Rubber Selection

Hi I recently started playing table tennis again I have a Mizutani ZLC with tenergy 80 2.1 forehand and backhand which I used when I was younger this is proving too fast for me now. I am struggling to return services on my backhand 

I am wondering what rubbers I should now use (I am considering T05 1.9mm backhand and T80 1.9mm forehand) and wondered if this would be a good set up as I would like to play in the local league 

I normally play close/ mid distance from table looping with both forehand and backhand (I do have a tendency to chop/block on backhand)

Any suggestions would be really appreciated

Hi Irfaan,

It’s great to hear you’re getting back into table tennis and aiming to compete in your local league! Adjusting your equipment to suit your current style and speed preference is a smart move. Given your description of your play style and the issues you're experiencing with the speed of your current setup, it sounds like switching to a slightly slower rubber could help you control the game better, especially on those service returns and when chopping or blocking on the backhand.

The Tenergy 05 (T05) and Tenergy 80 (T80) are both excellent choices from Butterfly, but they do cater to slightly different styles. T05 is known for its high spin and arc, which is beneficial for looping, especially from mid-distance. T80, being somewhat of a middle ground between T05 and Tenergy 64, offers a balance of spin and speed, with a bit more control than T05. Since you’ve mentioned a tendency to chop and block on the backhand, opting for T05 in a 1.9mm thickness on the backhand could be slightly challenging if you’re finding Tenergy 80 too fast currently. T05 tends to be faster and more spin-sensitive, which might not help with your service return issues.

A potential setup could be: 
- Backhand: Tenergy 80 in 1.9mm. This choice retains some familiarity while offering better control and a slightly softer feel compared to T05, helping with your chops and blocks.
- Forehand: Tenergy 05 in 1.9mm. This setup will still provide you with the spin and power necessary for your looping play from close to mid-distance, but the reduced thickness from 2.1mm to 1.9mm will help manage the speed and give you more control.

This combination should provide a good balance between control and the ability to generate spin and speed when needed, aligning well with your described playing style. As you play more and adjust to being back in the sport, you can tweak your rubber choices based on what aspects of your game you feel need enhancement. Lastly, make sure to also spend some time practising service returns specifically, as adjusting to rubber alone won't solve all difficulties, especially in the service return which can be quite technique-driven. Hope this helps.