Equipment Guidance with MLTT Athlete & Paddle Palace Sponsored Coach Jiwei Xia

Last weekend, Micro Motion Bay Area hosted a special event featuring Jiwei Xia, a Paddle Palace–sponsored coach and active Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) athlete. Jiwei joined us onsite to provide a full day of equipment testing, personalized recommendations, and technical guidance for our players.

To ensure every participant could truly experience the differences between blades and rubbers, Jiwei brought over 20 brand-new rackets, freshly assembled and carefully matched. Players were able to test each setup on the spot, while Jiwei observed their strokes, playing styles, and technical habits to offer tailored recommendations.

     During the event, we also conducted a short interview with Jiwei to discuss several common questions players often have about equipment selection.

1. With so many table tennis equipment brands on the market, are the differences significant?

Jiwei :In terms of quality control, the major brands today all meet a high

standard.But when it comes to playing style and feel, absolutely—every rubber has its own personality. That’s exactly why I brought so many combinations today: to let players feel the differences themselves.

2. With so many blades and rubbers available, how should players choose the right equipment?

Jiwei :Start by understanding your preferences, playing style, and level.

Many amateur players are unsure about these elements. As a result, they often prefer to use whatever professional athletes are using. Their logic is: “If a top athlete uses it, and my budget is limited, choosing the same setup can’t go wrong.”

But this is a common misunderstanding.

     Professional athletes have fully developed power, mature technique, and stable strokes. They can completely activate the performance of their equipment—what we often call “hitting through the rubber.” Only after that do they select gear based on their personal style.

     Most recreational players, however, do not yet generate the same level of power or consistency. As a result, professional-level setups often cannot be utilized properly, and sometimes even hinder progress in both training and competition.

3. So how can players actually find the equipment that suits them?

Jiwei:Try different things—but not blindly.

First, understand the fundamentals: blade hardness, rubber hardness, tacky vs. grippy surfaces, and how these relate to your style.Choose a general direction first, then make small adjustments.

     Equipment is not meant to stay the same forever. As your level increases, your equipment needs will evolve as well.That’s why I brought so many rackets today—to give players a structured way to explore what truly works for them.

Many players at the event successfully found setups that matched their current stage and switched to “new weapons” for the upcoming US Open.

4. Can you introduce one racket that impressed you the most during this event?

Jiwei :All the rackets today were carefully curated, including the Nittaku GYO-EN used by WTT U11 Champion William Jin, and a wide selection of classic rubbers such as the K3 and Donic Bluestar series.

     But the one that stood out to me the most was the Nittaku Hino Blade 7.22.

This blade has a unique 11-ply construction, paired with Hurricane on the forehand and Nittaku S1 on the backhand. Based on its structure, I initially expected it to be quite stiff—something that only higher-level players could control effectively.

     However, once I started hitting with it, the results were surprising:excellent control, deep ball hold, strong spin generation, and a stable, friendly feel overall.

During the testing session, one player in particular, Danica, immediately connected with this racket. After just a few rounds of forehand looping and backhand control drills, she decisively chose it as her new main racket for the upcoming US Open.

This equipment guidance event was far more than a simple demo session—it was a meaningful opportunity for players to understand the logic behind equipment selection and how it relates to their technique and development.

Through Jiwei’s professional explanations and hands-on testing process, many players realized:

     The best equipment is not the most expensive or the one professionals use—it is the setup that allows you to perform consistently and efficiently at your current stage.

     We extend our sincere gratitude to Coach Jiwei Xia for his time, expertise, and dedication, as well as to all players and families who participated. Your engagement made this event valuable and impactful.

With the US Open approaching, many athletes are entering the key preparation phase. We hope this session helps every player find better feel, better confidence, and better performance in both training and competition.

     Micro Motion will continue to host more events focused on equipment, training, fitness, and tactical understanding—supporting the growth of the Bay Area table tennis community.

     We look forward to seeing everyone again at our next event.