Thinking of going to the dark side

This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Member
Oct 2015
264
183
596
The idea terrifes me but objectively speaking my two problems are the serve receive in the middle and to the backhand and backhand top spin. If short pimples will allow me to solve the receive and spare me the backhand top spin by sticking to the table to setup a ball for the forehand , I'am all set.
But I want first to confirm i'm not mis-understanding this rubber, in my mind I think I won't be much affected by opponent spin so it is one stroke that I might need to learn with possible varaition being inside the table or a a bit outside. If the is a learning curve maybe I should stick to my slow progress on the backhand side then..
Inputs much appreciated
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Jan 2024
2,213
2,888
6,916
Read 2 reviews
Even if it's not affected much by the opponent's spin, that really doesn't mean you only have to "learn one stroke". Au contraire, because you get significantly decreased spinning capabilities, you need to be more versatile in your strokes to maintain some level of danger.

I usually love playing against people who use pips to cover a weakness, because the weakness doesn't go away.

If spin sensitivity is the problem, have you tried flipping sides and using H3 on the backhand? Does that improve your service receive?

I would suggest switching to non tensor before considering short pips. Whether it's tacky, or classic euro, something that doesn't give the jumpy bounce that a tensor does. But perhaps for a similar price you can get 30-45m of targeted coaching for your BH receive and BH loop.
My two cents, it's probably a matter of footwork, relaxation and making an active, follow-through stroke rather than a touch.
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
May 2020
1,680
858
3,118
Read 1 reviews
I was in the same boat, and receive is a bit tough. They bite backspin a lot and throw a lot of stuff in the net. The key with them is to open everything up, pushing isn't your friend here.
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Member
Feb 2024
418
317
964
Short pips are harder to play than inverted.
Depending on which you pick they don't help a lot with serve receive. And you have to learn lots of new things because, they only shine if hit tha ball with early timing. For anything else they are harder or less effective than inverted.
IMO if you looking for an easy fix it's not short pips.
Better get an easy to play rubber thats not to sensitive to spin and easy to play. Tibhar aurus, xiom vega europe or yinhe moon 12 come to mind.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Scarfed Garchomp
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Sep 2013
13,139
15,420
36,968
Read 3 reviews
1754313487841.jpeg
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Member
Nov 2013
253
167
438
"Short Pips" is too broad a category - there are spinny short pips, deadish short pips, and then, of course, medium pips that are close to short pips. Adapting to short pips depends of which you try. But trying some won't hurt, maybe some spinny ones to start to see how they work. The blade also has a strong effect, as a slow blade with short pips plays quite differently than a fast, stiff blade. Play around a bit - you might find success.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Scarfed Garchomp
says 2023 Certified Organ Donor
says 2023 Certified Organ Donor
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Sep 2011
13,493
14,299
32,463
Read 27 reviews
I always advise to FIRST get a proficient inverted BH, especially a BH hit, a BH block, and a serviceable chop.

Do that with inverted, then try out sum LP, you will progress so much more.

Then go on OOAK forum and have sum LULZ with @haggisv
 
Top