So my question is will a tacky rubber help to lift the ball a little bit instead of a grippy rubber? My only problem with tacky is its sensitivity when receiving serves. So any suggestions.

Thanks.

http://www.pingskills.com/lessons-backhand-topspin-against-backspin.php - http://www.pingskills.com/lessons-backhand-topspin-against-backspin.php

 

With the flip, you're coming under the ball like a push but turning it over into topspin.  Easier done on the bh side than the fh side (at least I think.)

 

With the loop, you're dropping your paddle down and coming straight up with little forward motion.  The more backspin on the ball, the less forward motion you can use.  Your blade is completely "open."  Sometimes even hitting up on the ball.

 

Right there is the flaw in your entire line of reasoning...

 

Yes, of course, you are right and I apologize.  I thought the rest was implied.  All of your other points assume that a practice partner is available and when none is, they are rendered moot.

 

I think we can all agree that a live partner/coach is preferable to a robot in the vast majority of situations.  However, not all of us have access to a practice partner on demand.  Thus, the real alternative to a robot is nothing, and it's difficult to argue that a robot is worse than nothing.  This, of course, assumes that it is used correctly!

 

Most of the people I've seen who claim that robots are damaging cite the argument that the balls served are too consistent, too fast/slow, or the timing is wrong.  They seem to believe that robot training is simply "looping against a robot" ad infinitum.  Nothing could be further from the truth, and this is more an issue with the person configuring the robot than the robot itself.

 

In reviewing older posts, I ran across testimony from an experienced coach who states that robot training is very beneficial, especially to beginners.  This has agreed with my (admittedly quite limited) experience as a beginner.

 

By focusing practice on specific drills to accomplish specific goals, enforcing variation in the aim of my shots and placement of the robot's serves, incorporating footwork into the drills, and always returning to a ready position between shots my game (as measured by results against human opponents) has improved dramatically in a short period of time.  (Oh, and my rule is that every ball I pick up off the floor must be served back to the robot's collection net.)  Sure, this requires some effort and discipline on the part of the player, but this improvement has occurred in spite of the fact that most of my days are filled with work, family, etc and there are very few people who are as willing as my robot to join me in the garage for practice in the wee hours of the morning when I am available.

 

YMMV

 

Yes.  Then again it's equally possible to practice bad technique with a human partner!  In any case, what does this have to do with learning to loop underspin?  Well...

 

It certainly has been useful to me to set the robot to generate underspin and practice looping it.  When you do, be sure that you practice not only different amounts of spin, but also different depths of bounce on your half of the table.

 

Once you get good at looping these consistently, add footwork by adopting a ready position one step to each side of where the ball will arrive and stepping to it when you hit.  Be sure to return to ready then step back before the next shot.  Then do two steps, then three, each for various spin/speed/depth settings.

 

Also practice alternating return between the far corner and down the line.  Don't just blindly return the ball to the middle of the table!

 

Oh, fwiw, I've also found it useful to load the robot with a couple different brands of ball (same color).  The robot throws each brand quite differently and this adds to the variation of the shots.

 

just trust yourself.

 

When you lift it, dont forget the forward part of the stroke. A lot of people when learning to loop underspin, FH or BH, focus so much on the lifting, that their entire stroke just becomes a straight upwards line, and they have no forward momentum to carry it over the net. Sure you get the ball high enough, but have nothing backing it to carry it over. When you start your stroke, start in your pocket, bend your knees, and when you execute, use an open angle along with the lifting motion, but drive it forward starting with your legs, then your torso-shoulder-arm.  You gotta use your body to propel it forward. Your legs and arm lift it. But dont neglect the part of forward motion. FORWARD! this is number 1 important element in generating power.

 I agree with this but I would say that although you should only be looking to open the point up by flipping or looping you must always have the backup of just pushing the ball back (either short or at thier body etc) what I mean is don't just think that you must always attack the underspin serves (the very best players will often just push it back strategity if they can't get a good flip in)

 

 I realise you are trying to learn one shot here .Im just adding that you must have more than one option