Ask The Experts No. 201: Jishan Liang
Butterfly Table Tennis Question and Answer

Question:

I want to buy aggressive style Table Tennis for my kids 8 year old & 13 year old , They are currently in intermediate Level and Both them like to play attacking shots , top spin , Please suggest which table tennis racket they should buy 7ply Wood or 7 Ply Carbon, basic query – What is meaning of AN/FL/ST Handles.

8 Years Old:

1. What racket (blade and rubber) are you currently using? Currently we are using Stiga Force 5 Star Pre-assembled racket (screesnshot of the Racket attached) 
2. How old are the rubbers that you are using? Racket is more than 1 year old
3. What do you like about your current racket?  Current racket has got good top spin.
4. What do you dislike about your current racket? For Top Spin -When hit on any sides of Racket, Ball goes out of Table (though when hit on middle of Racket  the ball goes correctly on the table). While hitting fore hand Smash speed is not that good, Also wood on the side is damaged (picture attached for your reference..
5. How would you describe your forehand style of play?   Forehand Play – I like to do Brushing , Top Spin & Hit lot of Smash , I am aggressive player.
6. How would you describe your backhand style of play? Backhand Style – I would generally do Backhand Push & Backhand Smash 
7. Do you want to have the same rubber on both sides or would you prefer the best rubbers for your style of play? Currently I  am looking for better rubber which has more speed & spin
8. What do you hope to gain with the new equipment? Greater Speed and more Spin & control
9. What is your budget for this purchase?  I would like to buy racket up to USD $ 150 

13 Years Old :

1. What racket (blade and rubber) are you currently using? Currently we are using Stiga Force 5 Star Pre-assembled racket  
2. How old are the rubbers that you are using? Racket is more than 1 year old
3. What do you like about your current racket? Current racket has got good speed & comfortable grip, 
4. What do you dislike about your current racket? For Top Spin -When hit on any sides of Racket, Ball goes out of Table (though when hit on middle of Racket the ball goes correctly on the table). While hitting fore hand Smash speed is not that good
5. How would you describe your forehand style of play?  Forehand Play – I like to do chop , Top Spin & Smash , I am aggressive player.
6. How would you describe your backhand style of play? Backhand Style – I like to Backhand Push/chop & normal Backhand Return
7. Do you want to have the same rubber on both sides or would you prefer the best rubbers for your style of play? Currently I  am looking for better rubber which has more speed & spin 
8. What do you hope to gain with the new equipment?  Greater Speed , comfortable grip , and more Spin
9. What is your budget for this purchase? I would like to buy racket up to USD $ 150 

Thanks in advance for the assistance support.

Answer: 

This Ask the Experts question was answered by Jishan Liang. He is one of the coaches at New York Indoor Sports Club in College Point, NY. Coach Liang’s response is as follows:

Hi Suresh,

 For the 8 year old,  I would recommend the Viscaria. It is the most popular blade in North America. It has good feeling and a good price.

 For the 13 year old, I recommend the Timo Boll W7. It is good for kids; good control and the price is only $99.99.

Please let me know if you have any more questions as I’m happy to help you.

 Coach Liang