Joola Octopus
A regular question that comes to me often from long pips players is that what long pips has good spin reversal which is close to a frictionless long pips rubber can generate. After using Joola Octopus for a while, I would say this rubber has good reversal comparing with many other long pips rubbers.
This is what Joola says about Octopus:
“Two of the world’s best defensive players, Chen Weixing and Latin American Champion Liu Song rely on the new long pimples rubber OCTOPUS, which has been developed in conjunction with these two defensive artists. With OCTUPUS you can play extreme chop shots and also add variation by taking the ball early at the table. An extra hard sponge provides extremely awkward effects.”
The percentage of players who are using Joola Octopus is very less. It may due to the high price of this rubber without understanding what this rubber can do for a defensive player.
The 0.5 and OX version of Joola Octopus fit passive defensive players. The 0.5 mm version is little faster and both have good spin reversal. An active defensive game with OX or 0.5 versions is possible but it needs more work and is tiresome too. However being passive can earn many points for you with this rubber - I’m talking about players who chop block on their backhand and use the forehand to earn points. The reverse spin can confuse the opponents. With both the OX and 0.5 versions you have better control in placing the ball from close to the table to the edge of the table. Its amazing control has surprised me many times.
The amazing capability of Joola Octopus in my experience is its ability to attack. Many of my friends were surprised at its attacking ability. Whether the ball is high or low, I was able to hit straight through the ball and finish the point. I have not seen that much ability with any friction rubber before. This behavior matches with TSP Curl P3. It has excellent ability to block high top spin drives and loops that come from the opponents. It is amazing for punch strokes also.
The 1.1 mm version of Joola Octopus is for active players who play active chopping game. This rubber is different from many other rubbers in its ability to chop the ball on the rise. If you have watched Chen Weixing’s defensive game, you can understand what I’m talking about. However the rubber is not forgiving if you play an active game and does not accelerate the forearm to generate under-spin from your strokes. There are so many variations to your opponent’s spin you can add by playing close to the table and being active. It can wear out your opponent.
I have not been successful enough to generate side spin with this rubber against heavy top spin loops. I felt the ball was little bouncy, and the opponent did not find it difficult to smash. That’s where I’ve found my weakness in not accelerating my hand enough.
Many long pips players will find a similarity between Joola Octopus and TSP P1R long pips rubbers. However both the rubbers are different in quality and the performance. The TSP P1R rubber is hard to control and is suitable for very active and aggressive defensive players. The TSP P1R can’t reverse the spin as good as Joola Octopus, but it does more destructive effects than Joola Octopus. I would compare Joola Octopus to TSP Curl P3, having the abilities to both defend and attack.
The Joola Octopus rubber has excellent quality and will last for months. I would recommend this rubber to a close to the table defensive player (OX or 0.5 mm version) as well as for aggressive and active choppers (1.1 mm version).
The rubber is little pricey. It costs close to 50 USD. The quality of this rubber, the durability, better control, spin reversal and its consistence performance make this rubber a deceptive weapon.
If you have specific question about this rubber, please post the question in the TableTennisNetwork.com / tabletennisJunkie.com forum. Your question will be answered there.
Sponsor Ad: TableTennisStore.US - 1000 XIOM, TSP, JOOLA, CHAMPION table tennis products!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
thanks… i love Joola Octopus rubber .
what are the blade and fh rupper with octopus?
I have a Joo se Hyuk blade from butterfly with sriver FX 1.9 FH and Joola Octopus 0.5 BH
I have been using CURL P3 for several months now. I’m fairly happy with it, but a high rated long pip player advised me to go for a trickier rubber. Would Joola Octopus be the choice for me?
I’m a 2000 ranked player (USATT Rating). My game is composed of close to the table long pip blocking with periodic attack strokes. Mostly though, I use the back spin to set up for a ball that I can blast with my forehand. Why would I change from P3 to Octopus?