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AJ Carney

Ask The Experts: AJ Carney, No. 402

Butterfly Table Tennis Question and Answer

Question:

Hi Butterfly,

I am beginner-intermediate level table tennis player and would like to grow in this sport. I am writing to you to give me suggestion to grow fast on this sport. Currently i live in clifton park new york where we don’t have any professional table tennis club. As such i don’t have any mentor to help me improve my skills. In this circumstances – Can Butterfly help me/guide me to engage with very good coach nearby my area so that i can take lesson? – I am looking for a define coaching plan so that i can prepare myself, improve my weak point and able to participate big tournaments – Also i would like to know what level of game i need to play so that butterfly will sponsor me for the tournament in future – Currently i am using STIGA PRO CARBON as my blade and rubber. Could you please guide what type of blade and rubber should i use next? Some of my playing skill are given below: (If i can get control like stiga pro carbon then it works, Spin i need 100% and speed like stiga pro carbon also works) Forehand loop and forehand smash: comfortable would like to develop Ma Long forehand. Backhand : Backhand smash, Back hand topsin is good. Backhand not strong as forehand but developing. Service: Side spin pendulum serve + Hook topspin and backspin serve.

Please recommend me blade and rubber based on my information.

Answer: 

AJ Carney

Your Ask the Experts question was answered by AJ Carney. He is a Table Tennis Manager and Coach at Triangle Badminton & Table Tennis in Morrisville, NC. Coach Carney’s response is as follows:

Hi MD Masoom,  
The two nearest clubs are: Genesee Valley TTC – Rochester NY (3 and ½ hours from you) & Westchester TTC (2 and ½ hours). Both of these clubs would have coaching options/availability for you. You may be able to have a coach at one of the above clubs mentioned create a coaching plan for yourself but I am not sure what the fee would be for them to do that.
Obtaining a player sponsorship is difficult these days. I would focus on improving your game day by day. Typically only juniors that are exceptional and ranked Top 5 US in there age categories are the ones considered for potential sponsorship.
I would recommend Viscaria blade, Dignics 09C and Dignics 05. This setup would be a great balance between feeling/control, speed, and spin.    
Best of luck!  
Coach AJ
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