Thanks, ian demagi, for the review. I realise now that I bought 563 probably because of the review (so pls send check!). I'm using a hardbat now - looping hard with sponge and inverted rubber aggravated my shoulder and elbow injuries and I find the tiny 'dwell' time of no sponge doesn't hurt. Interesting observations from everyone. I compared 563 to 799 and 802, all OX, which I find really gives you a clear idea of what the rubber is about. A couple hours on the robot and against a few live opponents.
The return from 563 has slow round arc. So a fairly high throw that drops short with low speed (nice because it stays on table). In comparison the 799, when punch blocking can be very flat and projects deeper, longer throw. 802 closer to 799: low throw, flat blocking trajectory.
When countering topspin, both BH and FH, I find myself using a slower arm, wrist action for 563 than the other two. Deals with incoming topspin very well and counters on the rise or at top of bounce with good control. Consistent arc, then drops on the table. Very nice.
On FH against opponent I found myself using a very flat horizontal motion with a measured amount of force, contrasted with 802, which I sometimes hit really hard even when the ball is low because I can create a little topspin. I like the flat stroke very much. josephs mentioned this too. I agree. For smashing I found myself smashing in the same measured way. The higher the ball the more power I used. I think it smashes wonderfully.
BH Chop blocking and punch blocking. 563 can do them, but they are not its strength. Especially compared with 799, which I have found is fantastic at chop blocking and punch blocking. 802 is very good as well. With 563 you can drop them very short, after they do that little high arc. But for forceful punch blocking, adding sidespin, adding pace etc, no. 799 and 802 are way better.
Serving: Hard to get spin with 563. With 802 you can adress the ball with the most oblique angle and serve short and get a tremendous amount of spin. With 799 I have to adress the ball at slightly less of an angle, still get great spin. With 563, at a sharp angle the pips just bend and the ball falls short with little spin. In order to get spin you have to address the ball at less angle, which results in more speed, so in order to get high spin you with a ball that is travelling fast, ending up with a long serve. If I were going to use 563 for serving I'd be thinking deception: big arm motion for an underspin serve that doesn't actually have much spin. Mixing it up with fast, long serves. 563 does all the typical pips out fast, flicky serves fine. One of the set-ups I used against opponents was 563 on FH and 802 on BH. I definitely would be twidding: serving with the 802 then twiddling to get the 563 on my FH.
I really like 563. My inclination is to use it on FH for it's countering ability. The measured stroke I find myself using with it really suits my FH. For backhand I would use it too if I was into countering (like miao miao and tayna bahn. By the way, I watched some vids of Tayna and saw her countering with her BH, no punch blocking heavy topspin on her BH that I could see). In fact I may try it on both BH and FH. My reservations on BH are that I don't feel it is that strong for blocking, and I block close to table on BH, can't help it! Also, with BH, the very wristy flicky stroke used on balls on the rise can be done great with 802 as well. 563 BH stroke is slightly slower flick, less manic than 802. Very nice, actually.
563 is very good for my injuries. I feel less friction on the ball with this rubber (more spin passes through), which results in less torque build-up in my injured ligaments, which means I should probably be playing with it BH and FH. I think actually I will try it on both BH and FH tomorrow at my friendly Friday knock-up with a couple of friends. For competition, however, I would really feel inadequate in the serving department, where I would want my 802 to deliver sharp spin on short serves. I realise I haven't mentioned 563 in relation to dealing with backspin. I'll get to that another time. By the way I think all three of these rubbers are great...for different things obviously but they are all good rubbers.
_________________ Stiga Allround Oversize trimmed to Penhold FH: Dr N Pistol 1.6 BH: Sriver L 1.5
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