Ask The Experts: Jörg Bitzigeio, No. 237
Butterfly Table Tennis Question and Answer

Question:

Hi,
I want to buy a new blade from your website. Could you please help me buying it ? I am looking for Tiago Apolonia ZLC or Marco fretias ALC. I want control in the blade in my game also want to block incoming topspins, I also play aggressively topspins as well . So kindly recommend me which one I should go for and why ? I read on Butterfly website that reaction(speed) time is higher on MF ALC comparatively TA ZLC, but technically ZLC is faster than ALC so why TA is slower than MF ? Is it because of 2 layers of limba which is softer outside on TA ? Correct me if I am wrong, Kindly elaborate both blades performances. I am learning and taking coaching, learning techniques and I am an intermediate player. If i have to choose from mentioned blades which one you recommend and what do you think your advices are also welcome you also advise me which blades I should go for ? If I have to choose Waiting for your reply impatiently.

Answer: 

This Ask the Experts question was answered by Jörg Bitzigeio. He is the High Performance Director of USATT.Coach Bitzigeio’s response is as follows:

Hello Vishal,

I hope you are doing fine and I like to read that you are interested in using Butterfly products, which have a really high quality!

Both paddles you are looking for are very good and it’s not possible which is better in general. The question is which best fits you personally.

The way you describe your playing style, I personally would recommend you go with an ALC blade instead of a ZLC, because ALC has a little bit more control. It is not as fast as ZLC and will help you not only with attacking, but also with blocking incoming topspin balls, too.

Finally, you will need to figure it out when you will play it, but I’m sure, you will enjoy it.

Good luck!

Jörg