As the other long pips rubbers that Dr. Neubauer manufactures, Boomerang is also a frictionless rubber. Like its name, this rubber simply returns the opposite spin - with same quantity - of your opponents spin. It can’t do anything more than that.
I tried this rubber on a Dr.Neubauer Combination Effect paddle. I had a sponge size of 0.6 mm. The pips are soft and rubber is fast. I would have probably gone with an OX version (without sponge) if I knew the rubber is fast. I had the rubber on my back hand side of the paddle.
This rubber is very good for “close to the table” blocking – simply this rubber is a blocking rubber. Since this rubber is fast, you may have to try different sponge sizes and see which one fits your blade. I played against three different players who are very good hitters and top spin loopers. I played close to the table and blocked all their shots. It was so amazing to see the amount of opposite spin it returns to the opponent. They were not able to push or loop my returns. I blocked side spin servers from my opponents, it generated enormous opposite spin which they did not know what to do with.
It is so disappointing when I say this rubber is not good for chopping. You can’t do any classic chops including block chops. The chopped balls go with little spin which ultimately you will pay the price for an attack from your opponent. However this rubber is a good rubber for pushing. If you twiddle your paddle, you can easily force your opponent to make a mistake with a push stroke.
The manufactures claim this rubber is good for hitting. I was not able to successfully hit and earn a point on any short underspin or light top spin shots with this rubber on my backhand. The returned shots don’t have any sinking action. I tried “smash chops” on high top spin and underspin balls. I was not that successful hitting those shots, the balls simply flew in the air. However I found some success with forehand hitting. Hit the core of the ball with the pips and a good follow through forward is a winning shot. I would suggest this rubber for a player who has used short pips or medium pips on the forehand.
The lifting on underspin balls did not generate enough sinking momentum. Lifting the underspin balls will generate a light top spin which the opponents can easily handle.
Can’t you win any game, and is disappointed by the heavy top spin shots that come to you like bombs? Is there no fun playing table tennis? This rubber is the good news for you. Get this rubber, and practice just backhand and forehand blocks for a month or two. You would not only win more games, but also help others to develop their skills.
Tips for topspin loopers: Do you want to get consistent with your backhand or forehand topspin loop strokes against various underspin shots? Buy this rubber, put on a cheap paddle and give to your friend. Practice loops with him by you being in the forehand he is in the backhand. Let your friend block your top spin and return the balls to you. Tell me your improvements after a month or two. You will not probably fear a long pips player in the next tournament – you may shed some pounds also.
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