Role of Wood?

hassaan kausar Asked 12 years ago

Hi Coach,

Sir i wanted to ask that how much does a wood affect ur game of table tennis....and which one is of more importance comparatively if u choose between a wood and rubber...??

i am a big fan of both of u , and i also want to ask u that does the tensor rubber like Joola Energy and Energy-Xtra are a better replacement of a normal rubber like Mark V? or Mark V wud be fine...??

and plus which wood is the most suitable for tensor rubbers like Energy (FH) and Energy Xtra(BH)???

thanking u in anticipation.. :)

Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago

Hi Hassaan,

I think the rubber is much more important than the wood. Take a look at this blog form a couple of years ago. Equipment experiment. It was interesting then and I think is still relevant.

I don't think it is really so important. Just get something that feels right for you. It is a matter of taste.

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hassaan kausar Posted 12 years ago

oh yes its good to know that...rubber counts more...

and sir what abt the choice between rubbers...as between a normal and a tensor rubber...? which 1 is more recommended?

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

It is a preference. The Tensor rubbers will tend to be faster but wear quicker.

Thomas Kunzfeld Posted 9 years ago

Hi Alois and Jeff,

I recently read something in a German table tennis book that confirms what you say about the role ofe the wood compared to the role of the rubber.

Quote (my bad translation): „Which of the two components of the racket has the greater influence on the technical qualities (speed, spin) of the racket is the thing that is most often misjudged – also by experienced players and coaches.“

Then they mention results of studies which are e.g.:

1. spin:

In case of a racket with a 1mm sponge the wood contributes (in average) about 15% to the spin and the rubber 85%.

1,5mm sponge: 10% wood, 90% sponge

2,0mm sponge: 7% wood, 93 % sponge

2,3mm/max sponge: 5% wood, 95% sponge.

2. speed:

(of course this is also average and depends on the kind of racket covering)

If you have a racket with a 1mm sponge the wood contributes about 35% to the speed and the rubber 65%.

1,5mm sponge: 25% wood, 75% sponge

2,0mm sponge: 15% wood, 85% sponge

2,3mm/max sponge: 8% wood, 92% sponge

They say: „Interestingly the influence of the wood on the speed of the racket is significantly overrated by the majority of players and coaches.“

And: „The question remains: Why is so much attention paid to the wood, if the technical qualities are mainly determined by the rubber?

The feeling for the ball – as unprecise this term might be – depends considerably on the wood. The feedbacks of the ball contact – how, when and where have I hit the ball? - are more distinct with a higher quality wood. In addition the player becomes accustomed to his wood very much. In practice a change of the wood is more difficult and requires more fine-tuning than a change of the rubber.“

(Quotes from „Tischtennis“ by Gross/Huber)

I hope my translation is understandable :-)

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago

Interesting… thanks.