How do I keep up with the competition?
Equipment
Esteban Mendez Asked 12 years ago
Ok so there's this opponent who has a better paddle than myself. I remember I used to play evenly with him a year ago. Now since he's gotten the best paddle with incredible rubber grip, he's far surpassed me now. His spins(top, side, back) are amazing. My paddle is ok but not as great as his. Anyway, do you have any suggestions as to how to get by a situation like this? Do I need more practice? I always practice as much as I can. I do see small improvements, but no dramatic ones like him. Would I have to purchase a better paddle or can I even the score with my current one?
Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago
Hi Esteban,
As long as you have something that suits your level then it is up to your training. If your racket is not suitable to your level then you may have to upgrade.
What do you use and what is your opponent using?
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Esteban Mendez Posted 12 years ago
Ok first off, I'm in college. So most of my opponents are college students. I think I use the Stiga Hardbat Table Tennis Racket. The surfraces are bumpy but don't have a good enough grippage. The paddle is almost new to me-Good condition and all. I'd say this paddle could be labeled intermediate (compared to other paddles in school with absolutely no grippage at all. I mean they have no rubber, just the wood itself. Most of us use those btw). This will do good for the average player as well as a more advanced player. My spin serves are, as a result, average. Not weak, but not strong either. This means I can take the average player off their game with my serves alone. However, against more advanced players, my serves produce no effect at all. My opponent is around the same age as I. He carries with him what looks like the Stiga Master Series Cannon Table Tennis Racket. It's 10 times more expensive than mine. The surface is purely rubber so he gets the upper hand on me there. It's an excellent racquet for advanced players and semi-professionals. This means his spin serves come out strong and he can take out advanced players with his serves alone sometimes. I play evenly with other advanced players. Against him though, I don't stand a chance.
Hi Esteban,
I think you need to upgrade your bat if you want to get any real spin on the ball. This is an issue with a lot of players. The bats with pimples on it and no sponge under the rubber are very difficult to generate any spin and to develop your strokes with.
At a minimum, try to get a bat with rubber on it with sponge under the rubber. This will allow you to develop your game and learn the strokes that we show you in our lessons on Strokes & Technique.