FOR BLADES
Every table tennis player has his own individual style of play – as has every blade and rubber.It is now possible to obtain a distinctive match between the two, it easy for a player to find the perfect match of blade and rubbers.Few players have only one way of playing.There is a distinct basis of play but with other elements.For example, all-round players will take the opportunity to win the point by attacking when possible but attacking players are also sometimes forced into blocking or passive play during certain situations.Similarly the performance of blades and rubber is not only one-dimensional. There is always a wide range of performance,which we can now illustrate.
From DEF (defensive) – and + graduating through AR (all-round) to OFF (offensive).
The first step is to analyse yourself: what type of player are you? A rough distinction would be the following four categories.
DEF (Defensive)
You are a defensive player who prefers to slice the ball.
AR (All round)
You are an all round player who uses all TT techniques: chop, block, spin, and smash. You prefer tactical play and exact placement of balls or a speedier game.
OFF (Offensive) – focal point spinYou are a strategic player who uses reversed pimpled rubber. The main characteristic of your game is topspin.Playing close to the table or only from a short distance, you try to win your points with spin strategies.
OFF (Offensive) – focal point smash
You prefer speed to spin. The main characteristics of your game are hard blocked balls and smashes with exact placement. You usually play with ‘pimples out’ rubber on the backhand.
Blades
Elasticity
Control of the ball is effected when the ball makes contact with the bat. The elastic properties of a blade make you feel this contact. It is down to the individual which type of elasticity is preferred. We outline the five categories of elasticity. If you take these categories into consideration it will help determine your blade choice.
• Elastic
You can really feel the contact between ball and blade, often with a vibration. A good example is the defensive blade Donic DEFPLAY CLASSIC SENSO, which has excellent control.
• Control-elastic
Balanced, distinct contact between blade and ball with no disturbing vibration. Perfect control for allround strategies, and when combined with spin elastic rubber also for offensive strategies. Example: Donic APPELGREN ALLPLAY SENSO
• Speed-elastic
You still clearly feel the contact between the elastic blade and the ball, but this blade is obviously stiffer and faster than a control –elastic blade-example: Donic WALDNER SENSO.
• Nearly stiff
The vibration has been reduced to a minimum.You still have good ball contact.
These blades are usually very fast. Example: Donic PERSSON POWERPLAY
• Stiff
The predominant characteristic is speed,not always easy to control, but a good example for a solution to this problem is
the Donic BURN OFF.
Handles
The choice of handle is purely personal. In the drop down boxes you can see the available handle shapes for each blade. There is no ‘best’ handle,everyone should choose the handle they find most comfortable. Straight handles are usually held more loosely, while concave and anatomic handles are held relatively firmly. Handles, which have not been lacquered, naturally absorb sweat better.
B
