Spin change after contact with various racquets

Table Tennis Equipment

Last updated 4 months ago

Krishnagopal Thogiti

Krishnagopal Thogiti Asked 6 years ago

Greetings Alois,

I wonder how does spin change after contacting a racquet that doesn't move. 

I don't exactly, does spin return the same direction of rotation or reverse its direction? For example, after contacting the racquet against topspin, does it return backspin retaining its direction or does it return topspin reversing its direction.


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 6 years ago

Hi Krishnagopal,

If the rubber is an inverted rubber with grip then when the topspin comes in the ball will actually change the direction of its spin and come out with topspin.

If the rubber doesn't have grip then the ball comes out without changing direction so it actually goes back to the opponent with backspin.

Take a look at this great blog and illustration by Greg Letts. How Long Pimples Really Work


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Krishnagopal Thogiti

Krishnagopal Thogiti Posted 6 years ago

Thank you very much, Alois Rosario.


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 6 years ago

No problems


Sander De Boer

Sander De Boer Posted 4 months ago

This is also true with Sidespin? (Important for 3d ball)

Does the spin actually reverse?


D K

D K Posted 4 months ago

Laws of physics ignore the spin direction.
The spin always reverses on inverted rubber no matter of the direction.



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