Rubber for Chinese style forehand

Dariusz Rypień Asked 2 years ago

Hello,

I've been recently wondering if you need a specific rubber type for a specific stroke technique. In other words, if you can use Chinese style forehand with European rubbers and vice versa or do you need Chinese ones to make it work? For 5 months I've been using Tibhar  MXp-P on forehand side on Tibhar VS Unlimited's blade. Earlier I used a slower blade and rubbers. In the beginning my forehand was probably little bit more European (less body rotation, more bend arm, shorter stroke) and I struggled with consistency using this rubber.  I've recently started (like 2 months ago) to develop Chinese technique because I got really inspired by Chinese players and by the effectiveness of their forehands. Surprisingly this technique (hitting more with the body than with the arm and pushing the arm more forward on contact with 45 degrees closed bat angle) helped me to execute more relaxed, consistent and powerful strokes. So does this rubber (MX-P Tibhar) work better with Chinese technique or it doesn't matter so much at all? 

Alois Rosario Answered 2 years ago

Hi Dariusz,

For the type of stroke you are developing I think it is better to use a harder sponge with a more tacky surface on the rubber.  This will allow the more angle on the blade and the gripping of the ball with this type of stroke.

It sounds like the Tibhar rubber you have chose would be suitable for this.