Friendship/729 Highpoint

While I would not recommend this rubber for modern play, I do have an old sheet that I glue for players who have trouble with their backhand, particularly those struggling with arching the ball and not understanding their stroke. This rubber resolves that issue and helps them learn how to brush over the ball effectively.

High Point features one of the lowest arcs I’ve tested and is rated highly on TableTennisDB. It is not particularly fast, and the feel in terms of hardness is medium to soft. I have actually played successfully with it on my forehand, and it produces some of the meanest low arc power loops.

This rubber is great for smashes and serve returns due to its low sensitivity to spin. It also assists with pushing, preventing the ball from popping up and leaving you vulnerable to counterattacks. The white sponge has a unique rubbery feel and responds well to two coats of lamp oil, though it still doesn’t improve speed anywhere near that of ESN rubbers.

I wish Friendship would produce more non-tacky alternatives because options like Battle 1, Aurora, Focus, and High Point are insufficient for a decent variety. Furthermore, they are all too soft or produce a very low throw. As for availability, I don’t think this rubber is for sale anywhere currently. The last time I saw it on eBay, the price was between 20 to 24 euros, which is quite pricey compared to what you can get from brands like Tibhar, Donic, Joola, and others.

While this table tennis rubber is fast, it lacks the ability to generate significant spin. Overall, the performance is impressive in terms of speed, but players looking for enhanced spin may find it unsatisfactory.

It has great control and is good for fast players. However, it is not suitable for serving and using pimples.

Not as fast as I expected. I had the 2.2mm rubber on my forehand, paired with a very fast Milky Way T4 blade. It produces a very low arc and hardly any second kick when bouncing off the opponent’s side.

I thought the 729 Faster, featuring the blue Transcend sponge, was a bit faster. However, this rubber was also used on an OFF+ blade, and it still lacked speed.

Table Tennis Rubber Review: High Point

Serve and Return: Despite its seemingly straightforward grippy topsheet, serves are often underestimated. The rubber offers a wide repertoire of spin options, and due to its flat throw angle, most serves are highly effective. The relatively flat trajectory makes aggressive returns challenging. It is advisable to play a short ball initially and follow up with a topspin. Additionally, pushes made with a significant wrist movement generate substantial spin, making them difficult to loop.

Block, Counter, and Smash: One of the strengths of this rubber lies in its safe execution of spinless strokes. Compared to sticky surfaces, these strokes are both safe and powerful. Players accustomed to Chinese rubbers will appreciate the qualities of High Point. Like many Asian rubbers, it requires a good touch and keen eye to judge incoming balls accurately. When the ball is high enough, executing a powerful blow with this surface brings immense satisfaction.

Loop and Counterloop: While the rubber provides good opportunities for spinless balls, its true strengths emerge in a spin-heavy game. Due to its flat trajectory, opening up against heavy spin can be challenging; thus, finesse is needed over brute strength. With significant racket acceleration, many opponents are caught off guard by the fast loops. They often find that the ball drops quickly due to the extreme spin after its contact with the table, leading to many quick points. The rubber’s best quality is its ability to counterloop effectively. Thanks to its relative insensitivity to spin, one can counterloop exceptionally well at the table.

Push and Chop: As noted earlier, this rubber allows for a wide variety of shots. Flat pushes can generate significant backspin, while a steeper racket angle can create nearly spin-less ball trajectories. Although the rubber is primarily offensive, it also performs admirably for defensive shots from mid-distance. Maintaining backspin requires minimal wrist movement, despite the initial impression of needing substantial wrist action.

Stroke Ratings:

• Loops: 4
• Counter topspin: 4+
• Hard topspin: 5
• Block: 4+
• Counter: 5
• Smash: 5
• Serve and return: 5
• Push: 4+
• Defense: 4

Conclusion: Based on the evaluations provided, the High Point rubber is well-suited for players who prefer striking the ball at the peak of its arc. Ultimately, this surface is ideal for close-to-the-table play or mid-distance tactics. Enjoy this wonderful rubber!