Messages de gegene - Page 6

Avis de David Pech glané sur un site anglophone: Review by David Pech USA Technical Representative- www.Pechnique.com

Out of the packaging, the new Anti Special is noticeably different than its predecessors, Grizzly and Gorilla. The surface has a matte slick surface. Dragging a ball over the surface gives little to no frictional resistance. The sponge is also very different, in that it’s a light pink and will come in 1.2mm, 1.5mm, and 1.8mm. It is very hard and very dead. As for this review, I am using a 1.5mm black version. On a side note, I have found in testing this sponge on other top sheets, the spin reversal between 1.2mm and 1.5mm is almost indistinguishable, so my thinking is if one is using a fast blade (off-), I would recommend using the 1.5 and the 1.8 on an (off) to (off+) blade, as this sponge will slow down any blade. For those using an (all+) and less, use the 1.2mm sponge. This new sponge comes with a contact sheet. I would like to make some recommendations for adhering the rubber to your blade. I am using a water-based voc-free glue by Spintech Aqua Bond. This stuff is great. It has no affect on the sponge or the top sheet, and it will pass the Enez test box at any tournament. My suggestion is to first seal your blade, as this glue will hold almost too well if you blade has not been sealed. To adhere your rubber to your blade, you must first remove the protective white contact sheet protector from the back of your sponge. Apply one coat of Aqua Bond glue to both sponge and blade and let dry. One can use a blow dryer to speed up the process, then simply place your new rubber on the blade and cut to size.
OK- so now for the playing characteristics of this new Anti Special from Neubauer… WOW!! It is much slower and vastly more controlled. The top sheet seems to absorb the ball and allows one to keep almost any loop on the table. The spin reversal is also great and deceptive. Sampson Dubina, Ohio number one, said that he could not loop the ball two times in a row, as there was too much spin reversal. On power loops, I could pull the bat back slightly and absorb the energy of the loop, and still keep the ball low and on the table. Loop blocking, stayed low and short over the net with two bounces on my opponent’s side of the table, not allowing him to re-loop. As for hitting, I was able to attack many balls with success that stayed over the table from Sampson’s push when he did not re-loop. Serve return is also much easier with more control. Balls stayed low and I could push them very easily to a corner of my choosing. This new combination of top sheet and sponge has also seemed to help with return of top spin serves which always seemed to go long and high, now the ball now stays low and with strong spin-reversal. Pushing the no-spin balls is also no problem, so long as one has a soft hand and keeps their racket angle set. Chopping with the new Anti Special is also very easy and controlled. The ball stays low and keeps a strong backspin on the ball. Due to the deadness of how this rubber plays, one needs push forward on chopping balls.

In conclusion, I believe that this rubber is 35-40% slower than Gorilla/Grizzly, with as much if not more spin reversal. Balls are more unpredictable, and stay low, requiring your opponent to have very good footwork to get in position to return the next ball. Some ball will have no-spin and the next will be loaded. Attacking balls over the net are easy and fast as the sponge is hard. Loop blocks now stay on table and are loaded, requiring a push by your opponent on their next shot. This rubber is a must try if you are still in the wasteland of having nothing to replace you frictionless Long Pips. If you are looking for a good blade for this new rubber, try the Gladiator by Neubauer, as it is controlled and enhances the spin reversal.