Playing against anti rubbers

Yashant Gyawali Asked 13 years ago

hey jeff and alois,

Thanks to your site for helping me improve my game.

My problem today is how to play against player with anti rubbers.  I know what anti rubbers does but still i find diffuculty playing against player with anti rubber.  Recently I lost to an anti player who keeps on attaking with (forehand normal rubber) and just blocks and receives serves with anti rubber.

So what can be a common tactics against such player.  What type of service to do, how much spin to put on serve, where to play the most of the ball?  plz share how you play with such player to win each point?

Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago

Hi Yashant,

One common thing that I get players to try is a backspin serve to the anti spin.  This will give you a topspin return that will be easier to attack. 

In the rally try to keep the ball to one side initially until you get the feel of the rubber.  They are relying on variation and changing things up to make it more awkward for you.  If you only give them the ball to one side you will stop them from that.

Since you understand the effects of the rubber it is now a matter of getting more comfortable against the rubber.  In the rally you can play only to the anti spin side and play one topspin one push to deal with the spin reversal.

Try to find players with the rubber to hit against as often as possible.  Even if you play them in matches, think about trying to improve your ability to play the rubber during the match.

The principles are the same as playing Long Pimples which we show you in our Match Strategy lesson on Playing Against Long Pimples.