Site Products
Ask The Experts: Cherry Zhao No. 389

Ask The Experts: Cherry Zhao No. 373

Posted on

Butterfly Table Tennis Question and Answer

Question:

I’m interested in the butterfly innerforce layer ALC and the butterfly Tomokazu harimoto ALC . Comparing them on the butterfly website they seem to have the same composition of veneers . The only difference being the Harimoto blade has a marginally larger head size. Please compare and contrast the playing properties such as speed, spin and control of these two blades . Please assist me in making an informed decision in choosing between the two blades. Which of these two blades will better suit looping away from the table?

Answer: 

image004 (1)

This Ask the Experts question was answered by Coach Cherry Zhao. She is a coach at California Table Tennis in Rosemead, CA. Coach Zhao’s response is as follows:

Hi Akhil, 

 I would recommend you try the Tomokazu Harimoto ALC.

 The Tomokazu Harimoto ALC is faster and more powerful than the Innerforce Layer ALC. The Innerforce Layer ALC is softer and a little bit slower.

 If you like to stay far away from the table, then the Tomokazu Harimoto ALC will be the best choice for you.

 Best of luck!

 Coach Cherry

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

Patrick Franziska vs Tomokazu Harimoto | MS Final | WTT Frankfurt 2026

November 13, 2026
(By Butterfly Americas) If you missed the men’s singles final at WTT Champions Frankfurt 2026, catch the full… Read More

Raymond Zhang Named Canadian Table Tennis Coach of the Year for Second Consecutive Year

November 13, 2026
(By Raymond Zhang / Butterfly Americas) Raymond Zhang, head coach of Three10 TTC, has been named Canadian Coach… Read More

Patrick Franziska vs Shunsuke Togami | MS SF | WTT Frankfurt 2026

November 13, 2026
(By Butterfly Americas) Relive the semifinal action from WTT Champions Frankfurt 2026, where Germany’s Patrick Franziska gave the… Read More

Lin Yun-Ju vs Tomokazu Harimoto | MS SF | WTT Frankfurt 2026

November 12, 2026
(By Butterfly Americas) Relive the action from WTT Frankfurt 2026 where Tomokazu Harimoto held off two comebacks from… Read More

Yu Di – Long Pips Chop Block Mechanics

November 12, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Yu Di is working with Jiangshan Guo on the Mechanics… Read More

Shashin Shodhan Amicus Training Series – Loop Transition

November 11, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Amicus Training Series, Shashin Shodhan is executing a Loop Sequence and Footwork Drill… Read More

Angel Naranjo – Reverse Pendulum Serve

November 10, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Angel Naranjo is demonstrating the Reverse Pendulum Serve to the… Read More

Harimoto and Hayata Win in Frankfurt

November 9, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Germany's Patrick Franziska gave hope to Germany fans with his heroics, but ultimately… 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.