Newgy Industries Robo-Pong 2040+ Owner's Manual page 9

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 7).
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 Sidespin is
selected, the robot will deliver a ball containing both top-
spin and sidespin. Likewise, if the arrow between Backspin
and Sidespin is selected, the robot will deliver a combina-
tion backspin/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 Chapter 7 of the T
M which is included with your Robo-Pong 2040+ if
anual
bought in the U.S., or available separately.
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 8.)
FIGURE 7
raining
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
SPIN SELECTION
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.
Contact the top surface of the ball. (See Figure 8A.)
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
upward as you push your paddle straight forward. Contact
the bottom surface of the ball. (See Figure 8B.)
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 8C &8D.)
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 increased by turning up the Ball Speed knob
on the Control Box. You increase both the speed and spin
on the ball every time you turn up the Ball Speed knob. 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 approxi-
mately 4–5.
RETURN SHOT
TOPSPIN
A
SIDE VIEW
LEFT SIDESPIN
C
TOP VIEW
FIGURE 8
9
RETURN SHOT
BACKSPIN
B
SIDE VIEW
RIGHT SIDESPIN
D
TOP VIEW
PADDLE ANGLE ADJUSTMENTS
FOR VARIOUS SPINS