Mastering The Spin Game: Soft Sponged And Tacky Rubbers

It’s All About The Spin

The spin in table tennis makes it a very complex sport and, due to this, table tennis players are constantly looking for the best equipment to help with spin production. Additionally, the new plastic ball has caused players to seek new generation equipment to help increase the poly balls rotations.

Creating the spin primarily relies on contact or dwell time. You can produce more spin by making the ball stay on your rubber surface for longer.

Soft Sponged Vs. Tacky Rubbers

There are two specific types of rubber that can help maximise dwell time: soft sponged rubbers and tacky rubbers.

Soft Sponged Rubbers

European players have favoured soft sponged rubbers for generations, due to their ability to absorb incoming ball speed and produce high levels of spin. The softer sponge also extends the amount of contact time because it lets the ball sink into the rubber more.

Soft rubbers typically produce a higher amount of ball rotation and ball arc whilst also assisting with controlling touch plays, short game and blocking with variation. These rubbers are also great for consistent levels of attack and spin production.

The Yasaka Rakza 7 Soft is one of the most popular soft spinning rubbers of this era. It has a solid reputation for balanced control and high spin production. Another popular soft rubber is the Donic Acuda S2, which supports spin production with a strong speed balance. 

Tacky Rubbers

Chinese style rubbers are often more tacky and are combined with firmer sponges. Tacky rubbers, such as the DHS Hurricane 3, are the preference of Chinese National Team since they allow for exceedingly high spin on offense and service. The combination of tacky rubbers, solid sponges and low throw angles create shocking 3^rd ball attacks and lower trajectories that are more direct. 

Tacky rubbers, like the name describes, often have a sticky feeling and focus on maximising the amount of grip on the rubber tops surface. Latest generation rubbers, like Xiom Omega V Pro, utilise tacky top sheets with sponges that are less dense to create a more forgiving sponge with a tacky surface. 

So, Which One Is Best For The Spin Game?

When it comes to deciding which type would better suit a spin game, you have to consider your own personal preference. Both types of rubber produce high amounts of spin and maximise dwell time, though they offer a different feeling and style.

The only major differences are the physical characteristics and the processes used to achieve the results. Therefore, you have to decide: do you like the feeling of the ball sticking to the top sheet? Or do you prefer the feeling of it sinking into the rubber?

The choice is yours to make!