Old Article for Newbies

Article for Butterfly: New Tenergy Rubbers, Trends, Tactics and Styles

Revised, October 12, 2010
Masaaki Tajima, National Level Coach

 

This is a revised article I wrote back in February, with a bit more detail, and about the new series of Butterfly Tenergy rubbers, trends, tactics and styles of play, and perspectives after the 2010 World Team Championships.  

 

Periodically, table tennis manufacturers comes up with new rubbers to market their products, usually, nothing revolutionary but in the last couple of years, more than usual are out due to major changes because of the speed gluing ban few years ago. Because speed gluing was such a revolutionary discovery with global impact, players are searching for products with similar qualities before the ban and manufacturers are scrambling to meet the need and demand. At the same time, style and tactics were also changing at the top level and trickling down to rest of the mortals, not just because of speed gluing ban and introduction of new rubbers to replace it, but also due to other changes in the last ten years, particularly, the larger 40mm ball and the 11 point game.

 

In the last several years, various manufacturers have come up with variety of rubbers to simulate the speed gluing effect and it seems like they are on the right track-if your style of play is still looping. I said "still", because noticeable tactical and stylistic changes have taken place since the gluing ban and the larger ball, primarily by China, and therefore the world, countering the speed glued looping style of play developed in Europe decades ago.

 

Tactics to defeat the looping style is not new; it just evolved, different and more powerful than ever, even with the larger ball. And also, the loop is far from dead. Look at the new #1 ranked Ma Long in the men’s and the top Chinese and Singapore (All originally developed in China) women; they are looping more than in recent years. Their tactics to defeat the speed glued looping technique of 20 years ago, still being used today by many players at all levels, is different but not that different and based on old concept-contact the ball earlier, put more pressure on the opponent, force them to return weaker balls. The noticeable difference is, Chinese players are bigger, taller, thus the shots are stronger than before.

 

The Loop  

 

When Japan in the 1950's came with the sponge rubber and dominated for awhile, Korea came with the loop (there is some disagreement as to where and by whom the loop actually was found), China countered with their close-to-the-table tactics, mainly pip's style, and dominated in the 60's. Europe countered with Bengsten-Johanssen era fast topspin and hitting game in the 70's then again China countered with long pip's, anti-spin and inverted combination style of play that the ITTF ruled more trickery than skill because the service rule was not as stringent and both sides of the racket was the same color, thus the now two color rule. In the late 70's and early 80's, Europe came on strong again with the likes of Joyner, Klampar and Serbic, but China was back on top again with new generation of pip’s off the bounce quick attack with Jiang Jialiang, Chen Longcan and Teng Yi.

 

Then the speed gluing revolution helped create the miracle decade of Sweden lead by Waldner, Persson, Lindh and Applegren from the mid 1980's to 1990's, all loopers with different styles and from different positions. We are now back to China dominating with Ma Long, Jike Zheng, Ma Lin, Wang Hao, Wang Li Quin and their depth of unheard of players but, in between these years, the Europeans are still in the mix with Samsanov, Schlarger, Michael Maze and Timo Boll who mostly loop and counter from different positions.

 

The rest of the world is employing Chinese players, coaches and their methods to elevate their level of play but who is emulating who and what are they using and doing that is different? It's what they do with what they have-and they have a lot.

 

When China lost the dominance to Sweden due in combination to talented Swedish players, techniques and tactics developed with the discovery of speed gluing, China also started speed gluing, developed shakehand players, made rubbers designed for speed gluing and emulated the European style of play. As the speed gluing ban transitioned to High Tension rubbers mimicking speed gluing effects and blades to handle the larger ball, they also came with bigger and taller athletes to match the Europeans. Moreover, the 11 point game increased the sense of urgency, both the need for power and consistency.

 

China historically, with some exceptions, has always played close to the table while Europe, the West and the rest of the world, played primarily mid distance. So what they use for specific purpose is important but in the end, the dominance of China have to do with coming up with tactics and the depth of talent they can tap into to implement the tactics. They were at the top before speed gluing and when they weren’t, they didn’t take long before dominating again.

 

When Sweden dominated, their players trained in China as do all top players, and some like Erik Lindh and Ulf “Tickan” Carlssen, were not typical Swedish loopers. They were called Swedish Chinese because they played close to the table off the bounce.  Whereas Applegren played away from the table, Waldner the power game and Persson all-around, made it difficult for others to cope with this multi dimensional team. Now China has shakehanders Ma Long, Jike Zheng and Wang Li Quin who loops (But more forward), penholders Ma Lin and Wang Hao, can attack with the backhand, and in the women’s, #1 Lui Shiwen and #2 Feng Tianwei’s combination of hitting and looping, continues the cycle of learning and emulating from others.

 

Although speed gluing is gone and manufacturers have produced products that mimic it since the ban about five years ago, the tactics to defeat this was noticed more than ten years ago and new generation of rubbers came out to facilitate this style and trend; variation of high tension for power, spinier top sheet with better feel and control. Top Chinese players also used to speed glue, influenced by Europe. Although they have the capability to loop when necessary, they power drive the ball rather than arcing the ball, most likely because of the bigger and heavier ball slowing down the speed, so firmer sponge is more suited for this style and tactic. 

 

Different Strokes for Different Folks.

 

But this style and tactic is not for all because it is very difficult to execute consistently, especially close to the table where high level of natural ability and training is required. It is one thing to try to mimic the top players because, well, they are the top players so we need to play like them, and actually be able do it. Moreover, the 11 point game doesn’t allow much feeling out process; the players must be able to apply pressure and handle pressure from beginning of the match. Not all are suited, capable or want to play this way.

 

The axiom, “it’s not the sword but the swordsman” holds true. The best equipment in the world will help you only to the extent and limit of your talent and determination. Choose the equipment that best suits your style of play, not because you can win with it, but because you can play best with it.   

 

After testing them myself and observing their use by other different style of players, Tenergy 05, 25 and 64 series is better suited for drive type strokes and for players who are already accomplished and looking for power especially when countering strong shots. The sponge handles opponents spin and speed well but not as well when the on coming ball is slower with less speed. Tenergy is suited for players who are already physically strong, who can impart stronger force when striking the ball.

 

The new Tenergy FX, like other Butterfly FX designations, has softer sponge for more dwell time for extra control (And slightly lighter in weight). FX rubbers usually are better suited for loopers who play off the table, but due to Tenergy FX’s extra feel and grip, it can also be used for close to the table game. This is excellent for all-around power style players.