Feint OX rubber. If you are looking to attack more than defend then try Feint long II with a thin sponge. Your current blade and forehand rubber are excellent choices for the style of play you wish to play.

Best wishes,
Richard McAfee, USATT National Coach and Author of “Table Tennis, Steps to Success”

Answer: Hi David,

Thanks for your question and interest with the Butterfly equipment.

From what I've heard, the rubbers that I recommend is the Bryce FX for both your forehand and backhand. The Bryce FX will help you generate more spin and control as the sponge is softer than the regular Bryce. I would also switch from the Schlager Carbon to the Timo Boll ZLF blade. Many top players across the country play with the ZLF as it provides with the right amount of speed, power and control. It is a softer blade than the Schlager Carbon so it will give you much more feel for the ball while maintaining the speed. Paired with the Bryce FX, it should be a much improved combination for your game.

All the best,
Stefan Feth
www.tt-champions.com

Answer: Hi Woody,

I first suggest changing the angle of contact and see if you get the control and speed you want before switching back. Another key aspect of controlling any inverted rubbers is how you grip and amount of dwell time on the rubber to produce the effect you want. Harder sponge tends to be “quicker” due to less dwell time thus less control and, softer sponge with more dwell time can be “faster” with tension or spring sponge technology built in without losing control. If changing the contact angle doesn't help, consider Roundell or Bryce Speed FX. These are good for mid distance players.

I don't think you should be thinking in terms of whether it will give you an advantage. Instead, choose the equipment based on the style you enjoy and effect/shots you want to create and getting an advantage will take care of it self.

Masaaki Tajima

Answer: Hi Tada,

It depends on your style of play; do you use pip's or inverted? Do you use the back side of your penhold or only the front? Do you play close to the table or somewhat away from the table?

Whether you are a pip's or inverted player, I suggest using medium speed blade with control rubber like Chinese Real or a little faster Yoshida Kaii blade, Tackifire line of rubbers for spin and hit, Bryce Speed or Roundell for spinning and looping. Pip's out players play exclusively close to the table and more experienced players also uses the backhand side to both hit and spin, and if you use inverted rubber and hit, spin and loop, these combination provide good speed, power and control.

Regarding your weak backhand; it is more a technical and style issue than equipment. Penhold players were traditionally weaker on the backhand because of the nature of their grip and style so anticipation and footwork was primary so to use their forehand as much as possible. But in recent years, more players are using the back side as an offensive weapon.

If you are new to competitive play, I strongly advise to get coaching so you get off on the right track and also study if using the backside works for you.

Masaaki Tajima

Answer: The paddle that I suggest for you is the Stefan Feth blade paired with Bryce (2.1mm) on the forehand and Sriver FX (2.1mm) on your backhand. Bryce will provide your forehand with the continued power and spin that it has already developed. The softer sponge on the Sriver FX will provide you with more control while helping you to develop spin easier as the sponge will soak the ball more in order to generate loops. Combined with the all around Stefan Feth blade, this should give you a well balanced paddle.

Thanks,
Stefan Feth

Answer: Marinosv,
I have also been using Bryce Speed FX for the last year but with Butterfly Viscaria. I have been using Viscaria for many years and been thinking about changing also. I think Amultart is a good choice but if you get a chance, try the Bryce with Timo Boll Spirit, Photino and Schlager Carbon. Schlager is faster of the three but the rubber is control oriented so you may like the additional speed. Timo Boll and Photino have better feel for the ball.

Let me know what you tried and what you think.

Masaaki Tajima

Answer: The blade that I would suggest for your style is the Timo Boll ZLF blade with Tenergy 05 on the forehand and Tenergy 64 on the backhand. This should be a very good combination of a paddle as you will get both the spin and the speed with Tenergy. Tenergy 64 is a little softer than the 05 so it is a little easier to control on your backhand and makes looping easier as well. The Tenergy 05 will be a bit faster and will provide you with slightly more spin than the 64 which should suit your forehand well. The Tenergy 05 will also help you generate more spin on your forehand serves. The ZLF blade is a great blade that will suit your aggressive style providing control along with the speed and power that you're looking for.

Thanks,
Stefan Feth

Answer: Hi Zac,

I think Bryce Speed is fine for your forehand but be sure that it is 2.0mm and not Max; 2.0 is better for both spin and hitting, Max primarily for spinning. I would recommend Tackifire line for your backhand if you want more spin because the topsheet have more adhesive qualities and more control. Roundell is more suited for spinners who play at mid distance or further back; you don't want to be away from the table when you smash.

Masaaki Tajima

Answer: If your playing style revolves around a spin game such as pushes & loops, then I would recommend Bryce FX on the forehand and Bryce on your backhand. Comparing Bryce to Sriver, it is a bit spinnier rubber and may fit your game better. The blade that I recommend with this combination is the Maze Passion. This should be a little softer wood than the Schlager Precision so it is easier to control and will be easier to loop with.

Thanks
Stefan Feth

Answer: Hi Martin,

Anytime you start trying different rubbers, it is a very personal matter of FEEL and how you are playing that day, do you have a good warm-up partner or not, etc. I only mention this to remind you to stick with something longer rather than looking for a miracle product too often.

As for rubbers to consider I would suggest trying Catapult first and if this is still too slow to you then Sriver G2 FX and finally Sriver G3 FX last.

My blade suggestions would be the Viscaria from personal experience and then the Keyshot light and BalsaCarboX5.

Martin, personally I would try rubbers with my old blade first until I found something I decided to stick with for several months before I would start searching for blades also. It is very difficult to know the differences you are feeling when you are switching rubbers AND blades.

Enjoy the search, Mark Nordby

Answer: Hi Ted
The VSG line is discontinued so a blade to get more control, I suggest Viscaria, Timo Boll Sprit or Michael Maze. These are carbon blades but they are not that fast, good feel, especially when you combine it with control type speed glue effect rubbers made for looping. Most of my high level and developing students play with these combinations, including myself (Viscaria with Bryce Speed FX).

If you prefer non carbon blades, Peter Korbel, Kiso Hinoki or Kong Linghui. If you want even more control and slower, Primorac and Grubba line is my favorites.

Masaaki Tajima

Answer: Hello Jake,

There are basically 4 different rubber choices for your backhand.

(1) Sriver and all other smooth rubbers. This would be the best option if you have aspirations to improve a lot and play a topspin style from both your backhand and forehand side. You will need to find a coach to help you with your stroke and show you how to handle the different spins that will come at you.
(2) Anti-spin rubbers : These are the least affected by the opponents spin because of their glass-like lack of grip. You will easily be able to keep the ball in play but will have to become very adept at attacking with your forehand as your bh attack will be fairly minimal
(3) Short-pip rubbers : These are also less affected by incoming spin but can not generate great spin on their own and are best for smashing
(4) Long-pips rubbers : These are great for confusing your opponents because of the way they are designed to mostly reverse the spins your opponent will throw at you. They are very weak for making spin on your own but are minimally affected by spin. These are mostly for defensive players or players who control the ball with one side and attack with the other.

If all this information leads you to more questions, just let us know.

Best of luck, Mark Nordby