soft sponge

Table Tennis General

Last updated 14 years ago

Ji-Soo Woo

Ji-Soo Woo Asked 14 years ago

Hi Alois

I am thinking of getting Pryde 30, and maybe going with a Pryde 30 / Pryde combination.  However, I've heard 30 has a very soft sponge and just wanted to be clear about the properties of soft versus harder sponges.

From your earlier answer to a similar question I understand softer sponges = more control, more spin.

I read somewhere else someone claiming softer sponges was less susceptible to incoming spin.  Is this correct?

Also, that softer sponges were worse for blocking (which makes sense) and pushing (less obvious), but better for chopping.  Is this true?

I also understand softer sponges = less gears (in terms of speed)...and it is harder to do drop shots and really soft shots in general...is this true?

Thanks!

Ji-Soo


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 14 years ago

Hi Ji-Soo,

Firstly let me tell you that we can now get Pryde 30. I haven't tried it out as yet so can't tell you much about it.

Softer sponges tend to give you more feel because the ball is sinking into the sponge a little more.  It is easier togenerate topspin on the ball because the ball sponge is wrapping around the ball a little more.  As far as which is better for blocking I think it is preference.  The harder sponge does tend to give you a more direct line when you block the ball but the softer sponge may allow you to feel the ball better.  I do like the harder sponge for blocking myself.

The harder sponge does mean less feel and touch.   However I like the harder top sheet for the short push because it gives me a direct line to play the ball short.  The softer rubbers tend to make the ball jump up a little high for me on the short balls.

I would like to hear others preferences though.


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Thoughts on this question

andrew brand

andrew brand Posted 14 years ago

i also prefer as soft a sponge as possible, it definitely gives you more spin and you can virtually feel the ball turning on contact. great for feel, control and spin. at least thats my experience.

Mike Ivanov

Mike Ivanov Posted 14 years ago

I also like the softer sponge. I think it tends to have a greater catapult effect then hard sponges and has way more spin then most hard ones. About a year ago I was having trouble with forehand loop, kept getting it over the table. then I tried a soft sponge which had 100 control and not as much speed and it worked for me. Now I can switch to something more speedier but I'd still like a soft sponge.

jamie champion

jamie champion Posted 14 years ago

hi 

i think the softer rubbers have a very nice feel and a higher throw angle than most harder rubbers but the spin can be just as good on either (its just a preference) i use the bryce speed fx on my f/h and it is very spinny and it has a low throw angle and is very good for blocking the topsheet is hard and the sponge is medium/soft 



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