EJ:ing vs none EJ:ing...

[speedplay]

I've been playing on a somewhat serious level for ~5 years now, and the first 4 years, I spent EJ:ing. This gave me a pretty good understanding of different equipment and pro's and con's with it. How ever, there were always some experienced player (Like Biggy) who told me (and the rest of the EJ's) that nothing was gained by this constant changing, but a lot was lost with it. I must admit that I thought that those dinosaurs were wrong, as I had no problems adjusting to new equipment, I simple assumed they were passing on advices on how it should be, rather then actually passing on advices on how it actually is.

Now I've been loyal to the same blade and bh rubber for more then a year, while making some changes in the fh, but this has helped me realise one thing, the dinosaurs were right! It's not like my loop have improved by sticking to one set up, neither have my serves or chops improved, but one thing that have improved greatly is my ability to land those reflex shots I previously always failed at, such as blocking a fast loop from close to the table. I always used to block these way to long, or in the net, but having stayed with the same equipment for such a long time, I'm now starting to land those blocks.

So, the conclusion I've reached is, there is nothing wrong with some EJ:ing early on, but once you settle with one set up, you will notice the advantages with it and it's not so much about improving your current set of strokes as your ability to return shots that were previously impossible.

So, what's your view on EJ:ing, is there some benefits to it or not? What is the risk with sticking to one set up for to long?

[pingpongrob]

I was never an EJ in the past, and probably cant be called an EJ due to the fact that I have to test equipment for my Job.  But I have to say speedplay that trying out new equipment can help your game, as it can also ruin it.

Lets look at Big Ears - a quality Veteran who can hold his own.  He has led us to believe that EJing is not healthy. Yet he used Roxon for a while, changed to Tenergy 05 cause he thought it was better (better for him), and now has changed to Tenergy 64.  If he had never EJ'ed thn he would have been stuck using Sriver or Mark V.

Now as for your Blocking statement, I think you will find that as your level improves, you will be able to adapt to a new setup quicker and land those shots consistently no matter what you use.

EJing is all about feeling, not point winning. I landed more balls on the Table with Gambler Outlaw, but it lasted a whole 15mins on my blade.

I do agree that once you find a suitable setup, you should stick with it, and fine tune your strokes - until another new rubber comes out promising to be better than its predesesor.

[big ears]

Lets look at Big Ears - a quality Veteran who can hold his own.  He has led us to believe that EJing is not healthy. Yet he used Roxon for a while, changed to Tenergy 05 cause he thought it was better (better for him), and now has changed to Tenergy 64.  If he had never EJ'ed thn he would have been stuck using Sriver or Mark V.

 Not quite correct. I was quite happy using Dawie inspirit, untill the ITTF banned Glue. Of course I was forced to find a replacement because Inspirit was not fast enough. EJ's just change equipment to try to improve, non EJ's change when they have to or are forced to because they are happy with their game and know that they need to be settled with their equipment. The true acid test of whether a player has this affliction or not is to be found in their blade, rubbers can play similar and need to be replaced frequently anyway, Blades on the other hand do not, and two blades of identical spec play differently. A true non EJ will have had the same blade for years, and only changes when forced through reasons such as accidental breakage. EJ's are looking to make up for the areas of weakness in their games by using equipment.

[speedplay]

Rob, about the blocks, I'm not talking about the controlled blocking game where you are in good position and block, this one can easily be learnt with any rubber, I'm talking about those low % shots where you are caught by surprise but yet manages to get your bat to the ball. I'm not there yet with T 05, but getting closer. With the Nittaku Best Anti that I've used for a very long time now, I'm there and manage to get a decent amount of those reflex blocks back on the table. This is the fine tuning that you will never get by changing rubber all the time.

As long as you are in the right position, I think you could adapt to any new rubber pretty quick, but the advantage with staying to one set up is that it increases your chances when you are caught out of position. This, to me, is fine tuning.

So, Biggy, you have changed to 64? Why? How could it possibly be better then 05?

As for changing blades, this have never been an issue of mine. Not sure why, but I found my Joola Cat blade pretty early on and stuck with that as long as I used Super Block. When this was about to be banned and I was forced to change, I changed blade as well, as the main benefit with the Cat was how well it worked with FLP. I changed to Wavestone and have been using it since then, al though I had a 2 month period with Juic Kiso Hinoki blade. Felt really good, but when I tried the Wavestone again, it was like coming home and I have used it ever since.

To be honest, my current set up have actually killed the EJ virus in me and I'm not even tempted to try out new equipment! Feels kind of strange as this used to be a big part of the fun before...

[big ears]

I havent changed to 64. I was at the English closed in march when i asked the Bribar rep to put me a sheet of Tenergy on, he did, and it was not until I got playing with it I realised he had put 64 on instead of 05. I just left it on, there are plusses and minuses, its better for re-looping off the table, but does not feel as crisp as 05 for me and counter looping with a closed bat face near the table is more difficult. I have two sheets of 05 ready to put on when these have worn out, and seeing as I'm only coaching at the moment (its the closed season here) I'm not in a rush.