Match Strategy
One of my buddies plays with a blade that's rubber has no grip to it, either from the fact that he has never cleaned its surface or that it is just old rubber or a combination of both.
When playing him tonight, regardless of the type of spin I put on the ball it had essentially no effect on how he went about hitting his next shot. He essentially has the opportunity to only worry about placement and not read the spin. I don't know if his dirty/old rubber mimics antispin or how you would classify it, but I was at a loss as to what strategy I should use against him. He also plays vary flat shots, never using spin of his own, seeing as his rubber can't really generate spin.
We also play on a table with poor bounce, so I rarely have the opportunity to make a strong drive. None on my variations of spin on serve had any real effect either. I don't know if having a pushing match would be my best bet, or how I should go about. Overcoming the fact that spin has little to no effect.
ps: I know in a real match you can't have dirty rubber as it alters the state of the rubber, but if it is similar to antispin or another kind of rubber, it is still good to practice against.
What do you recommend I should work on, or what strategy I should employ?
Hi Dakota,
It is probably best to treat it as an anti spin rubber. Starting with backspin is often best because that will come back to you with some topspin which should be easier to attack. Take your time and try to get used to the different effect of the bat.
You are right to use that time in training as good practice against a different type of shot.
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