Trying out pips for the first time

I wasn't sure whether to post this in the Equipment section or the Coaching section, since this is a question about both aspects of the game.

Background: I started playing table tennis seriously last June, and when I say seriously I mean that I have played for at least 6 days a week for a minimum of 2 hours, always 3-4 hrs when I could manage it. In that time I have gone from a timid "push/chop everything back unless it's a couple of feet high, in which case try to smash" to better footwork, better positioning, opening up and looping any long or slightly high ball, etc, and recently I have just dug in and started to work on consistency, with repeated looping against a blocker, with and without movement.

However, even though I find two-winged looping to be the most entertaining style to play and watch, I'd like to try out the different styles.

The problem: I'm not sure where to start with pips. When I wanted to select a blade and inverted rubbers, there were plenty of people at my club who would let me try theirs for a couple of minutes. There are only 2 players at my club who use short pips and they don't seem particularly skilled at using them. There was a visiting player who played with short FH/long BH, and he was incredibly good, but he was only there for a day. The end result is that I have no way of knowing what to try without spending some money first. I know that long pips and short pips are significantly different from each other, and that long pips in particular require a different playstyle/different strokes compared to inverted.

Questions:
a) What is the best approach to trying out pips without disrupting/affecting my inverted looping practice? Inverted FH/Short BH? Long BH? Short FH/Long BH?
b) I have a Stiga Classic Offensive WRB lying around. Would this be okay for a pips setup? What rubbers would go best with this?
c) What tips would you give a player who is going to try pips without a coach to guide him?

c) What tips would you give a player who is going to try pips without a coach to guide him?

Edited by 1dennistt - 05/04/2014 at 10:47pm

I agree with Mark. Short pips can ruin your inverted strokes if you don't work out the technical distinctions consciously enough. On the backhand, the transition is easier than on the forehand because many people hit the backhand. But it also depends on what kind of sponge thickness and pips - the tensioned spinnier pips are easier to transition to from tensioned rubbers, which is why 802 can be an unfortunate even if cost effective recommendation. The Butterfly pips are expensive, but that or even speedysoft Dtecs are better transition options.

suds79 wrote: Rhainur wrote: However, even though I find two-winged looping to be the most entertaining style to play and watch, I'd like to try out the different styles. Have to know more about what style you're wanting to play? I take it the pips are for your backhand? Are you playing close to the table and continuing to hit with the backhand? Are you looking to play off and chop? I'm a big advocate for pips but it's hard to me to say "sure make the switch" on just a whim wanting to try something different without knowing what you're wanting to accomplish. If you go short pips (say an 802) on the backhand you can expect... - Great accuracy on direction blocking  - Good feel of the ball - Good speed  - Significantly less reaction off your blade in service return - a big adjustment when simply pushing. The ball won't grab your topsheet like it does with inverted. It's much more flat and forward when pushing. - a drive oriented game. Looping is pretty much gone... If you're far off the table and they hit to your backhand, might want to chop that ball. That said, chopping will feel a lot better than it would with inverted IMO. If you want to try pips without a big adjustment, I'd say 802-40 in 2.0 sponge. If you want a more true short pips experience, I'd say 1.5 or 2.0 of regular 802. Watch a lot of Johnny Huang video and check out this site. http://www.pipfacts.info/

x2
Without any coaching sessions, 802-40 is good choice.  May be KTL Stranger Attack Long Pimples (>=1.2mm sponge thickness),

suds79 wrote: Have to know more about what style you're wanting to play? I take it the pips are for your backhand? Are you playing close to the table and continuing to hit with the backhand? Are you looking to play off and chop?

I try to play close to table, and while in the past I was mainly finishing points with a drive or smash, recently I have started looping more and more. My footwork still has a long way to go, so especially after I get tired, I often get caught out of position and am forced to push.

I don't think I have the footwork for a lot of chopping, to be honest.

TT newbie wrote: I don´t understand the reason so many users recommend 802-40. In my opinion it is a terrible rubber. Too hard, poor control when hitting and bad touch feeling.  I changed to Moristo SP and it´s another world. It is soft, much faster and I can really feel the tension in it.

There is nothing special about 802-40 except that the top sheet grips the ball a little better than 802.  The 35 degree sponges are the same except 802 only comes in 1.5mm and 2mm and 802-40 comes in 1.8mm, 2mm and 2.2mm from zeropong.  All versions are light and very inexpensive so it is a good way to start playing with SP.