(by: Logan Rietz)
I love pips. I like chopping with them, hitting with them, anything I can do to disrupt my opponents. I’m a long-time long pips player, but over the last several months, I have been using various short pips rubbers for our Fethomania livestreams. Working through some of the different options (Challenger Attack, Impartial XS, & Impartial XB) has been a good review on how they cater to different playing styles.
The Impartial series would be a good starting point for players transitioning from regular inverted rubber, as they offer more speed and spin than the more traditional short pips (Speedy P.O. and Challenger Attack). They are also some of the few rubber sheets we offer in 2.3 mm sponge, really maximizing the power one can generate.
The older short pip styles would be easier to use for anyone coming from a long pip background (especially when using the thinner sponges), as they don’t generate much spin and play slower.
However, on May 1st, Bugller entered the chat, and did so awkwardly (in the best way possible). Butterfly’s newest rubber has been fun to get to know, in part because I don’t really have anything else to compare it to.
Bugller combines several interesting qualities that make for a unique experience for everyone at the table. After recently playing with the other pips, I initially found this rubber quite difficult to use. With a significantly different trajectory off the paddle (I kept dumping everything in the net in the beginning), it took to some to dial it in. My guess is that this is a function of the hard Spring Sponge X (in between Dignics 05 and Dignics 09C), which is a fun new shade of purple.
I also found this to be true when blocking, which required some forward movement at the point of impact to get the spin to flip like normal.
When I tried blocking passively, it seemed to react closer to long pips; in a true testament to how little spin this top sheet produces, the ball’s rotation was unchanged and essentially “flipped” to underspin for the opponent.
At the same time, this rubber goes EXACTLY where you aim; once you dial in the stroke/speed for each shot, new opportunities present themselves. Backhand punch straight up the line? No problem. Short side-angle block to open up the court? Every day and twice on Sundays.
When I turned up the speed and started attacking, Bugller really showed how effective it can be. The low, driving shots dip over the net and rocket towards the back line, daring the recipient to try and block it back. Attempts to do so will result in quizzical looks at their rubber searching for sweat on their paddle, a wet ball mark, anything to explain how they just blocked the ball so short onto their own side of the table.
Despite all this, Bugller is also capable of good touch around the net. Again, I think this is a result of the firmer sponge not allowing the ball to sink in on slow strokes/pushes. Because of this, little differences in paddle angle and racket speed at contact can give great spin variation.
To be clear, this rubber is not for the faint of heart or the uninitiated; if you’re interested in trying out some pips for the first time, I wouldn’t recommend starting here. BUT, if you like playing points that get a little weird and you’re willing to put in some time to get fully adjusted, this can be a great weapon. And really, who doesn’t like getting a little weird every now and then? 🙂
