iocTT.com :- TableTennis:-World's foremost multi-lingual discussion forum (Factual / parody). Free discreet membership to post. Simple registration. No email needed.

More than occasionally I run into a penholder or American grip player who either has

1. Just painted the unused side
or
2. Has a paint sheet on the unused side
or
3 . Just has left the unused side unpainted or with no paint sheet

Tactically speaking this is one of the biggest mistakes one can make.

Because, even if you do not use the other side at all, it it lot more beneficial to have a slim pips or long pips rubber on the unused side.

Why ? Because lots of robotNazis or even some Honorary loopers are terrified of slim pips or long pips. (Of course thi sis what probably makes them robotNaziss or honorary loopers in the first place).
Therefore it it lot more beneficial to have a slim pips or long pips rubber on the unused side.
The very thought that you may use slim pips or long pips really terrfies robotNazis or even some honorary loopers in the first place). .

Besides that , as a penholder or American grip player , you have a huge advantage over a shakehands player. Becauase you get to choose which rubber you will use at any point during a rally. This unlike a shakehander who HAS to use the rubber on their backhand if a ball comes to that side or the same on the forehand. A shakehander has no choice but a penholder or American grip player does becaus ethey can twiddle at any point during a rally and use the rubber on othe rside.

So evn if you do not plan on using the slim or long pips at all in a match first, the secret is to make the robotNazi opponent THINK that you will be using your slim or long pips a lot just to terrify them. You can do this during the first few points of each game., when it does not matter that much even if you lose the point. Of course you are in much stronger position if you win even haldf f thos einitial points because now you have terrified your pip hating robotNazi opponent even more

Also if you actually learn how to use slim pips or long pips in practie / training matches, you gain a first hand knowledge of how slim and long pips actually work .

Another benefit is that it more fun to use a differnt type rubber that is not yoirprimary rubber anyway .

There could also be another advantage if you prefer a heavir blade instead of a lighter blade. You can use a slim pips or long pips with thick sponge if you want a heavier blade. Of course if you prefer a lighter blade, you want to use OX type slim pips or long pips.

JBVTTC wrote: ↑May 2nd, 2025, 3:37 pm
3 . Just has left the unused side unpainted or with no paint sheet

I see no problem with this .

Pidao wrote: ↑May 2nd, 2025, 3:48 pm

JBVTTC wrote: ↑May 2nd, 2025, 3:37 pm
3 . Just has left the unused side unpainted or with no paint sheet

I see no problem with this .

Ther is no problem if your are not playing in an official league or tournament.

But if you are playing in an OFFICIAL tournamnet, you cannot use such a racket. The second side of the racket even if unused, MUST be painted (or have a paint sheet) per the infamous & oppressive two color rule of 1983 (One side should be black & other side one of other 5 colors >red, blue, green, pink or violet)

Oh BTW , if you use wide pips with sponge on the primary side (forehand) , you can also use a spinny inverted rubber on the unused side .
You can use it just for some spinny serves only if you are a TPG player like nmany times USA Champion DAvid Zhuang.
Or learn to play RPH backhand like Liu Guo Liang or 2024 USA National Women's Champion Hong Lin