Ask The Experts: Xin Zhou, No. 120

Butterfly Table Tennis Question and Answer

Question: I want to make up a custom bat using anti spin rubbers (possibly Donic Alligator red and Nikattu Best Anti, black. In my experience an all-round blade has proved to be too slow and I find it difficult to get enough height on the ball to consistently keep it in play and I was wondering whether or not I would be better using an offensive blade to generate enough pace and elevation to keep the ball in play?

Answer:

Hi Phil,

Since you feel regular all round blade too slow, I will recommend you to try Butterfly’s Andrzej Grubba which is an ALL+ blade. It is used by anti-rubber guru Dan Seemiller. You probably can’t go wrong with it.

As for the rubber, normally, players use anti on one side to add the surprising element to their games. Therefore, I suggest you use smooth on one side and anti on the other. Of course, if you’ve been using anti on both sides to build up your game, by all means, you may continue to do so.

For smooth rubber, to add contrast, I recommend the Tenergy line. For anti-rubber, I’m sure Alligator and Best Anti are good rubbers. However, you may try Butterfly’s Super Anti as well.

Play happily.

Xin Zhou
National Coach of USA
Coach at ICC Table Tennis in Milpitas, CA