Difference between sticky rubbers and non-sticky rubbers

This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Member
Sep 2022
310
299
734
In table tennis, players often discuss the differences between sticky and non-sticky rubbers, with some mistakenly assuming that non-sticky rubbers lack friction altogether. However, sticky rubbers and non-sticky rubbers each have unique characteristics and advantages. Sticky rubbers, with their tacky surface and hard sponges, offer control and spin, while non-sticky rubbers paired with softer “cake” sponges excel in speed and borrowed power. Let’s dive into the unique traits and practical applications of each.
Gear Hyper Main 1.jpg

Historical Background: Cold War Paths in Rubber Development
The evolution of table tennis rubbers dates back to the 1960s during the Cold War. Countries on opposite sides of the divide pursued contrasting rubber development paths. In China, a state-backed initiative focused on sticky rubber with hard sponges, suited to players who relied on control and high-spin tactics. Meanwhile, Europe and Japan created a separate trajectory with non-sticky rubber paired with soft cake sponge, optimizing it for players who preferred high speed and the ability to borrow spin.


Sticky Rubber: A Powerhouse for Spin and Control
In the table tennis world, sticky rubber is favored for its ability to generate exceptional spin. The tacky surface creates strong friction with the ball, making it easier to achieve spin-heavy techniques in serves, loops, and topspin shots, which challenges opponents in both speed and control.

Paired with Hard Sponge: Sticky rubbers typically come with high-density, hard sponges. These sponges are less prone to deformation, providing quicker rebound and allowing players to complete their shots in less time. This pairing boosts ball speed and reaction time, making it challenging for opponents to return shots effectively.

Creating Spin: Sticky rubber’s tacky surface allows for greater friction, which helps players control the ball’s arc and direction, giving them flexibility in both offense and defense. Sticky rubber is particularly effective for forehand techniques, giving players an edge in generating spin.

Ideal Scenarios: With its strong spin capability, sticky rubber is ideal for forehand techniques, especially serves and loop shots. Leveraging the tackiness allows players to produce more spin and force opponents into misjudgments. Is it a must-have for forehand players? Some may argue, but its spin advantage is undeniably appealing for many.
Target_National_Banner.jpg

Non-Sticky Rubber: Speed and Borrowed Power
In contrast, non-sticky rubber has a dry, grippy surface that lacks the adhesive quality of tacky rubbers but is still a mainstay in the table tennis world, especially for players who value speed and the ability to borrow spin.

Soft Cake Sponge Pairing: Non-sticky rubbers are often paired with soft cake sponges. The sponge’s high elasticity creates a “wrap-around” effect with the ball, helping players control the trajectory and speed at impact.

Borrowed Power: Non-sticky rubber with soft sponge enables players to “borrow” power. In backhand techniques, players can quickly increase speed and ball quality with minimal force and a flick of the wrist, creating breakthrough shots.

Application Scenarios: Non-sticky rubber is excellent for backhand play. With slight movements, players can use the rubber’s elasticity to execute breakthrough shots that enhance speed and power. But is non-sticky rubber the ultimate backhand choice? Many experienced backhand players would say yes, but others believe sticky rubber can offer a similar edge.

Hybrid Innovations in a Global Table Tennis Era
In today’s era of blending global table tennis techniques, the traditional “sticky rubber + hard sponge” or “non-sticky rubber + cake sponge” pairings are no longer the only option. And sticky and non stiky top sheets are not the only options. In order to cater to players' more diverse choices, many brands have launched half-stiky top sheets( Like Gear Hyper).

Many brands are also blending these styles to create hybrid combinations. For instance, SANWEI’s New Target National combines a sticky surface with a cake sponge, while the upcoming Target 3rd Edition will feature a half-sticky surface paired with a hard sponge to meet players’ specific needs.
00056.png

The variety raises an interesting debate: Is the pure, single-style rubber a thing of the past? Or is hybrid rubber the future? While players are divided, hybridization seems to be a growing trend in modern table tennis equipment.

Sponge Hardness and Performance
The hardness of a rubber’s sponge plays a crucial role in paddle performance. The right level of hardness and elasticity can influence shot quality and consistency, making it essential for players to choose rubber that suits their style.

Final Thoughts: What’s Your Take?
In summary, sticky and non-sticky rubbers each offer distinct advantages and applications. Hard-sponged sticky rubber is well-suited for forehand techniques, providing higher spin, while soft-cake-sponged non-sticky rubber is ideal for the backhand, allowing players to generate speed and borrow spin. As table tennis technology evolves, the line between sticky and non-sticky is starting to blur. Do you think sticky rubber will eventually be replaced by hybrids? Or will both rubber types continue to have dedicated roles? Players remain divided, but only by trying out the options on the court can each player find their true fit.
 
says Master blocker
says Master blocker
Member
Mar 2015
365
200
667
Read 1 reviews
First of all, most players that use Chinese sticky rubbers boost them, in order to make the sponge softer.
Second, Chinese rubbers produce more spin than European rubbers, only if you have impeccable technique and you rotate your whole body in order to make the shot.
If you are out of position or you don't put your body in the shot, they generate much weaker shots with less power and spin than any European rubber.
Hybrids stand in the middle of those two categories. They are not as fast as European rubbers but are faster than Chinese.
I can't really understand the whole hype with veterans and Chinese rubbers. Do they really believe that they have the technique of Ma Long or FZD?
 
says Making a beautiful shot is most important; winning is...
says Making a beautiful shot is most important; winning is...
Well-Known Member
Mar 2021
3,642
4,029
8,870
I am wondering... How come rubbers are generally decreasing in stickiness?

Cheers
L-zr
L-zr,

Let me hazard a guess. If rubber is super tacky, the tackiness will not last and it may create an impression on the user, the rubber is of poor quality, hence bad image.

Manufacturer knows players who uses tacky will boost anyway and create the tackiness themselves, so why bother?

This is my guess. What do you think?
 
says Making a beautiful shot is most important; winning is...
says Making a beautiful shot is most important; winning is...
Well-Known Member
Mar 2021
3,642
4,029
8,870
In table tennis, players often discuss the differences between sticky and non-sticky rubbers, with some mistakenly assuming that non-sticky rubbers lack friction altogether. However, sticky rubbers and non-sticky rubbers each have unique characteristics and advantages. Sticky rubbers, with their tacky surface and hard sponges, offer control and spin, while non-sticky rubbers paired with softer “cake” sponges excel in speed and borrowed power. Let’s dive into the unique traits and practical applications of each.
View attachment 32822
Historical Background: Cold War Paths in Rubber Development
The evolution of table tennis rubbers dates back to the 1960s during the Cold War. Countries on opposite sides of the divide pursued contrasting rubber development paths. In China, a state-backed initiative focused on sticky rubber with hard sponges, suited to players who relied on control and high-spin tactics. Meanwhile, Europe and Japan created a separate trajectory with non-sticky rubber paired with soft cake sponge, optimizing it for players who preferred high speed and the ability to borrow spin.


Sticky Rubber: A Powerhouse for Spin and Control
In the table tennis world, sticky rubber is favored for its ability to generate exceptional spin. The tacky surface creates strong friction with the ball, making it easier to achieve spin-heavy techniques in serves, loops, and topspin shots, which challenges opponents in both speed and control.

Paired with Hard Sponge: Sticky rubbers typically come with high-density, hard sponges. These sponges are less prone to deformation, providing quicker rebound and allowing players to complete their shots in less time. This pairing boosts ball speed and reaction time, making it challenging for opponents to return shots effectively.

Creating Spin: Sticky rubber’s tacky surface allows for greater friction, which helps players control the ball’s arc and direction, giving them flexibility in both offense and defense. Sticky rubber is particularly effective for forehand techniques, giving players an edge in generating spin.

Ideal Scenarios: With its strong spin capability, sticky rubber is ideal for forehand techniques, especially serves and loop shots. Leveraging the tackiness allows players to produce more spin and force opponents into misjudgments. Is it a must-have for forehand players? Some may argue, but its spin advantage is undeniably appealing for many.
View attachment 32823
Non-Sticky Rubber: Speed and Borrowed Power
In contrast, non-sticky rubber has a dry, grippy surface that lacks the adhesive quality of tacky rubbers but is still a mainstay in the table tennis world, especially for players who value speed and the ability to borrow spin.

Soft Cake Sponge Pairing: Non-sticky rubbers are often paired with soft cake sponges. The sponge’s high elasticity creates a “wrap-around” effect with the ball, helping players control the trajectory and speed at impact.

Borrowed Power: Non-sticky rubber with soft sponge enables players to “borrow” power. In backhand techniques, players can quickly increase speed and ball quality with minimal force and a flick of the wrist, creating breakthrough shots.

Application Scenarios: Non-sticky rubber is excellent for backhand play. With slight movements, players can use the rubber’s elasticity to execute breakthrough shots that enhance speed and power. But is non-sticky rubber the ultimate backhand choice? Many experienced backhand players would say yes, but others believe sticky rubber can offer a similar edge.

Hybrid Innovations in a Global Table Tennis Era
In today’s era of blending global table tennis techniques, the traditional “sticky rubber + hard sponge” or “non-sticky rubber + cake sponge” pairings are no longer the only option. And sticky and non stiky top sheets are not the only options. In order to cater to players' more diverse choices, many brands have launched half-stiky top sheets( Like Gear Hyper).

Many brands are also blending these styles to create hybrid combinations. For instance, SANWEI’s New Target National combines a sticky surface with a cake sponge, while the upcoming Target 3rd Edition will feature a half-sticky surface paired with a hard sponge to meet players’ specific needs.
View attachment 32825
The variety raises an interesting debate: Is the pure, single-style rubber a thing of the past? Or is hybrid rubber the future? While players are divided, hybridization seems to be a growing trend in modern table tennis equipment.

Sponge Hardness and Performance
The hardness of a rubber’s sponge plays a crucial role in paddle performance. The right level of hardness and elasticity can influence shot quality and consistency, making it essential for players to choose rubber that suits their style.

Final Thoughts: What’s Your Take?
In summary, sticky and non-sticky rubbers each offer distinct advantages and applications. Hard-sponged sticky rubber is well-suited for forehand techniques, providing higher spin, while soft-cake-sponged non-sticky rubber is ideal for the backhand, allowing players to generate speed and borrow spin. As table tennis technology evolves, the line between sticky and non-sticky is starting to blur. Do you think sticky rubber will eventually be replaced by hybrids? Or will both rubber types continue to have dedicated roles? Players remain divided, but only by trying out the options on the court can each player find their true fit.
Andrea,

Great job, this is the type of content players wants from manufacturer. Luv'it!

A question: I have yet to see soft cake sponge with tacky topsheet. Why doesn't the manufacturer produce such variant? What is the drawback?

This question coming from a soft sponge ESN / JPN rubber user.
 
  • Like
Reactions: driversbeat
This user has no status.
L-zr,

Let me hazard a guess. If rubber is super tacky, the tackiness will not last and it may create an impression on the user, the rubber is of poor quality, hence bad image.

Manufacturer knows players who uses tacky will boost anyway and create the tackiness themselves, so why bother?

This is my guess. What do you think?
I don't know but,
Boosting doesn't make a rubber tackier... The tackiness of the old rubbers lasted longer as well. It deteriorates semi linear.

I have seen servals times top players wipe their topsheets with a towel like to make the rubber less sticky. So maybe to cater to them. Or it may be so that they were using some chemicals that now is banned. Doubt that China would care about this. Maybe they are making huge batches and what we are getting here now is one that turned out this way.

Cheers
L-zr
 
  • Like
Reactions: haggisv

K.K

This user has no status.

K.K

This user has no status.
Member
Aug 2024
205
185
554
really good article!
some things i wanna add to it from my own experience:
tacky and hard rubber are more precise and follow your stroke better. the more spin you put in, the higher the ball fly out and the flatter you hit the more direct the ball flies. so the window of ball curve and manipulation becomes greater, but so comes the margin for error. if your stroke is not correct the ball can either fly out or dump in the net. the opposite for soft grippy rubbers. i think that is the reason why some people say you should learn to play with tacky rubber on forehand to develop the right stroke, these rubber will punish you for every wrongdoing. but on the other hand the frustration can be really high and if you don't get a lot of balls on the table you will have a hard time to develop the right footwork and framework for the game. i think that is the reason why most coaches i know hate this philosophy and rather give you soft rubbers as an beginner. at the end the game is about who puts more balls on the table.

the problem with soft grippy rubbers is that they are quite bouncy and there you have a hard time with serve and receive and keep the ball short and this is for me where the hybrids come in handy. you have the same ease in topspinplay like a grippy rubber but a less bouncy feel in serve and receive.
 

K.K

This user has no status.

K.K

This user has no status.
Member
Aug 2024
205
185
554
Andrea,

Great job, this is the type of content players wants from manufacturer. Luv'it!

A question: I have yet to see soft cake sponge with tacky topsheet. Why doesn't the manufacturer produce such variant? What is the drawback?

This question coming from a soft sponge ESN / JPN rubber user.
once i tried the hurricane 8-80 in the really soft version and i think it just get's to slow with the tackiness. you need to put some power in to overcome the tack, but if the sponge is soft, then it doesn't support the power enough like a hard dense sponge would. also the ball hold was way to much too... you always had this big delay and the ball just not wanted to fly out. maybe for some strategys this can work, or you have a super hard and fast blade, but for most players it is better to have a mild stickiness with a soft sponge to get more energy
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Active Member
Nov 2019
652
554
2,274
Read 1 reviews
First of all, most players that use Chinese sticky rubbers boost them, in order to make the sponge softer.
Second, Chinese rubbers produce more spin than European rubbers, only if you have impeccable technique and you rotate your whole body in order to make the shot.
If you are out of position or you don't put your body in the shot, they generate much weaker shots with less power and spin than any European rubber.
Hybrids stand in the middle of those two categories. They are not as fast as European rubbers but are faster than Chinese.
I can't really understand the whole hype with veterans and Chinese rubbers. Do they really believe that they have the technique of Ma Long or FZD?

Choice of rubbers is always a compromise.
Hard, tacky rubbers excel when it comes to the most important points even in tight situations: they help to keep serves short and spinny, they help to keep returns short and spinny, open ups are easier (less speed therefore easier to control), counter looping is a breeze
As Heming Hu and others point out: the average rally length is around 4 strokes. E.g. https://www.newgy.com/blogs/news/table-tennis-rally-statistics-samson-dubina
On average:
- 12% of serves are not returned
- 18% of points are won on the 2nd ball
- 26% of points are won on the 3rd ball
- 13% of points are won on the 4th ball
- 11% of points are won on the 5th ball
- 6% of points are won on the 6th ball
- 4% of points are won on the 7th ball
- 10% of points are won after the 7th ball

The longer the rally the higher the probability for being out of position (and where European rubbers might have an edge) but this is not the majority of all rallies.
 
  • Like
Reactions: haggisv
says Master blocker
says Master blocker
Member
Mar 2015
365
200
667
Read 1 reviews
Choice of rubbers is always a compromise.
Hard, tacky rubbers excel when it comes to the most important points even in tight situations: they help to keep serves short and spinny, they help to keep returns short and spinny, open ups are easier (less speed therefore easier to control), counter looping is a breeze
As Heming Hu and others point out: the average rally length is around 4 strokes. E.g. https://www.newgy.com/blogs/news/table-tennis-rally-statistics-samson-dubina


The longer the rally the higher the probability for being out of position (and where European rubbers might have an edge) but this is not the majority of all rallies.
Although I haven't used Chinese rubbers, I don't think that serves are spinier than ESN rubber if you are not an absolute expert in serving, with very large serve stroke.
I'm saying that because I play frequently with a veteran that uses H3 on his FH and his serves are always without spin because his serving technique is not a professional one.
For the average nonprofessional player, I have the feeling that ESN rubbers are better for serving.

I agree that Chinese rubbers are far better than ESN for returns and short game, as their spin insensitivity gives an advantage even in cases where you misinterpret the incoming spin of the opponent's serve. Chinese rubbers also excel in counter looping.

The link that you've posted provides very interesting statistics and give you an idea as where to focus your game.
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Member
Oct 2020
236
94
404
Choice of rubbers is always a compromise.
Hard, tacky rubbers excel when it comes to the most important points even in tight situations: they help to keep serves short and spinny, they help to keep returns short and spinny, open ups are easier (less speed therefore easier to control), counter looping is a breeze
As Heming Hu and others point out: the average rally length is around 4 strokes. E.g. https://www.newgy.com/blogs/news/table-tennis-rally-statistics-samson-dubina


The longer the rally the higher the probability for being out of position (and where European rubbers might have an edge) but this is not the majority of all rallies.
What is the difference between serve not returned and 2nd Ball?
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Member
Nov 2011
447
309
786
I used to hate tacky slow rubber. But over time I've come to appreciate the advantages. When I do short flick or full loop I can feel the ball connection to the rubber and it feels like it's locked into my racquet. I have a little better control over non tacky rubbers. Especially the short game. Also I'm not affected by incoming spin as much. As long as I have good acceleration I don't care what type or amount of spin is incoming. My overall speed hasn't really been affected since if I want to go all out I just hit flatter.
 
  • Like
Reactions: haggisv and lodro
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Member
Oct 2024
109
84
307
What's the physics behind why a 'sticky' rubber would generate more spin than a grippy rubber?

I mean, if I try to rub a ball against either, there is no 'give', the ball doesn't slide. So in theory if the racket skims the surface of the ball at the same velocity, they should rotate the ball to the same rotation speed. But they don't. My own experience shows my serves using a sticky rubber has greater spin. Don't know why.
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Well-Known Member
Oct 2022
4,968
2,477
7,818
What's the physics behind why a 'sticky' rubber would generate more spin than a grippy rubber?

I mean, if I try to rub a ball against either, there is no 'give', the ball doesn't slide. So in theory if the racket skims the surface of the ball at the same velocity, they should rotate the ball to the same rotation speed. But they don't. My own experience shows my serves using a sticky rubber has greater spin. Don't know why.
If you hold the ball on the rubber, you are pushing the ball against the rubber, so in that case, there is no "give" with tacky or grippy rubbers.

But if you just allow the ball the bounce freely, it comes off the grippy rubber immediately. With tacky rubber, it grabs the ball and the ball stays on the rubber longer, so you can produce more spin.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: PhoenixTT
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Active Member
Jun 2022
584
503
1,498
What's the physics behind why a 'sticky' rubber would generate more spin than a grippy rubber?

I mean, if I try to rub a ball against either, there is no 'give', the ball doesn't slide. So in theory if the racket skims the surface of the ball at the same velocity, they should rotate the ball to the same rotation speed. But they don't. My own experience shows my serves using a sticky rubber has greater spin. Don't know why.
The big difference is the amount of pressure/force that is needed for the ball to stick to the top sheet.

The stickiness will grab the ball on the slightest and lightest touches without the need to penetrate the sponge while the regular non sticky top sheets probably need the ball to have enough force or pressure against the bat to have the ball sink in into the sponge a little, because only that way the contact surface between Ball and top sheet increases and enables better grip.
The later need for force can somehow be mitigated by having a softer top sheet
 
says Table tennis clown
says Table tennis clown
Well-Known Member
Apr 2020
4,158
2,527
9,428
The big difference is the amount of pressure/force that is needed for the ball to stick to the top sheet.

The stickiness will grab the ball on the slightest and lightest touches without the need to penetrate the sponge while the regular non sticky top sheets probably need the ball to have enough force or pressure against the bat to have the ball sink in into the sponge a little, because only that way the contact surface between Ball and top sheet increases and enables better grip.
The later need for force can somehow be mitigated by having a softer top sheet
Well said. and this of course is the reason why in the very short game, also known as the "hot potato game" the sticky rubbers rule supreme because with them one can easily give just a bit more back and /or side spin which normally makes the opponent shove the ball into the net.
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Active Member
Nov 2019
652
554
2,274
Read 1 reviews
Although I haven't used Chinese rubbers, I don't think that serves are spinier than ESN rubber if you are not an absolute expert in serving, with very large serve stroke.
I'm saying that because I play frequently with a veteran that uses H3 on his FH and his serves are always without spin because his serving technique is not a professional one.
For the average nonprofessional player, I have the feeling that ESN rubbers are better for serving.

Might be an unconscious tactic to always serve no-spin ;)
Regarding the use of large strokes when serving: it depends... some use large motions before and after contacting the ball to deceive the opponent and the other part is (this is what I train most) to keep all serves of a certain kind say pendulum as similar as possible e.g. same small motion but with different speeds, spins and lengths.
What is a bit different though is that tacky rubbers need a bit more acceleration to overcome the tackiness to produce the same speed and spin as non-tacky rubbers. On the other hand tacky rubbers (usually) allow for a more aggressive acceleration and body use because they are not as fast and bouncy...

The link that you've posted provides very interesting statistics and give you an idea as where to focus your game.

Yep, this is something many players (me included) don't consider. I definitely prefer hitting counter topspin after counter topspin over multiball sessions to improve the basics ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arkady
Top