Tip 12 - Hit from Short Range

Don't hit more than the very occasional ball with the long pimples from more than 6-8 feet (2-3 meters) from the table. At that range the opponent has too much time to react and adjust to the ball, and will have much less trouble with it. Keep the hitting with long pimples for when you are closer to the table.

Tip 13 - Twice is Nice

Up to the advanced level, the use of the occasional 'double twiddle' can be a point winner.

Often your opponent will notice that you are twiddling, then concentrate on playing the ball. A second twiddle to bring the bat back to its original position can catch the unwary opponent off guard.

Tip 14 - Stick with what Works

Every so often, an attacker who cannot handle the long pimpled return of his attacks will try to out-push you instead. When this happens, resist the temptation to go mad with your offense. Keep to the strategy that got you on top - and look for the easy balls to put away. Don't let your opponent claw his way back into the match from your mistakes.

Tip 15 - Fight Fire with Fire

When you play an opponent who also uses long pimples, you need to find out fast whether you can adjust more quickly to the changes in spin from twiddling. If you can, make sure that you twiddle often and force the mistakes from your opponent. If your opponent is better at twiddling, minimize the amount of twiddling that you do, and stick to your best point-winning patterns only. Concentrate on reading the spin instead, and look for the easy balls to attack.

Tip 16 - Whatever Floats Your Boat

Opponents will often start to try to float the ball to your long pimples, knowing that you will not be able to generate much spin.

If you can hit with the long pimples, hit a couple just to let him know that he had better be careful with his placement and height. Remember to adjust the angle of your bat so that you don't pop the ball up in the air. And finally, don't forget to twiddle often so that you can hit the ball with the normal side - whether to push it or attack it. Keep the spin variation up with the normal side.

Tip 17 - Check the Net

Not the Internet, unless you are re-reading these articles! Check that the height and tension of the net is correct - don't let the attacker get the advantage of having a net lower or looser than normal.

Tip 18 - Serve it Up

Don't be afraid to throw in the odd serve with the long pimples. The best types of serves to use here are imitation sidespin serves, since the ball won't go in the same direction as it would if hit with the normal side. For example, the typical forehand pendulum serve to the opponent's mid-forehand with smooth rubber, will go next to the net on his backhand side if done with the same bat angle but with the long pimples. Don't believe me? Try it and see!

Tip 19 - Variety Is the Spice of Life

Feel free to keep changing aspects of your strokes all the time. A good long pimples player will change the length of his stroke, the speed of the stroke, the type of contact made, and the amount of wrist used as well as the side of his bat. One or more can be changed at any time. You will need to practice a lot to be able to change these factors and still have a consistent result, but it can be done and is very effective in causing the opponent to make a mistake.

Tip 20 - Deceive the Opponent, Not Yourself

Be aware of what the capabilities of your long pimples are. If you are using grippy long pimples, you should be using them to vary the spin by floating or brushing the ball by varying amounts at contact. If you are using the smooth, glassy type of long pimples, you will not be able to vary the spin as much, but you can still fool your opponent by changing your strokes to make him think you have varied the spin, when in fact you haven't.

Tip 21 - Safe Service Returns

When you are in doubt about the type of serve made by an opponent, you can use the long pimples to increase your chances of making a good return. Take advantage of the fact that long pimples are less affected by spin to return the serve to the middle of the table with them, and take note of the effect of the serve - did it kick up or go down, or go to the right or left? Remember this information and put it to good use when your opponent uses that serve again.
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