The Best Sponge Thickness for Long Pimple Rubbers

"How does the sponge thickness influences the game of the defensive player?" - an interesting question we did not have an answer for.
In this video we have tested Grass D.Tecs rubber with different sponge thicknesses on the defensive blade.
Here are our thoughts and impressions from the perspective of the chopper and his opponent.
We hope you like it!
Blade:
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Long pimple rubber:
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Forehand rubber:
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[@jeremiahholland9264]

I am looking to switch to playing long pimples and this video was very helpful. Sponge thickness in long pimples was very confusing to me. Thank you for the effort you put into testing different types!

[@kristians3057]

Totally agree with Sergei, the sound of the Donic blade with OX is the best. Amazing comparison video, excellent work to all TT11 team 👍

[@ilyasshagmanov5290]

Hi, TT11, great comparison video, IMO the thicker the sponge layer under long pimples - it would provide more cushioning, which can make it easier to control incoming spin and add variation to your returns. However, thicker rubbers also tend to reduce the disruptive effect of the pips, as the ball sinks deeper into the sponge. Thinner sponge or no sponge at all (ox pips) increases the unpredictability and reversal of spin, which can make returns more difficult for opponents but might reduce your own control. It's a trade-off between control and spin disruption.

[@Splatersby]

Why do I get the feeling this video concept was a tough sell to Sergei hahaha Thanks so much for selecting my comment, I've sent you an email. This was really interesting and actually quite different findings to my initial understanding of pips.

[@chandrajusuf724]

Very nice comparison video. Would love to see more in-depth comparison videos in the future for more facets of LP.

[@srkstik__]

That hairstyle change looks great! Thanks for the review and for the racket!

[@tomtomtom1662]

Great to see you guys bring more interesting videos. Hopefully see another one soon, as promised!

[@michaelferner1243]

Good video. I have been playing with long pimples for over 40 years and have tested a lot in that time. In my experience, the thicker the tail of a long pimple, the more you lose the feel for the ball and the pimple is less dangerous. Plus, the good damping for fast topspins. If you want to use OX pimples, the choice of blade is crucial. Blades with hard outer veneers ensure maximum spin reversal. The damping of the ball is influenced by the vibration of the blade. If the blade gives well, it is good for defense but bad for attack. Everyone has to find the right compromise for themselves.

[@AmienPhillips]

Love the in-depth review! As a newcomer to TT (started this year), I've recently switched to long pimples (Tibhar Dtecs 0X) and been experimenting on my all-round blade. I'm loving it as it's something different to majority of my opponents so I've also been curious to see how they'd perform on a defensive blade. Thanks for sharing your expertise and keep up the great content!

[@xabieraizpuruasalaberria9831]

Thanks for sharing this video. You definitely have a way to test the rubbers that is very unique and enriching for us the viewers. I might sound crazy but the part I enjoyed the most was when Alex was able to hit the ball instead of chopping, as this usually surprises the attackers. Besides, I repeated the section of the video where he tested the OX rubber because he hit not an under spin ball, but a topspin ball! How did you do that?? Which sponge thickness did you find the easiest to hit with?

[@tareklablack5110]

Thank you very much for this useful videos! I am playing OX and now think about to try out the sponge variation! Keep it comming. I love it!

[@Raz3r29]

This is amazing well put together content. Great explanation, demonstration, and feedback. I've always wondered what the difference was and now I do. Thank you for video.

[@cristianbaican8223]

I guess the sponge thickness debate is pretty much the same as the pizza crust thickness debate

[@johnsonsu8621]

You guys are mind readers! I just got my 0.5mm Grass D.TecS + Hurricane 3 NEO on the Donic Defplay Senso V3 the day before this video came out and have been loving it! Perfect timing because my friend has also taken a liking to my paddle so maybe I can surprise them with a nice gift 😏

[@raikiro797]

Great video and really interesting topic. I hope you will continue with this type of content as it is really insightful for those who are new and also those who have played for a while. This is very interesting to me as an offensive player because now i will know how to play against different thicknesses of long pimples!

[@dobrydobryrotego]

14:59 Sergey is the first person who likes the sound of ox rubber

[@Mark-ec6ng]

Glad to see both sides of the table for the pimple testing. Very important to see how disruptive it is for the opponent as well. Never played with higher thickness sponge than 0.5mm this makes me think I should try 1.6mm sponge.

[@chasf3433]

If you still have the bats available then a second test looking at the differences for close to the table play e.g block, chop block, swipe, roll etc. would be really usefull as that is now how many LP users are playing. For example ox would give best reversal whilst 1.2 dtecs gives a lot of speed and swerve.

[@nadermedhatlabib]

Thanks a lot for your trial video. You both are full of passion towards table tennis. Keep it up guys.

[@cesarruizverdugo1318]

Excelente referencias, gracias por sus consejos.

[@Evgeny_Nikitin]

thanks for another great video. I myself use Grass DTecs in OX thickness but on an ALL+/OFF- blade as well as on Tiago Apolonia. Grass DTEcs is a very 'grateful' rubber - once you make an effort to tame it, your opponents will have a really hard time. but I should say that it is in no way a rubber for a beginner because it is quite fast and not easy to play for both the guys.

[@GlennBäregård]

I always learn a lot from you guys, thanks a lot! 👏

[@Hassanein2008]

You only tested chopping, no blocking, from my experience OX is really good for blocking and spin reversal, 1.6 is the best for chopping but not good for blocking close to the table, I have both and I am an ox player, my style is block close to the table and attack with ox in backend and inverted rubber in forehand

[@amirbarghi]

Great video! Definitely motivated me to start my journey from a defensive noob to Joo Sae-hyuk 😅💪

[@RalphAldenAbucejo]

Great video and technique. Now i know what thickness I will buy. Thanks tt11

[@robertschwind9450]

Nice👍 Thanks for your Reviews 🏓 Helps alot.

[@ericd1084]

I'm not a long pimple player, but the topic is still interesting. I play with inverted on both sides nowadays, but i used to play with short pimple on my forehand for 5 years. Spectol Blue was my most effective short pimple rubber. I liked the one that was labeled 1.4 to 1.7. For me it was the most dangerous. Im surprised to see they discontinued that rubbber.

[@big_pip_energy_tt]

I'm not entirely sure which one but I believe Victas spectol series encompasses all the tsp spectol rubbers

[@Benny_-pb5lb]

Very interesting video!

[@J.Wu99]

Glad to see you guys are making new review videos! Please keep them coming and thanks for all you do for the tt community ❤ I am also definitely accepting any gift paddles 😆 I’ve been giving out my old and spare rackets to friends new to the sport and I’m running out

[@hans-jurgenwolter1399]

Very interesting Video! Thank you very much. I'm really surprised, that 1,2mm seems to have less control than 1,6mm. One note: I think, that a Curl P1 or Feint Long 3 would be a more logical choice for defensive play. Gras D.Tecs (at least in OX) is more often used for blocking near the table umnd therefore not the best reference.

[@cristiannuske]

Thanks for sharing this great comparison video. It's really interesting topic. Greetings from Argentina.

[@patrick1835]

If there is too much Grass you might just need a lawn mower! Thanks for the great video :) I actually have similar findings having tried OX, 0,5 and 0,9. The thinner the sponge the better it plays close to the table imo.

[@rjfitnesstv5089]

I always buy from table tennis 11 and as always I am very sarisfied for the good service. Fast delivery and good quality products🏓 I am also a modern defensive player🏓

[@ShenJX17]

I would like to try that defensive racket 👌👌👌

[@hopfen33]

As interesting as it is surprising. Perhaps a similar test should be carried out for players who play with long pimples on the table?

[@Roccorocco892]

I think 0.9 got all the worlds far from the table and close , don’t forget that the sponge dumped from the speed of the shot if someone loop you powerful shot on thin or non sponge it will be very hard to control, must have sponge

[@koypi5051]

For me playing pimples with sponge is hard to control

[@omarisacshowiki3786]

I have only played with short pimples ordered from your website. I definetly have to try longer pimples after seeing this. It looked like you had a easy time to counter attack with them as well. How difficult was it to receive you active aggressive shots?

[@handlebargg]

It would be great if the price of rubber was affected by its thickness. Thinner rubber would be much more popular due to the price cut!)

[@LuisFlores-ir4hi]

You still do not have the new gewo products, if possible talk about those products for example gewo elaxxon

[@malongsserve4735]

I like to vary the spin, so 1.5mm sponge is best for me

[@alariik]

Go go go chop chop love you all!

[@jotun19]

Why would anyone want long pimples? Weren't normal pimples bad enough during puberty?

[@tt101]

Thank you for the video. Cheers. First to comment. "Early bird get the worm"

[@homerogprados]

OX rules

[@jagdishseshadri2823]

You guys are Playing with pips for only defence and giving your views. You can use it for offence for which you need to have a different skill. Also the racquet head position needs to be changed to get different rotation thanks