mark_set_match

I have played with a Butterfly Cretu (about $50) racquet for about a
year now and have just about demolished it. I tend to mix in a lot of
violent chops (more backhand than forehand) and have hit the table
enough times that the wood is shattered/flaking off. When I first
moved to the Cretu (from a $16 paddle, I forget the brand) it was very
fast but within a week or so I was able to control the greater
speed/spin and hit more winners. My preferred style is to create
points through setup shots to the opponent's weakness (usually
backhand) and then jump around a forehand loop kill as early in the
point as possible.

Now I'm at a point where the Cretu feels somewhat slow but I do like
the control/feel. I'd like to upgrade to a faster racquet in the $65 -
$85 range that provides just as much spin (if not more), a bit more
speed, and the same control. A friend has let me try his 7-ply Yasaka
Gatien Offensive 40 w/Mark V (OFF rating) but it feels a bit too hard
and fast for my taste. I'm worried that my chops, placement shots, and
defense would suffer. Not sure what speed rating (e.g. ALL, OFF) my
Cretu would get since Butterfly doesn't rate that way (they give it 10
for speed and spin, but that doesn't seem right). Since the Gatien is
just a bit too fast, I'm thinking that an OFF- rating would be good
for me.

PaddlePalace has the following OFF- rated combo specials listed in my
price range:

Juic Yiyong Fan Extra Combo Special---$83.95
Nittaku GHT Combo Special---$69.95
Nittaku Wonder Blade with Nittaku rubber---$83.95
Joola Zolli Cross Combo Special---$69.95
Hunter Fire Combo Special---$74.95
Stiga Hypertech 35/45 Combo Special---$80.95
Stiga Offensive Classic Combo Special---$72.95
Tibhar #1-in-the-World Special (Samsonov Alpha)---$78.95
Tibhar X-Press DHT Combo Special---$76.95
Yasaka Mark V Special Edition Combo---$73.95

Based on the above description of my style of play, if anyone could
recommend (or rule out) a paddle I would greatly appreciate it. If
there are other brands with equipment in the same prince range that
you think fit my style please feel free to suggest. I'm leaning
towards the Yasaka Mark V SE with Mark V stage 2.5 for forehand and
X-Tend 2.0 for backhand. It's very tough to buy online sight unseen,
so any input is most welcome.

Thanks so much,
Mark

lorenz jacobsen

Mark <mark_set_match@yahoo.com> schrieb in im Newsbeitrag:
e2ccbbc9.0312121159.37980fbb@posting.google.com...


Mark, don't be stupid. You need a fast racket if you don't want the ball to
be returned. For example: Stiga Super Carbon, straight handle with max Mendo
MP both sides--red on the forehand. Don't forget to speed glue with Stiga
Energy and preglue with a non-speed glue such as Stiga Victory. See:
http://www.tabletennis.se > Specials > STIGA Superteam > Jens Lundquist & Fredrik
Håkansson.

LLJ

bobby myers

I thought paint thinner or lighter fluid were
more effective (more criminal) pre-glues
I guess they are pre-pre-@home-glues

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mark_set_match

I just placed an order on Paddle Palace for an OFF- blade I hadn't
noticed before -- the Yasaka Gatien Extra 3d -- with Mark V 2mm
forehand and Xtend 1.8 mm backhand (gotta stay in the same product
family with the product specials). Interestingly, it was about $6
cheaper through PP combo than Megaspin combo. However, not sure if PP
will seal the blade to prevent wood splintering (something I really
need that Megaspin does include).

Hopefully I can get greater speed eventually (when I'm ready) by
switching to Mark V 2.5mm or possibly the V Stage or some other fast
rubber.

Thanks,
Mark

min ling hui

What will you do if the IOC(ITTF) gets some sense (more like to get
reduced jail sentences..........since it may be already too late) and
reduces the maximum allowed thickness to say 1.9 mm at AGM2004 ?


FAQs page is now updated
FAQs for table-tennis........continuous updates leading to Olympics 2004
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Horrible Truth about table-tennis ( initial draft )
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mark_set_match

I will most likely run through the streets screaming WHY OH LORD WHY
and then embark on an alcoholic binge that leaves me only able to
dream about pong while lying in the gutter, homeless and destitute.
Either that or I will simply change the rubber on my racquet to meet
the new requirements.

mrpong

I wouldn't recommend that first idea since that is exactly how S-Jan
reacted when the ITTF introduced the aspect ratio rule. Although he's
not lying in a gutter dreaming about pong, he is experiencing daily
hallucinations while confined to the mental institution that is his
only escape from homelessness.

B&B