How to choose an inverted rubber-GUIDE

[FONT=&quot]HOW TO CHOOSE INVERTED RUBBER[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)]
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BASICS
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[FONT=&quot]Rubber thickness(sponge)=The usual rubber thicknesses are anywhere from 1.8-2.2. Thicker sponge will be easier to produce more spin and have more power. Thinner sponge will allow you to boost your sponge more (Scroll Down). The total thickness for the rubber + sponge is 4.0mm.


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[FONT=&quot]Rubber hardness(sponge)=A lower number will tend to provide more spin at lower speeds (including serves) and a higher number will tend to provide more spin at higher speeds. Players who tend to play a 'Chinese' style (straighter elbow when looping) will find a higher number to be better. On the contrary, players who tend to play a 'European' style (bent elbow when looping) will find a lower number to be better. Also, higher rated players will tend to enjoy a higher number than beginners
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Types of inverted rubber
Tenser/European=Tenser/European rubber is very popular in western countries, mainly because it is easy to use and does not require as good a technique as Chinese rubber. It is a soft and springy rubber, with a high throw angle and a non-tacky, grippy topsheet. It is best suited for backhand, but some also utilize it for the forehand. Notable brands include: Butterfly, Yasaka, Xiom, Tihbar, Joola, Stiga, Donic, Andro
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Chinese=Chinese rubber is the most popular in China but has become prominent in the western countries. The sponge is much harder, and the topsheet is tacky. It is used almost exclusively on the forehand side, but high-level players may use it on the backhand side. If you have a well-developed forehand technique and can hit the ball hard, you can maximize your forehand potential with this rubber type. It is also often boosted. Notable brands include: DHS, 729, Yinhe,
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Other

Glue=Glue is what you use to adhere the rubber onto the blade. Modern glue is VOC-free and non toxic. It is also water based. Notable brands include: Butterfly, DHS, Revolution no.3, Donic, Joola, Nittaku, Stiga,

Booster=Boosting is very popular with both amateur players and pros. It is the practice of putting chemical substances on the sponge. The effect of this treatment is that the sponge is more elastc, bouncy and it is expanded. The effect lasts from a couple weeks to the lifetime of the rubber. Notable brands include: Falco Tempo, Revolution no.3

Speed glue=Speed glue is a glue that was very popular during the 1990s and the 2000s, but it has since been banned by the ittf. It contains many chemicals and carcinogens, and can be very harmful to your health. It has the same effects as the booster, but the effects only last a couple hours. Try to avoid speed glue. Notable brands include: Haifu, DHS, Butterfly

Where to buy rubber: Buy rubber from your local club or from authorized sites such as tabletennis11, megaspin and butterflyonline. Avoid sites such as ebay or amazon, as they are unauthorized and the products sold there could be counterfeit. Chinese rubber selling sites such as prott, princett and ttnpp are known as reputable, but they are unauthorized, and therefore a risk to purchase from. Don't purchase a rubber if the price is alarmingly low.

Conclusion:Choose a rubber that suits your own needs. Don't choose a rubber just because your favourite favourite player uses it, but rather choose one that fits your level and that has a feel that you like.



Good luck,
Ivan
 
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