Ping Pong Rubbers
Ping Pong Rubber, What Can it Do for You?
Most amateur ping pong players do not take the time to compare ping pong rubbers and consider the impact that they have on their style of play. In fact, most amateurs do not even consider their style of play. More serious players know that the style of rubber on their paddle can make a big difference in their game.
In table tennis there a variety of types of rubber that can be applied to your paddle. The different types of rubber sheets are: inverted, inverted Chinese, short pimples, long pimples and anti-spin. Each of these rubbers has different properties that lend themselves to different playing styles.
Inverted is the most popular ping pong rubber, and is the best beginner ping pong rubber. The surface of inverted rubber is smooth, with the pimpled side facing inwards toward the blade. Using inverted rubber the player is able to generate high levels of spin and speed. Spin is generated by the action of the top sheet and by the ball sinking into the sponge, allowing a greater surface area to contact the ball.
Inverted rubber lends itself to an all around game. Beginners typically start with this rubber because it is the most popular and it allows them to grow into the sport.
Inverted Chinese rubber is tackier and has a dense firm sponge; the tackiness of the topcoat of rubber is responsible for producing spin in the inverted Chinese rubber. The result is usually a far better short game and potential offensive capabilities than normal inverted, but also a less consistent defensive and/or counter play.
Short pimples-out rubbers are usually used by close-to-the-table hitters. They do not generate as much spin as inverted rubbers, but also make the user less susceptible to the opponent's spin. Speed generated from a short pip rubber is generally greater than that of an inverted with the same sponge. Depending on the thickness of the sponge it is also possible to play a chopping game with short pimples by varying the spin of the return. Whilst blocking and attacking a "dead ball" effect is often noticed.
Long pimples-out rubbers carry relatively long and soft pips. They do not have the ability to generate any real spin of their own, but feed off of the opponent's spin instead. This allows the user to confuse the opponent and upset their rhythm. Long pips rely on the opponent's oncoming spin, as they tend to "continue" the opponent's spin, by bending upon impact, rather than reversing or changing the spin, like inverted rubbers.
Long pips are usually used by close-to-the-table blockers, or choppers, but, in some cases, they can be used away from the table for long distance chops. They are usually only used on the backhand side, as they offer very limited attacking capabilities. Depending on the grip of the sides of the pimples and the thickness of the sponge it is also possible to play an aggressive game with long pips, although without much spin capability.
Anti-spin rubbers may look similar to the inverted ones, but their surfaces are very slick and frictionless. Like long pimples, they cannot generate much spin. Anti-spin is also not very susceptible to the opponents' oncoming spin, due to the low coefficient of friction of the rubber's surface, as well as the incredibly soft sponge, which is designed to cushion or absorb the momentum of the ball upon impact. This is also used to confuse the opponent, but is not widely used at the international level.
Whatever level of table tennis you play it is important to pick the ping pong rubber that fits your style of play. For instance if you are a counter puncher you should consider a rubber that lends itself to short chopping motions like short or long pips.
In any case, as you become a more advanced player you will want to at least try each style of rubber and see what it can do for you. By trying to rubber you will also learn what it does for your opponents and you will be that much more prepared to win the match.
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