August 2, 2019 Ask The Experts: Sung Soo Jung No. 257 Butterfly Table Tennis Question and Answer Question: I have been playing with SPW for over a yr now and it’s a great blade for looping which is what I love to do and play defensive and smash with my backhand. I know with more speed comes less control but I can’t get anymore out of the 5ply wood paddle and am wanting to move up to a carbon blade but would love to keep the same feel I have now but with more speed. What blade and rubber do you recommend for me? Looking for more speed and to keep great looping abilities. Thank you Mark Answer: 

This Ask the Experts question was answered by Sung Soo Jung. Coach Jung is the head coach at the Jung Table Tennis Club in Los Angeles, CA and his response is as follows: Dear Mark, It is great that you enjoy playing loops. As you already know a loop is a stroke that generates a great deal of topspin. Being able to loop means a player has already mastered basic table tennis skills. You mentioned in your letter that you have been playing with a SWP blade for over a year. However, from the fact that you are able to loop I can surmise that you have been playing table tennis a lot longer than a year. I commend you for it. In order to play loops efficiently,  it would be beneficial for a player to use a paddle that provides control and topspin. I hope you find your current choice of blade adequate, which offers these features.  You also mentioned that you are willing to try a new blade that is constructed with carbon layers. I would like to recommend Timo Boll ALC which is typical for Arylate-Carbon blades. It features a medium hard touch and a great feel for the ball.  For the forehand rubber, my recommendation is Tenergy 05. Tenergy 05 also provides a unique feeling. It is designed using a technique that combines a high Tension rubber and tacky surface. It imparts excellent spin onto the ball. Timo Boll 05 enables a full range of topspin play.  For the backhand rubber,  Tenergy 05 FX may be an excellent choice for you. It combines High Tension technology with Spring Sponge that produces a softer feeling. Tenergy 05 FX is the perfect solution for players who are seeking to improve topspin strokes. Production of topspin strokes is crucial in a successful execution of looping.  I hope my recommendations are helpful.  Best wishes! Coach Jung