Site Products
AJ Carney

Ask The Experts: AJ Carney, No. 402

Posted on

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
Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.

Latest News

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Seattle Pacific Table Tennis Club

April 12, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) Seattle Pacific Table Tennis Club (SPTTC) is located in Bellevue, Washington, off of highway SR-520… Read More

Central American & Caribbean Championships: Teams

April 12, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo ITTF) Puerto Rico swept the Men's and Women's Team events at this week's Central… Read More

Preview: 2026 MLTT Championship Weekend

April 12, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) The 2025-26 Major League Table Tennis season has delivered its share of drama,… Read More

Odo Wins Third Tour Title in Taiyuan

April 12, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Japan's talented Satsuki Odo will continue her climb in the World Rankings as… Read More

Wen Ruibo Doubles Up in Taiyuan

April 12, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) China's newest star, Wen Ruibo was eligible to play in three events this… Read More

Keep the Racket High

April 10, 2026
1,2 or 3 balls in Forehand and 1 fixed ball in Backhand FETHOMANIA 25: Drill 4 https://youtube.com/shorts/PKhCJK_su28 All… Read More

Cindy Zhu WTT Contender Paraguay

April 10, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Bowmar Sports Tournament Highlights is a highlight of Cindy Zhu's performance https://youtu.be/kvdJ4sTt2VM Stay “In… Read More

Want More Control?

April 8, 2026
1,2 or 3 balls in Backhand and 1 fixed ball in Forehand FETHOMANIA 25: Drill 3 https://youtube.com/shorts/G5uFWsxbVBk All… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.