Practice racket vs main racket

Equipment

Jeffery Liem
Jeffery Liem Asked 12 years ago

Hi Coach,

I saw the chinese national team training in the magazine, they describe the player will use the practice wood during the practice, like dhs or 5-ply wood; however, when they play the world game or match, they will use the main wood during the match, like butterly or stiga(different style wood or with carbon). So, do you think we need to buy the cheaper wood or practice wood during the training and we buy the main wood for competition?

Also, how long is the wood lifetime? I just know normally the normal rubber about 80 hours!

Jeffery


Alois Rosario
Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago

Hi Jeffrey,

I would be very surprised if this was the actual case.  The players would most definitely train with the same racket they are using in matches.

The wood for the average club player can last 10 years or more.  I had my last one for 20 but wasn't playing competitively at that time. 


Thoughts on this question


Jeffery Liem

Jeffery Liem Posted 12 years ago

Hi Coach,

So, is it different between china nataional team training and europe team training? (you may watch the youtube about the china national team secret training, like wong hao, ma lin and so on.)

 will it be better to use the same wood when we are training and playing the game at the same time?

Thanks,

Jeffery


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

Hi Jeffrey,

I think the training can be slightly different.

I would definitely use the same wood for training and practice. 


Jeffery Liem

Jeffery Liem Posted 12 years ago

Hi Coach,rnrnSo, what about the rubber? they(china national team) will use same rubber for forehand chinese rubber dhs hurricane 3, but they will use the different for backhand,sometimes like tenergy 05 fx or 64, or sriver, or nittaku hammand...etcrnrnwhat do you think?rnrnThanks,rnrnJefferyrn

Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

It is common to use different rubbers on the different sides of the racket.  It depends on what you feel comfortable with on the forehand and backhand.

Claus Hamacher

Claus Hamacher Posted 12 years ago

I cannot imagine top class players using different equipment for practise and for matches.

 

Another question is: would you recommend having two identical rackets and use one for training and save the other one for matches? 


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

Claus, I wouldn't even do that because no two rackets will feel exactly the same.  The rubber will have different states of wear as well.  This is most important for short pushing, serving and return of serve... the touch shots.

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