Blade or rubber
Table Tennis Strokes and Technique
Last updated 1 year ago
Ardak . Asked 1 year ago
Hi, coach!
Many years ago, when I started to play TT, people around me were saying that "topspin must be performed by rubber". But until recent days, I do topspin with the blade, not just with rubber. Nowadays I see some player who does topspin only with rubber, id est they minimize blade contact. And their topspin look very nice.
Is there any tendency that blade contact must be minimized during topspin?
PS: sorry if I ask strange question
Best wishes, Ardak
Alois Rosario Answered 1 year ago
Hi Ardak,
You can use different levels of contact with the blade and the rubber with your topspin.
Usually when you use more blade, that is, the ball sinks into the wood more on contact, then the result will be a faster topspin. If you use a more brushing contact with the rubber it will be a slower spin type topspin. Of course you can manipulate this in different ways as well but you don't need to complicate things too much.
Thoughts on this question
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Ardak . Posted 1 year ago
I understand. Thank you, coach!
D K Posted 1 year ago
There is one thing I would like to mention: if the ball really touches the blade through the rubber and sponge,it is a "bottom-out". For an inverted rubber it is an unwanted thing,and means that this rubber is not good for offensive play.
Ardak . Posted 1 year ago
Yes, such rubbers are rubbish. Thank you, D K !
D K Posted 1 year ago
They do not have to be neccessarily rubbish,many defensive rubbers have this effect
D K Posted 1 year ago
To be more precise,if a bottom-out effect happens,then that means that the sponge is too thin,or too soft.
With such rubbers,you have to reduce speed to get spin and vice versa.
These rubbers often fall into defensive category,if they are professional quality.