How to play against long pips
Long pips send your spin back reversed: your topspin returns as backspin, and your push returns as no-spin or light topspin. To win, remember the spin you sent, loop with medium pace and margin, feed no-spin balls, target the inverted side and be careful pushing into the pips.
In this article
Long pips confuse club players more than any other rubber. The ball comes back with spin that does not match your opponent's stroke, and your usual shot dies in the net or sails long. The good news: long pips follow a logic, and once you understand it, they get a lot less scary.
Why long pips fool you
On inverted rubber, the ball hits a grippy surface and the player creates spin with their stroke. On long pips (long pimples), tall, thin pimples bend at contact. Instead of making new spin, they tend to keep the rotation the ball already had.
Because the ball has changed direction, that same rotation now acts as the opposite spin:
| You send | It comes back from long pips as | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy topspin | Heavy backspin | Hitting flat into the net |
| Light topspin | Light backspin | Opening the paddle too much and going long |
| Backspin (push) | No-spin or light topspin | Opening up for backspin and popping the ball up |
| No-spin ball | Almost no spin, floating | Expecting spin that never comes |
Short version: the spin you get back depends on the spin you sent. The more spin you give, the more (reversed) spin returns.
How to play against long pips: the plan
1. Remember what you sent
Before reading your opponent's stroke, think about your last shot. Heavy loop? Expect backspin. Push? Expect float or light topspin. That alone fixes many errors.
2. Be careful pushing into the pips
Push into long pips and the ball returns as no-spin or light topspin. Push again expecting backspin and the ball pops up. Instead, after your push, attack the return or play a light loop.
3. Medium loops with margin
Against the backspin that comes back from your loop, lift the ball like you would against a chopper. Steady medium loops beat one big hit: hitting hard into long pips just sends heavy backspin back at you.
4. Feed no-spin balls
With no spin, long pips have nothing to "return." The ball comes back slow and dead, easy to attack. A long, no-spin ball into the pips is one of your best weapons.
5. Attack the inverted side or the middle
Most long pips players use pips on one side only, usually the backhand. The other side is inverted and plays normally. Hitting to the inverted side, or the middle to force a choice, takes away their edge.
6. Watch for twiddling
Some players spin the paddle in their hand mid-rally (called twiddling) to switch pips and inverted on the same wing. Watch the rubber color at contact: the rules require different colors precisely so you can see which side was used.
7. Change depth and rhythm
Close-to-table long pips blockers struggle with changes of pace. Far-from-table long pips choppers struggle with short balls. See also how to beat a chopper.
Serve and return against long pips
- Your serve: long no-spin or topspin serves to the pips side produce easy returns. A short, heavy backspin serve into the pips comes back as float or light topspin, so be ready.
- Return: a serve with the inverted side behaves normally. Read the rubber color to see which side was used.
Drills to practice
| Drill | How | Sets | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loop vs. long pips block | Partner blocks with long pips, you loop at medium pace | 4 x 2 min | 10 in a row |
| Push then attack | You push into the pips, partner returns, you attack | 4 x 10 | 6 of 10 on the table |
| No-spin feed | Send long no-spin balls into the pips and attack the return | 3 x 10 | Win 7 of 10 |
| Read the side | Partner twiddles freely; call "inverted" or "pips" before you hit | 3 x 2 min | Call it right every time |
If nobody at your club plays long pips, ask someone to set up a pips paddle for practice. Understanding the gear helps too: see table tennis rubber.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play against long pips in table tennis?
Remember the spin you sent, because it comes back reversed. Use medium loops with margin, no-spin balls, attack the inverted side and avoid pushing again on the ball that comes back from your push.
Why does my topspin come back as backspin?
Long pips keep the ball's rotation. Because the ball changes direction, your topspin turns into backspin.
Do long pips create spin?
Very little. They mostly return the spin they receive, reversed.
What is the best shot against long pimples?
A steady medium loop, plus no-spin balls that give the pips no spin to send back.
Are long pips legal?
Yes, as long as the rubber is ITTF-approved and the two sides are different colors.