Time for an upgrade?

Hi Alois/Jeff,

Your videos are superb. Thanks for all the lessons and the good work that you guys do.

Alois you are the true definition of the word "coach"

Jeff...you rock!!!....wish I could play like you. I try to emulate you when I play. Read your background story and you are a true champ.

Since there are no coaches or experts that have watched my game, I would like both of your advice regarding my style of play

A little background...I have been playing for about 5 years and developing my technique with a basic level pre made bat (Yuki-ST with Butterfly Flextra rubber both sides).

I play a lot of forehand smashes to the corners of the table and my forehand smash is really powerful and consistent. I use a lot of power when I hit the ball. 

My forehand topspins are not as good as my smashes and less consistent. I guess I find it difficult to place the topspins into the corners. However most of my topspins that do land on the table do have good topspin but no sidespin. (I watched the forehand loop video and Jeff's returns appear to have some side spin too) 

My backhand is not as powerful but i do have a good backhand topspin that my opponents find difficult to return.However control is not as good as with my forehand

My chops and pushes both BH/FH are pretty consistent

I feel the need to upgrade to a better bat now since the rubber on my current one is dead and worn out, but I am a little held back due to the fact that I still play well with this bat and my shots are consistent with it

However I would like to play better and want to take my game to the next level and need good advice from true experts.

According to my style of play...What blade should I go for? What rubber?....I like to control the ball to make it go to the corners..but at the same time make sure that its fast and power packed. I have a tendency to hit the ball hard to make it go faster. Is this because the rubber on my current bat is dead/worn out?

I just know that i like playing with a straight handle rather than a Flared one.

As per all the reading I have done, Mark V or Sriver is what I should go for? Have no clue about the blade though.

Hope I have not confused you guys :)

All in all Jeff's style of play is what I am aiming for.

Thanks once again both of you. 

Hi MJ,

Thanks for those very kind words.

I think that you are on the right track with the rubber.  Once your strokes are consistent and you have good technique you can move up.  Your current bat would have allowed you to develop that control and develop your strokes well.

The next step as you say is better rubber and perhaps a better blade.  Sriver and Mark V are good steps forward.  The next option would be Yasaka Pryde.

As far as blades are concerned I woul dgo with something with good control.  The bat we recommend as the next step is the William Henzell Bat with Mark V.  This is a good all round blade and will give you a bit more speed and spin than you are getting at the moment.

The other option is a blade like a Stiga All Round Classic.  Whatever it is make sure it has a medium sort of rating for speed otherwise it will be too much of a chnage from you current bat.