16
BALL SPIN (ALL MODELS)
Robo-Pong robots are capable of putting any type of spin
on the ball. Topspin, backspin, sidespin, and even combina-
tion spins can easily be selected. To change the spin, simply
rotate the head of the robot until the desired spin is at the
top of the Ball Discharge Hole (see Figure 6).
For combination spins, move the head until one of the
rotational arrows is at the top of the Ball Discharge Hole.
For instance, if the arrow between Topspin and R. Sidespin
is selected, the robot will deliver a ball containing both top-
spin and right sidespin. Likewise, if the arrow between
Backspin and L. Sidespin is selected, the robot will deliver
a combination backspin/left sidespin ball.
Before discussing how to return spins, it's important to
know that your robot simulates the play of a modern table
tennis professional using inverted sponge rubber. With
Robo-Pong robots, there is always some kind of spin on the
ball. To learn how to produce your own spin and return an
opponent’s (or the robot’s) spin, it is important to use the
correct equipment—a quality inverted or pips out sponge
rubber racket. Using old-style paddles such as hard rubber
or sandpaper will make it more difficult to control spin.
Each spin has a different effect on the ball and how the
ball reacts when you strike it with your paddle. Following
are some brief pointers to help you return the different
spins. More detail is available in the n
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which is included with your robot if
bought in the U.S., or as a download from Newgy.com.
The secret to returning spin is to angle your paddle
correctly when contacting the ball. Any spin can easily be
returned if you angle your paddle properly. Set your pad-
dle angle at the beginning of your stroke and maintain the
same angle until your stroke ends. Avoid changing your
paddle angle during your stroke (see Figure 7).
Topspin causes the ball to dip downward as it travels
through the air. When you strike the ball with your paddle,
it has a tendency to pop up high in the air. To compensate
for topspin, angle your paddle face down as you stroke
through the ball in a forward and upward direction. Con-
tact the top surface of the ball (see Figure 7A).
Backspin causes the ball to rise upward and float as it
travels through the air. When you strike the ball with your
paddle, it has a tendency to go straight down into the table.
To compensate for backspin, angle your paddle face up -
ward as you push your paddle straight forward. Contact
the bottom surface of the ball (see Figure 7B).
Sidespin makes the ball curve sideways through the
air. Left sidespin makes the ball rebound off your paddle to
your right; right sidespin to the left. To compensate for left
sidespin, angle the paddle face to the left and contact the
right side of the ball. To compensate for right sidespin,
angle your paddle face to the right and contact the left sur-
face of the ball (see Figures 7C &7D).
Combination spins take on the characteristics of both
spins, although to a lesser degree than the pure spins. To
compensate for topspin/right sidespin, you must angle
your paddle face down and to the right and contact the top
left surface of the ball. Likewise, a backspin/left sidespin
ball is best returned by angling your paddle face up and to
the left and contacting the ball on its bottom right surface.
Spins are intensified by increasing the Ball Speed (see
page 7). You intensify both speed and spin every time you
turn up BALL SPEED. It is not possible to adjust Robo-
Pong robots to deliver a slow ball with lots of spin, for
instance. It is also impossible for Robo-Pong robots to
deliver a no-spin ball. Additionally, since backspin causes
the ball to rise, the maximum setting for BALL SPEED
when the robot is set on Backspin is approximately 15–17.
Rotate Head So
Desired Spin Is
Listed In Upright
Position
CAUTION:
Do Not Twist Power
Cord Around Head.
Rotate No More
Than 180° In Either
Direction From
Position Shown
FIGURE 6
PADDLE ANGLE ADJUSTMENTS
FOR VARIOUS SPINS
FIGURE 7
A
B
C
D
SPIN SELECTION
