OOAK Table Tennis Forum

This is a pretty old thread but last night I put a new sheet of Baracuda Big Slam 2.0 on my forehand and gave it a go.

I've used all sorts of tensor rubbers including Hexer, Baracuda, Gewo Flexxon, Regalis Red, V01 Limber, and my latest is Victas V401.

Generally I change rubbers once a year and the V401 had lost a lot of grip, in fact its tackiness wore off quite early despite caring for it. Wasn't really that impressed with it, especially compared to the Triple Regular that I put on my backhand that wasn't supposed to be that tacky but I found far more durable.

So after a recent bad defeat I do what no-one should do, that is to blame my equipment and go out and buy a new rubber, but that is what I did.

Its a real smorgasboard out there and after much procrastination I thought I'd go for the Big Slam in 2.0mm, in search of the tensor 'click' that I love.

Was a little apprehensive given its an older gen rubber not made for the plastic ball but I really was impressed. Hard to explain but on my Waldner Senso All+, loops just landed, plenty of spin and heaps of control. I really enjoyed using this rubber and the nice click was just what I wanted. Some say its too soft to be a forehand rubber. I'm an intermediate player and for me it was just fine and at this stage I think I might have found my long term rubber.

Of course thats not true and I'll be back on here with another story next year.

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Donic Waldner Senso V1,FH Baracuda Big Slam 2.0mm ,BH Victas Triple Regular 2.0mm

A lot of people lose because of overplaying the ball and making unforced errors. Can't keep it on the table. A softer rubber will help to hold the ball longer and absorb some of the extra nervous energy that is unwittingly put on the ball when put under pressure. It can also generate some spin by itself when that pressure manifests itself as stiff, robotic movements.

Using a high end rubber that is just within your abilities may be ok for training or when playing your friends, who's games' you know well. But it is a liability when under pressure from someone new, who is at the same level as you or higher, especially in a competition. In that situation, you play worse and your equipment will not forgive that. You need to absolutely trust your equipment when in that situation. If you even begin to suspect that the equipment is not suitable then it's likely not, and that will attack you psychologically during the match.

It's difficult to 'step down' to more controllable rubber, as it helps you to obliterate opponents at a lower level than you with way less effort. But then against more difficult players, the mistakes get you and you have no chance. The more controllable rubber will force you to put in way more effort against the lower level players, but when playing the better ones, you will have a much greater chance. You can force them to beat you instead of beating yourself. And on some days when they are not playing that well, you may get a win from them.