Purposefully not using spin

Ethan Fox Asked 2 years ago

Hello Alois and Jeff! I’ve been wondering if there is a reason to not use spin. I’ve heard of anti-spin rubbers, but I’m not exactly sure what they are. My question is: Is there a situation in which it can be advantageous to try to make the ball flat or without spin? Example: I purposefully put no spin on a shot hoping that my opponent will overcompensate for what spin he thinks is there. What do you think? 
P. S. Can you give me info on what anti-spin rubber is?

Alois Rosario Answered 2 years ago

Hi Ethan,

Payers often use no spin with serves or pushes for example as a variation.  However, your no spin ball is only effective if you can also generate spin so that the variation is effective.

An anti spin rubber has a smooth surface that doesn't allow you to generate spin on the ball but it is a slower rubber that allows you to control spin.  It reverses the spin on the ball.