Are long pimples and defenders necessary

Just played one at the club tonight. He had anti spin on red and short pips on black. It helps me to be patient, not a patient person generally. I hit top spin loop, then have to hit a push the next shot. It gets crazy when I forget what I sent over and miss it badly the next shot. It is a good challenge, good practice, and it helps me learn patience...ahhhh, felt good to finally get him in the fifth. :D

At the olympics last summer I saw a lot of matches but Joo's were by far the most entertaining.  So yes, I think there should be more modern defenders.

One cannot simply ban some style of play in a sports just because they are difficult to beat or are boring to watch. This type of idea should not even be entertained. Playing against defenders or choppers alike is a true test of the attacking skills one has mastered to reach the level of table tennis he or she plays. Also, as some of the earlier comments point out, it improves a player's patience.

If this line of thought is legitimate, then ITTF should ban the Chinese from playing altogether as they don't seem to lose in almost all pro tournaments. But its not. Period.

I hate playing defenders, but I love watching them play. The sport would be boring without multiple styles of play, so they are definitely necessary.

100 per cent defenders have a place in the game with long pips or whatever.

the only people who want them banned are attackers who cant play against defence' perhaps the question should be asked should attackers with super fast rubbers be banned surley constant third or fith ball kills are much more boring to watch than an intriguing rally between a good defender and attacker 

I've come across a number of players who want "junk rubbers" banned.  This attitude often stems from two misunderstanding.

1) they think junk rubbers are unpredictable

2) they think anyone can slap on junk rubber and start winning easily without any effort or talent

First of all, as is explained on pingskills, LPs (and other non-regular rubbers) are very predictable if you understand them.

Second of all, they are actually not easy to use and take a lot of effort and training.  I've used LP for 9 months and still feel very uncertain about my technique.  It's true that against weak players who are intimidated by LPs, you can win "cheaply", but as soon as you play against a stronger player who understand LP, you have to play twice as hard and twice as smart to have a chance.

In terms of watching table tennis at the world class level, it's great and entertaining to have as many different styles and tactics as possible. 

I personally HATE defenders (from a player's perspective) because I always lose to them. However, I definitely would not want defenders to go as it would be a terrible and tragic loss the the game and also because even though I always lose, the game is always entertaining to both em and the spectators. And also if you do go, the ITTF would have many boycotts and complaints from people who all of a sudden lost their career

In the hands of a skilled player I realy like defenders! It also ads variety to the beautiful game of table tennis!

However, I somewhat dispise players with zero skill what so ever but get away with it because of there material not because they train very hard!

But my opponent will never know how I feel about there material.

(NB: I play with regular inverted rubber same on FH/BH - with clear ambition to develop attacking style on BH & FH)

Nevertheless,  I think it's great with pimples and other styles of play.  They add another dimension to the game.  Our "club coach" uses pimples on one side and is amongst the top ranked players in Switzerland.  He has an absolutely astonishing ball feel and he actually flips the racket during play (and as he says, only the really fast players can manage the complexity).  It's a phenomenal mental challenge because you've got to see what he's doing, register that, then adapt your play to it.  If you can play such a player, you will progress rapidly because you speed up your mental reflexes and become more adaptable to any style of play.

Playing pimples was one of the first videos i saw on pingskills and i regularly play an opponent with pimples with increased success thanks to the "reverse spin" rule.  Like i say....i see it as a true "brain tester" and a differernt challenge all together.

At the club level, I think many people find that junk rubbers suit their personalities. They love to frustrate!

You can probably guess how well I play against them.