Once again, I'll break the styles of play into the 4 categories of classic defender, modern defender, push/blocker, and hitter. If you have chosen a style that is a mix of one or more of these styles, then you may wish to either choose a long pimpled rubber that best suits your dominant style, or pick a long pimples that provides the ability to do everything that you want. Keep in mind that depending on what style or styles you choose, you may not find a perfect long pimples for the way you play. You may be forced to compromise and use a long pimples that does all the things you want adequately, rather than perfectly.
Modern Defender
For the modern defender, I would suggest using a long pimples with excellent spin variation to help set up attacks (not spin reversal), and with good to medium control. The speed of the long pimples is not such an important factor, although I would not recommend using long pimples with no sponge, as the modern defender generally needs some sponge to help give his chop returns and attacks a reasonable amount of pace - a return that is too slow is not good.In order to meet this criteria, look for a long pimpled rubber with most of the following characteristics:
- a rough pimple top and grippy pimple sides, to allow more spin variation via technique;
- flexible pimples rather than stiff, again to allow more spin variation;
- thin to medium sponge (around 0.5mm to 1.5mm) to provide an adequate amount of pace without sacrificing too much control;
- the length of the pimples can vary depending on personal taste. The great Chinese chopper of the 1990's, Ding Song, used a relatively short pimpled rubber, while the current defensive players Joo Se Hyuk and Chen Weixing are using long pimples. I personally prefer a medium type pimples which can both attack and defend, but I can't claim to be in the same class as those players mentioned above!
- The overall control of the long pimples should still be relatively good to help cope with the speed glued loop, whilst allowing the user to vary the spin as desired. The emphasis is on using the long pimples as a weapon to set up the counterattack, rather than hoping the opponent will make the first mistake in a loop to chop rally.
Classic Defender
The classic defender needs more control than the modern defender, and the ability to vary the spin is probably not quite as important, although still very useful. There is no need for too much speed from the long pimples, so choosing to not use sponge can be a valid option.The classic defender should be looking for a long pimpled rubber with the the following properties:
- the pimple tops and sides can be chosen according to personal taste. A rougher top and grippier sides will allow more spin variation but have slightly less control, while the 'glassy' smooth type long pimples will have better control and spin reversal, but less ability to vary the spin;
- again, the flexibility of the pimples can vary depending on the desired result. A flexible pimples will allow better variation, while stiffer pimples should give more spin reversal.
- The sponge should be thin or not used, to provide maximum control.
- The length of the pimples should be medium to long, to get the best effects from the rubber. The less they will be used to attack with, the longer they can probably be.
- The overall control of the long pimples should be excellent, as the user will need to be able to consistently return the ball against the most powerful of loop drives, in order to have the opponent make the first mistake.
