Will a thicker sponge help or hurt my loops? I recently switched to Butterfly's Tackfire C in an effort to make my loops heavier. But I also switched to 2.1mm and the ball seems to be coming off too fast for me to really spin it. Is it me (technique) or would a thinner sponge be better for looping with a tacky rubber such as Tachfire C?

BTW, I'm only about a 1200 p_layer_ and just learning to Loop well. I'm sure that the reply for Barney Reed would be different than for me

Doug

dougwo wrote:
Will a thicker sponge help or hurt my loops? I recently switched to Butterfly's Tackfire C in an effort to make my loops heavier. But I also switched to 2.1mm and the ball seems to be coming off too fast for me to really spin it. Is it me (technique) or would a thinner sponge be better for looping with a tacky rubber such as Tachfire C?

BTW, I'm only about a 1200 p_layer_ and just learning to Loop well. I'm sure that the reply for Barney Reed would be different than for me

Doug
Generally, thicker sponge will help your loop at all levels without loss of control. The extra topspin pulls the ball down for you, while thinner sponge might just sail the ball off. However, the thicker sponge may affect your control on other shots, such as serve return, blocking, pushing and general forehand and backhands.

If the ball is coming off your racket too fast, then you probably have too fast a racket. Most beginners have rackets that are too fast for them. Go for something that's medium fast.

As to the sponge thickness, it depends on how much you are playing. If you are drilling regularly, you can learn to control the thicker sponge. If you only play matches, or only play occasionally, go for thinner sponge. USA Men's Coach and five-time USA Men's Singles Champion Dan Seemiller once said that nobody should use 2.0 sponge until they are at least 2000 level.

Far, far more important than the equipment you use is getting a decent coach, developing good technique, and practicing.

-Larry Hodges

There are a few things you need to find out. First of all, your _style_ of playing. (Offensive, Defensive, or Chop, cut then Loop, etc.) With your ranking as 1200 as you said, your paddle plate should be All+ and the rubbers should not be more than 2.0 mm. as a thickness.
Then when you move up to 1600 - 1700, then you will have a new thought for your _style_. Good Luck