Rubbers what to do
Equipment
Sean Maynard Asked 11 years ago
Okay this may sound like quite a noob question but I noticed today with the current bat that I own...basically a sporting goods special...I don't really generate quite the spin that I need to learn the proper strokes granted yes it's better than what I had but not quite allowing me to do what I want to do. I am looking into new rubbers, bats, etc. What does all the jargon mean? Off+ off- all+ etc and as far as rubbers when it says 1.8,2.0,max I kind of understand but what does max mean? I feel I can make a more educated buying experience if I know what I am looking for and what the products provide as opposed to shooting from the hip and hoping my money goes to a good cause.
Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago
Hi Sean,
This is a question that a lot of players go through.
Firstly: Off+ etc are all ratings that the manufacturer gives their own equipment. Off meaning Offensive and ALL meaning Allround.
For a first bat it is probably best to go for something in the Allround to Off- range. The rubber comes with sponges of different thicknesses. That is the 1.8 or 2.0mm. Max is usually about 2.2mm. The thicker the rubber the faster it is as long as you are talking about the same rubber.
At PingSkills we have a blade and rubber that we think is suitable as a first custom bat. The PingSkills Touch with Mark V are what we recommend. This is by no means the only option because there are a lot of blades and rubbers that are the same but it is something that we have sourced to take the guess work out of buying equipment.
Thoughts on this question
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Sean Maynard Posted 11 years ago
Thank you for the advice. I noticed the bat you suggested through the site was out of stock so I opted to go a different but similar route seeing as to I am the most impatient person there is sometimes lol. I went a very similar build though. I bought the Offensive CR WRB from Stiga (I am kind of partial to them now from my first bats) Spd: 86 Ctl: 70 Wgt: 78 and the rubbers I went with were the Pryde 30 for the FH spd: 84 spn: 89 ctl : 75 for the BH I went with the Mark V HPS Soft Spd: 81 Spn: 89 Ctl: 76 I figured that would give me a decent compromise of speed and control with a bit higher spin both sides 2.0 mm I think the blade was Off- which seems my style I am excited to get my new bat and start training with it I just got my robot today tried it out and really gonna help me with countering back spins the top spin feature on it is a little...hit or miss lol I can't handle top speed yet but working on it.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Great to hear you have something that feels comfortable. And with your robot up and going you will have a good opportunity to work on your game. Let me know how it progresses.
Sean Maynard Posted 11 years ago
Thank you very much I will do so. I just found out today six balls is not that effective in the iPong robot lol. That'll be another trip to the store.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Yes you definitely need more...
Sean Maynard Posted 11 years ago
Well things have DEF improved with more balls and more playing at the club. I actually won two games this past Monday night...no matches yet but...two games is 1000% improvement. I am still trying to really fine tune my topspin counter to the backspin I'm finding I really have to put a lot into it. A little forward movement with a lot of vertical seems to do the trick most of the time against the robot But I know there is a lot more to it than that so more practice :)
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Excellent. More than 6 ball is good.
The topspin against backspin is crucial. Keep going on it. It is a matter of getting enough experience to be able to play the stroke confidently. The more speed you can get through the stoke while maintaining the brushing contact, the easier it is to lift the ball.
Well done on those wins. Keep up the consistent training.
Sean Maynard Posted 11 years ago
I am definitely finding out that a strong counter to the backspin is really what is keeping me from the win column more often That mixed with some foot work should put me where I would like to be. I have learned a little trick that kind of helped me. It seems that unlocking my wrist and allowing it to hinge through the stroke makes a huge difference on weather or not the ball goes over the net or not and adding that little bit of forward movement with my stroke gives it that forward momentum it needs to really get moving and not be a lob. The big problem is I have to go through this thought process each time I attempt the stroke lol It reminds me of golf so many things to think about and if any one of them are out of line the shot will not go where you want it. So once I can do this without thinking about it ....watch out lol
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Yes keep going with tbe repetition. It will become automatic eventually.