Influence of Rubber Thickness on Table Tennis Play

Alain Braal Asked 1 week ago

Hello

I always played using a rubber of 1,5 mm thickness (Sriver, the last years). Now my retailer put inadvertently 2,1 mm on the bat. 

I understand that a thicker rubber gives more speed but less control. Is that correct?

Is it a good idea to try it out and when yes what should I pay particular attention to, compared with my usual 1,5 rubber? I am more of a defending player, using often push with backspin, but also attack sometimes, with topspin or smash.

Alois Rosario Answered 1 week ago

Hi Alain,

You're right in your understanding that the thickness of the table tennis rubber can affect the playing characteristics of a bat. Generally, thicker sponges (like the 2.1 mm you've mentioned) tend to provide more speed and a greater capacity for spin. This is because the thicker sponge allows the ball to sink in deeper, creating a longer contact time between the ball and the rubber, which enhances the grip and thereby the spin and speed.

On the other hand, thinner rubbers, such as the 1.5 mm you are accustomed to, offer better control and are often favoured by defensive players. The thinner sponge leads to a firmer and quicker contact with the wood of the blade, which provides more stability and precision but less of the "catapult" effect you get with thicker rubbers.

Given that you've traditionally played with a 1.5 mm rubber, switching to a 2.1 mm will feel different. Here are a few things to pay attention to if you decide to give the thicker rubber a try:

• Control: You might find that the bat feels more "bouncy" or less predictable, especially when blocking or pushing. It might take some time to adjust to the increased speed.
• Spin: You should be able to generate more spin with the thicker rubber. This can be particularly advantageous when you attack with topspin or loop. However, controlling this spin while defending or pushing backspin might require some adjustment.
• Weight: Thicker rubbers are generally heavier.
• Defensive Play: As a defending player, you'll need to adapt your strokes to manage the increased speed and spin. Your usual timing and stroke execution might need tweaking to maintain your defensive consistency.

It could be a good idea to try out the 2.1 mm rubber during practice sessions before deciding whether to switch permanently. Pay particular attention to how it affects your defensive strokes and your ability to switch between defence and attack. If you find that the benefits in offensive play outweigh the drawbacks in control, it might be a worthwhile switch. Otherwise, sticking to what suits your style best, potentially returning to a 1.5 mm thickness, could be the way to go.

Experimenting with equipment is a great way to potentially enhance your game, but always remember that comfort and confidence with your equipment are key.

Best of luck with your testing.