Paddle Palace staff Ryan Gibson currently plays with the Hunter Flame blade (flared handle), assembled with red Andro Nuzn 50 (2.0mm) and black Tibhar Grass D.TecS rubber (OX sponge).
PLAYING STYLE: Defensive Blocker
Gibson's Setup: As a close-to-the-table blocker, having a light setup is critical
to my reflexive play style. Hunter Flame, with its Balsa characteristics, enhances
blocking while keeping everything lightweight. Andro Nuzn 50 rubber is very
direct and linear, allowing me to easily place the ball while retaining good feeling
for spin. I continue to choose Tibhar Grass D.techs in OX because it is simply the
best weapon for a disruptive blocking game near the table.
THE BLADE: The Hunter Flame is an extremely light blade with balsa core and Ayous and Koto outer layers. Fantastic lightness and versatility for the allround game.
RED RUBBER: The new Andro NUZN 50 was developed for a precise, ultra-modern topspin game. The remarkably high dynamics of the NUZN 50 are activated by technically clean strokes. The sponge compensates for minor deviations in the point of impact with its moderate hardness. Topspins are given a high and aggressive trajectory by the extremely spinny top sheet, while the sponge contributes consistency. Short spin strokes close to the table, typical of modern table tennis, gain in quality and arc.
NUZN 50 enables dangerous and safe counter-spins as well as smooth transitions from passive to active play. The top sheet and the 50° hard sponge make it possible to reach new performance levels with an unimaginably long lifetime.
BLACK RUBBER:Tibhar Grass D.TecS is a best selling long pips rubber! With the integrated D.TecS effect in Tibhar's classical long pimples rubber, the player will experience new variations to cut the ball and to counter the opponent’s destabilizing strokes. Thanks to the integrated tension in the pimples and the sponge, the pimples get softer, which enables the player to cut the ball in a sensational way. However, because of the softness of the rubber, the D.TecS effect provides amazing control plus enough speed to destabilize the opponent with nervous aggressive shots during disturbing attacks at the table.