OOAK Table Tennis Forum

1. Ox can give sudden speed changes in table play, especially of the bounce. In chopping, I think that sponge can give more speed changes, as chopping with ox gives very similar balls one after another.

2. Ox gives more reversal or underspin, if your tecnique is not good and handspeed very fast. Against many opponents I find that reversal don't help you much or anything at all. I like to play against pure reversal.

3. Control is debatable, but if you look at female pro choppers, they can chop/push 100 balls to the table in the row without sweat with sponge. I think that ox is fundamentally more unstable, if you start pushing war with sponged player. And agaist harder hits ox is difficult to impossible to control due the low dwell time and lack of dampening. On the other hand, if your spin reading or tecnique in active plays is weak, ox gives you protection.

Generally speaking, OX is better for control for players below Roy's 1950 level or USATT 2200 U. Sponge is better for control for the Pro players. For players in between those skill levels, it depends on the player's style.

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Panda Drive / 4H Xiom Sigma Pro 2 2.0 / BH Xiom Omega IV Elite Max / Play right-handed
XVT balsa carbon 10mm / 4H Xiom Sigma Pro 2 2.0 / BH Globe 979 Long Pips OX / Play Left-handed shakehand
Stiga Def Wood / 4H Xiom Sigma Pro 2 2.0 / BH GD CC LP OX .. Play Left-handed
Cpen SOS Wood / 4H 729 802-40 2.0 / BH GD Talon use righthanded shakehand grip
HARDBAT / Shakehand Hock 3 ply / Friendship Dr Evil OX .. Play Right-handed