I play close to the table very offensively, I have a powerful forehand. As soon as I can attack from topspin, I attack the ball. I play close to the table because I usually take the offensive initiative of the game, but if the other player presses me more than I do him, he takes the middle distance, I also seek control of the game through precise and aggressive topspin, and that is, I seek to finish the point quickly. I have played Innerforce ALC (with tenergy 80 and 05 on both sides), and then I switched to Jun Mizutani SuperZLC 2 years ago (I currently use Dignics 80 and 05 on both sides). I have noticed that the handle of the Mizutani shovel (I play it in AN) is thin and sometimes I lose my grip and raise my hand too much and hit with my finger. Still, it’s something I’m correcting. I’ve seen the new Harimoto SuperZLC, I like the Limba feel of my old ALC innerforce and my current Jun Mizutani Super ZLC. My question is this. Which wood will make me better in all aspects of the game, for this type of offensive player profile?: JMSZLC vs THarimotoSZLC. The main reason I changed wood is because I wanted to be more offensive, a faster attack. But right now, I don’t know which wood of the 2 benefits me the most. And as for the tires, the configuration I plan to use now is FH: change from my current Dignics 80 vs the new Dignics 09C (mm Max). BH: keep my current Dignics 05 (mm Max) vs Dignics 09C (8mm Max). What wood and rubber configuration do you recommend? I do not mind changing my current material completely again, what I am looking for is an offensive game of close and medium distance with good blocking and effect to subtract the counterattacks and soon return to take the initiative of the point through aggressive topspin, both forehand and backwards. In the serve I look for a lot of effect, but as a bag with the right rubber it has to be powerful to continue the aggressive point. I can be patient with the defenders, but I look for the topspin when I can. And with what they attack more than me, because I try to block them on the table or move away a little to look for the offensive game. I am looking for attack and dominance in the point, power, control, direct balls, with a lot of spin, a good blocking. * Attack wood, which wood to choose?: JMizutaniSZLC, THarimotoSZLC, ZJikeSZLC, PFranciskaZLC, Revoldia CNF, Viscaria, Innerforce ZLC? I am looking for an offensive game with an aggressive spin, direct and without compromise from near and medium distance. And a good block to enter into an offensive spin contract. * Right rubber: D09c vs D80? * Backhand rubber: D05 vs D80 vs D09C?
Answer:
Your Ask the Experts question was answered by Louis Levene. He is a Content Creator on YouTube (channel: Looeelooee) focused on helping viewers improve their table tennis. Coach Levene’s response is as follows:
Hi Miguel,
Thanks for your question!
As you like to play aggressively and close to the table, I would recommend that you stick with your Jun Mizutani Super ZLC.
The Harimoto Super ZLC blade has the Super ZLC on an inner layer, while the Mizutani blade has it on an outer layer. This gives the Mizutani blade a stiffer, sharper, and more direct feel in comparison to the Harimoto. This will benefit you when going for quick off-the-bounce counter attacks and make adding power feel more effortless.
I think that switching from Dignics 80 to Dignics 09C is a great idea on the forehand. 09C is a fantastic rubber for close to the table power play, and the tacky top sheet ensures that despite the hard and fast sponge, you will still have control and spin on touch shots and serves due to the increased dwell time. It has quite a unique throw angle that keeps the ball very low and deep but also makes it easy to add hook to the shot.
For the backhand rubber, I would stay away from the 09c, and use either the Dignics 05 or the Dignics 80. The reason for this is that 09c requires huge acceleration to create high quality balls, which makes common backhand shots like flipping or playing a spinny initial loop much more unforgiving. In terms of choosing between the 05 or the 80, the 05 is going to have a higher throw angle, while the 80 will feel a little more direct. I personally use Dignics 05 on my backhand and it suits my game really well. It’s stable in the common backhand to backhand rally, and has many gears. I can play a soft, spinny opening and know that the rubber will be forgiving, and if I go for an extremely powerful shot, the ball still has high quality. I also find both blocking and punching with Dignics 05 to be very effortless. Based on the way you described your game, which sounds very similar to mine, I think you would be fine with the 80 or the 05, and would get used to whichever you decide to play with. Just remember that the 80 will have a lower throw angle and feel more direct, while the 05 will be slightly more forgiving and have more arc.
Going back to the blade, if you wanted something even stiffer than the Jun Mizutani SZLC, you might want to consider the Primorac Carbon. You would need to have very advanced level touch to be able to control this blade close to the table, and it would produce less spin than the Mizutani SZLC, but you would be getting significantly more speed, making close table power shots even more effortless. I personally would still recommend the Mizutani, but this may be something to think about as well.
Please feel free to reach back out if you have any more questions!
Best,
Louis
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The Petr Korbel blade will support Ilius B’s performance due to its moderate bounce. This blade will make drop shots easier with its low trajectory as well as providing high stability when blocking.
The combination with Innerforce Layer ALC.S, which has less bounce, would be also a good choice that brings out the rubber’s main performance qualities.
For players who value chops with wide range of spin
Innershield Layer ZLF is a blade for a chopper that requires less bounce and is recommended for the chopper who seeks a more defensive game.
The racket makes chops and pushes with a wide range of spin easier and will help you to play a safer game leading to your opponents to make more errors.
This is a combination with a 7-plywood blade with a relatively high reaction. The racket makes it possible to create shots with speed, such as punches that bounce deeper in the opponent’s court with less trajectory.
It is a recommendation for the players who aim to achieve a hybrid game of both attack and defense close to the table using various spins and changes of rhythm.
For all-round choppers that play at variable distances
Diode V is a blade for choppers and has high reaction properties. This is recommended for choppers that seek attacking play as well.
It is relatively easy to control the opponent’s ball at mid-distance, and it enables players to create heavy chops with a low trajectory when at a long distance away from the table. The racket performs well during various defensive techniques and during defensive play at a variable distance.
This is a combination with a 7-plywood blade with a relatively high reaction. The racket makes it possible to create shots with speed, such as punches that bounce deeper in the opponent’s court with less trajectory.
It is a recommendation for the players who aim to achieve a hybrid game of both attack and defense close to the table using various spins and changes of rhythm.
Dignics 05 will provide a better sense of holding the ball and adding power if combined with Harimoto Tomokazu Innerforce ALC and Innerforce Layer ALC. The combination will enhance the accuracy of topspin against backspin and counter topspin play close to the table.
Innerforce Layer ZLC
Dignics 05
Powerful play close to the table and from mid-distance
The combination of Innerforce Layer ZLC and Apolonia ZLC is recommended for the player who seeks powerful play close to the table or at a mid-distance. It enables the player to return the opponent’s service using the banana-flick before executing powerful topspin strokes. Both blades possess the sense of holding the ball and releasing the power in a balanced manner.
Lin Gaoyuan ALC
Dignics 05
High-level all-round play
This is a combination with a comparably soft and easy-to-handle blade using Arylate-Carbon, like Lin Gaoyuan ALC, Timo Boll ALC or Viscaria. The blend is suited to players who aspire to use aggressive all-round play from all parts of the playing area.
Hadraw VR
Dignics 05
Powerful play with a feeling of all-wood
Combing Hadraw VR with Dignics 05 realizes both powerful offensive play and rich rotation of the ball generated from all-wood feeling.
Cypress G-MAX
Dignics 05
Powerful play generated by Japanese penhold
Combined with Dignics 05 and Cypress G-MAX, generates more power, the blend is recommended for Japanese penhold players who seek powerful forehand topspin. Dignics 80 for more balance and Dignics 64 for more speed are also recommended.
Zhang Jike Super ZLC
Dignics 80
Play in higher level without weak point
Combing a rubber well-balanced between speed and rotation, Dignics 80, and Super ZL Carbon-equipped racket Zhang Jike Super ZLC guides your play to not only a powerful but also a stable higher level.
Mizutani Jun ZLC
Dignics 80
Smart play at variable distance
Jun Mizutani chooses the combination of Dignics 80 and the desirable bounce blade Mizutani Jun ZLC. As Dignics 80 has an excellent balance between speed and spin, you can easily decide whether to block or counter depending on the speed of the opponent’s ball. This is the combination enabling an offensive counter topspin away from the table, recommended for the player who plays smart at variable distance.
Timo Boll ZLF
Dignics 80
Stable and powerful counter topspin play
The combination of Dignics 80 and Timo Boll ZLF has both good bounce and control and offers reliability thanks to the holding the ball well. This is recommended for an aggressive well-balanced playing style focused on stability.
Timo Boll CAF
Dignics 80
Develop the power
A wide range of players can benefit from Dignics series although its main intended use is for players at intermediate to a high level. The rubber will widen your options by making a powerful stroke possible even though the player is not confident in his/her power play if the stroke movement is short and slow. We recommend the combination with easy-to-use blade Timo Boll CAF to develop your play.
Zhang Jike ZLC
Dignics 64
Develop the power
Play in higher level without weak point
Combing a rubber well-balanced between speed and rotation, Dignics 80, and Super ZL Carbon-equipped racket Zhang Jike Super ZLC guides your play to not only a powerful but also a stable higher level.
Innerforce Layer ALC
Dignics 64
All-round play in a wider area
The combination is recommended for blocking and counter topspin close to the table. The racket also offers a good experience of topspin against topspin play in the mid/mid-long distance. Innerforce Layer ALC.S which has less bounce is also recommended if you seek more stability.
SK7
Dignics 64
Stable topspin-against-topspin play
Dignics 64 which has good spin offers power and stability by combing with all-wood blade SK7 Classic.
