Help with my choice of backhand rubber

Tim Sallis Asked 11 years ago

My backhand has always been a defensive tool and I would like to be able to be more aggressive with it, not necessarily win points but at least to set up my forehand loop. At present I seem to get drawn into long and tedious pushing rallies because all I can do presently with any consistency on the backhand side is push.

I presently play a reverse rubber on both wings and am contemplating moving to a pimples-out rubber but I can not find any valuable information that will help me assess which sort would best suit my game.... or if in fact I should stay with reverse rubber..... OX or sponge?

I am an average club player and due to other commitments have little time to practice, so in many respects I suppose I am looking for a 'quick-fix' solution to make my back-hand more of a weapon.

I did try LP a couple of years ago but found them very hard to control and was soon found out with my opponents serving fast into my LP and keeping me pinned there until I invariably pushed the ball into the net or off the end of the table....

Any help is much appreciated.

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Tim,

I don't think short pimples is the answer.  It will limit your ability to attack rather than increase it.  I think the solution is to develop a simple backhand topspin.  As you say it doesn't have to be very strong.  I think a simple lifting topspin with a short swing that will then allow the rally to become more open and allow you to attack.

Think about developing a short brushing action on the backhand topspin.  Keep it short to eliminate too many things being able to go wrong.