BLACKOUT ANTI enables aggressive shots.
I used to use Nittaku "Best Anti" (1.3 mm) on my backhand, and it did exactly what I wanted—specifically, allowing me to execute aggressive shots like fast drives.
For 30 years, I hadn't taken an interest in other anti-spin rubbers. Whenever I thought about frictionless anti-spin rubbers, I was convinced that playing with them wouldn't suit my style at all.
Sauer & Tröger "BLACKOUT ANTI" caught my eye because of its "dead" speed, and I bought and glued it (1.5 mm).
While bouncing the ball on the racket at home, I began to have doubts—
wondering if I’d even have my own power to get the ball over the net, since it barely seemed to rebound off the rubber at all.
I used the "BLACKOUT ANTI" for just one practice session, but I didn't like its high level of grip—friction—on the ball.
But after watching four YouTube video linked below, I decided to give it another try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcbQpD_Sg7k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3l5MmBEalg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDjLebS5xaU&t=382s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkcjjysqhGA
In just two weeks of training, I mastered the following:
1 I can serve balls that land less than 10 inches over the net.
I was thrilled when I served two of these in a row against a 2000-rated player, and he didn't even reach for the ball.
2 I mastered fast drives with amazing control—using almost the same technique whether playing against pushes or drives.
3 It turned out that the "BLACKOUT ANTI" made me more successful at returning fast, long serves to my backhand.
Furthermore, I’m confident that there is more to this rubber than just these benefits—that there is still more to discover, master, and put into games.
However, I really want to execute backhand pushes with minimal underspin, something I haven't managed to do yet.
And I realized that for me, this rubber isn't just a rubber—it’s a weapon that responds to my commands better than "Best Anti" does.
If your anti-spin playing style is similar to mine, you definitely need to check out "BLACKOUT ANTI"!
P.S.
I invite you to check out my in-depth analysis of ten table tennis grips:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXgfUAboK7U