| Introduction: | | | | the ball with a forward action underneath (and |
| We've probably all picked up a table tennis racket or | | | | sideways for side-spin). With these rubbers this is |
| ping pong paddle at some stage in our lives, either in | | | | much easier to do, but will still take a little practice. This |
| the basement, garage, at school or at work. There's | | | | will probably win you quite a few points outright, but |
| always a few over-enthusiastic characters out there | | | | some will come back. When it comes back, it will |
| that play just to win, and make fun of those they beat. | | | | invariably have significant spin coming back, either your |
| Well if you've been on the receiving end of this 'abuse', | | | | own, or spin that your opponent imparts. Hit the next |
| this guide may be just for you. This guide is for those | | | | shot with the long pimple rubber, don't hit it hard or try |
| casual players, that have acquired some basic skills in | | | | to attack it, but try to keep it low as possible but make |
| table tennis, can generate a little spin on the ball, but | | | | sure it's on the table. The long pimple rubber will |
| don't take it seriously enough to play competition at | | | | actually reverse the spin that's coming towards you, |
| clubs. It takes advantage of two very different rubbers | | | | which will produce very unpredictable bounces and |
| that you can put on either side your bat, which very | | | | balls. Chances are high that your opponent will miss the |
| few casual players understand. | | | | ball, or pop it up high so that you can put the next one |
| The Basics: | | | | away, so be ready. If he returns it, continue the rally by |
| The key to making this strategy work is spin and | | | | either spinning the ball with your tacky rubber, or gently |
| deception, with your opponent not knowing what type | | | | returning it with your pimple rubber. |
| of spin is on the ball. This usually results in your | | | | If you find your opponent is good enough to get used |
| opponent missing the ball completely, or hitting it in the | | | | to your spinney serves, and adjust for it, do a similar |
| net or over the table. | | | | looking serve with your long pimple rubber, and enjoy |
| The basic equipment you need for this strategy is a | | | | the results. Your opponent will adjust for spin that's not |
| racket with 2 totally contrasting rubbers on either side, | | | | there, and this will force errors or easy balls to put |
| one a very tacky (sticky) and spinney rubber (such as | | | | away. |
| most Chinese rubbers) and one 'long pimple' rubber. | | | | 2. When you receive: If your opponent uses a lot of |
| The spinny rubber is obviously very good for | | | | spin in his serves, try and return them all with the long |
| generating spin, whereas the long pimple rubber is | | | | pimple rubber. This will return most of his own spin |
| unique in that it returns most your opponent's spin back | | | | back to him, and will get himself into trouble. If he |
| to him. These types of rubbers can be picked up fairly | | | | serves with very little spin, try and return it with your |
| cheap at quite a few online shops, such as One of a | | | | spinney rubber if you can. If he returns this, some spin |
| Kind Trading in Australia for example. A few | | | | will be returned back to you, so you hit the next one |
| recommendations are given at the end of this article. | | | | with your long pimple rubber, and try and force another |
| The blade (the bat without the rubbers) is not very | | | | error. |
| important for this strategy to be successful, as the | | | | Conclusion: |
| rubbers do most of the work. So if you don't already | | | | Now I'm not saying this is going to be really easy, as it |
| have a blade, you can buy a cheap one from the | | | | will take you a little time to learn how to use the |
| same shop, and they'll normally put it together for you | | | | rubbers, and adjust to them. It would be best to have |
| free of charge. | | | | some practice with the bat against some other players |
| Technically you need one red and one black rubber on | | | | to adjust to them, before you embark on your mission |
| either side of the paddle. However this is really only a | | | | of 'destroying the bullies'. Note that attacking with the |
| requirement for competition, so if you only play casually | | | | long pimple rubbers is not recommended, as these |
| this is not necessary. To be totally ruthless and make it | | | | technique as more advanced, but for blocking and |
| even harder for your opponent, you can have the | | | | chopping they are fairly easy to use at any level. |
| same colour rubber on both sides, so that he cannot | | | | This type of racket and strategy IS actually used in |
| judge which one you're hitting with. Because the spin | | | | high-level competition, and are even used by a few of |
| coming off the two different rubber is so different, | | | | the top players in the world. At the higher levels |
| hitting the ball with one side followed by a hit from the | | | | however, it takes a great deal of skill and practice to |
| other side will produce very different results, leaving | | | | be effective, and these simple strategies covered here |
| your opponent totally confused. However most casual | | | | simply won't work. This style of play does add another |
| players don't even look at what side you hit with, so it | | | | exiting aspect to the game, and can be a lot of fun at |
| may not be as great an advantage. | | | | any level. There are numerous different types of |
| Putting it into practice: | | | | rubbers, and blades, all having some different |
| Ok, so you've got your new 'evil' weapon, what | | | | characteristics and requiring some different strategies. |
| strategy do you use to make the most of it? Well | | | | There is a lot more to these types of bats than what's |
| there's two parts to this (1) when you serve (2) when | | | | covered here, and a lot more strategies that can be |
| your receive: | | | | employed. If you've enjoyed this guide, or wish to read |
| 1. When you serve: Put as much backspin and/or | | | | more about other rubbers or strategies, you could visit |
| side-spin on the ball with your tacky rubber by brushing | | | | the author's website or forum for more information. |