Blocking: Soft or hard sponge better?

[Gozo Aruna]

My personal experience is soft rubber is better for blocking.

Someone in this forum mention hard sponge is better for blocking.

Which is the better choice?

I am confuse. Help pls.

 

[Migzkulit]

Two types of blocks and varying levels of spin make this question not have a single answer.
A harder rubber blocks heavier topspin balls better compared to a soft rubber.
A softer rubber blocks softer topspin balls with more pace compared to hard rubber.

 

[Gozo Aruna]

Two types of blocks and varying levels of spin make this question not have a single answer.
A harder rubber blocks heavier topspin balls better compared to a soft rubber.
A softer rubber blocks softer topspin balls with more pace compared to hard rubber.

this question relates back to my observation earlier btw Aruna vs FZD. Aruna who uses Gewo 53 degree hardness on his BH ( same as his FH ) was blocking many balls out of play.

Would a softer rubber benefit him more or otherwise? Granted FZD is a hard hitter himself and is not a pussy himself.

 

[SFF_lib]

Hard sponge with tacky topsheet for me.

I can block and return short or long. Chop is also easier.

 

[longle]

I think it's about the balance, hard sponge goes well with soft outer blade and vice versa. My blade is hard so I'd prefer medium-hard rubbers on both sides - on BH almost of my rubbers are 47.5

 

[PaddyPolar]

I dont really think its to do eith the hardness of the sponge that much, just to do with its catapult effect. The less it has, the better.

However, in my experience blocking with a tacky/semi-tacky rubber ( eg. Dignics 09c) provides more control amd neutralizes spin a bit more. This could be subjective though, different people feel different things.

 

[brokenball]

I dont really think its to do eith the hardness of the sponge that much, just to do with its catapult effect. The less it has, the better.

It is easier to control. The new frictionless anti rubbers usually have hard top sheet to reduce friction but relatively dead sponges. It doesn't really matter if the sponge is hard or soft it just needs to be dead.

However, in my experience blocking with a tacky/semi-tacky rubber ( eg. Dignics 09c) provides more control amd neutralizes spin a bit more. This could be subjective though, different people feel different things.

Overall, I think it is more of a preference and how you use the rubber. I don't like fast rubbers on my BH. Playing with LP 0X is sometimes a pain because it is hard to block back fast spinny loops when there is no sponge to absorb energy. I like to block short and at angles. I try to use a soft grip to absorb energy.