Yasaka Rakza Z is a high-quality offensive table tennis rubber developed by Japanese manufacturer Yasaka, combining European and Chinese characteristics to offer exceptional spin, power and control. ITTF-approved, this rubber features a sticky top sheet combined with a hard (~50°) "Power Sponge" that ensures strong ball "grabbing" and powerful shots. Available in 2.0 mm or max thickness, Yasaka Rakza Z boasts balanced speed (84/100, ~10.5/20), exceptional spin (92/100, ~11.5/20) and good control (63/100, ~7.9/20), making it an ideal choice for forehand loop drives and attacking players seeking to dominate with heavy spin and powerful shots. The rubber stands out with its high arc trajectory, strong catapult effect and excellent short game control, making it suitable for both close-to-table play and mid-distance rallies. Yasaka Rakza Z - it's spin, power and controlled attack!

Key Features:

• Rubber Type: Inverted (Sticky & Inverted)

• Sponge Hardness: Hard (~50°)

• Sponge Thickness: 2.0 mm, Max

• Speed: 84/100 (~10.5/20 on general scale)

• Control: 63/100 (~7.9/20 on general scale)

• Spin: 92/100 (~11.5/20 on general scale)

• Top Sheet Characteristics: Sticky surface, exceptional grip, high arc trajectory, strong ball "grabbing"

• Technologies: Sticky Topsheet, Power Sponge

• Color: Red, Black (top sheet)

• Country of Origin: Japan

• Certifications: ITTF-approved

• Suitability: Forehand loop drives, powerful topspin shots, short game, serves, close-to-table and mid-distance play

Yasaka Rakza Z stands out with its sticky surface, hard sponge and high trajectory, making it ideal for attacking players seeking to dominate with heavy spin:

Top Sheet Composition: The sticky surface, created using a new manufacturing process, provides exceptional grip that generates phenomenal spin during loop drives, topspin shots and serves. The surface "grabs" the ball, ensuring strong spin and precision, especially with plastic balls. Compared to Yasaka Rakza 9 (~42.5° sponge, ~11.4/20 speed), Rakza Z offers slightly lower speed (~10.5/20) but higher spin (~11.5/20 vs ~10.6/20) and slightly better control (~7.9/20 vs ~7.5/20).

Sponge: The hard (~50°) "Power Sponge" provides linear power increase, allowing powerful shots when hitting hard. The sponge offers strong catapult effect that is controlled and suitable for loop drives and counter-attacks. Compared to Yasaka Rakza X Soft (~42.5° sponge, ~10.5/20 speed), Rakza Z sponge is harder, offering similar speed but higher spin (~11.5/20 vs ~11.0/20) and slightly less control (~7.9/20 vs ~9.3/20). Compared to DHS Hurricane 3 Neo (~40° sponge, ~15.5/20 spin), Rakza Z offers less spin but easier handling and higher trajectory.

Sticky Topsheet and Power Sponge Technologies: The sticky surface and hard sponge create a unique hybrid construction combining European speed and Chinese spin. The high arc trajectory makes shots over the net easier, increasing success rate, while Power Sponge ensures powerful shot feeling. Compared to Butterfly Tenergy 05 (~36° sponge, ~15.0/20 spin), Rakza Z offers less spin but similar speed and easier handling in short game.

Spin and Trajectory: The sticky surface and Power Sponge ensure high arc trajectory (9.5/10), facilitating loop drives, topspin shots and opening shots against half-long or low balls. The rubber is effective against backspin balls, making it suitable for opening shots. Compared to Yasaka Rakza X Soft (9.5/10 trajectory), Rakza Z offers similar trajectory but higher spin. Compared to XIOM Vega X (~47.5° sponge, ~16.1/20 spin), Rakza Z offers less spin but higher trajectory and easier handling.

Control: Thanks to the sticky surface and hard sponge, the rubber provides good control, especially in short game, serves and passive returns. Compared to Yasaka Rakza 7 (~42.5° sponge, ~8.0/20 control), Rakza Z offers slightly less control (~7.9/20) but higher spin and power.

Technical Specifications and Playing Characteristics:

Speed (84/100, ~10.5/20): Yasaka Rakza Z is a medium-speed rubber suitable for loop drives, topspin shots and counter-attacks close to table or from mid-distance. The Power Sponge provides linear power increase, allowing powerful shots when hitting hard. Compared to Yasaka Rakza 9 (~11.4/20 speed), Rakza Z is slightly slower but more controllable. Compared to Nittaku Fastarc G-1 (~13.9/20 speed), speed is lower but spin and trajectory are competitive.

Control (63/100, ~7.9/20): The sticky surface and hard sponge provide good control, especially in short game, serves and passive returns. Compared to Yasaka Mark V (~8.8/20 control), Rakza Z offers less control but higher spin and power. Compared to Butterfly Tenergy 05 (~12.0/20 control), control is lower but handling is easier in short game.

Spin (92/100, ~11.5/20): The sticky surface generates exceptional spin, especially during loop drives, topspin shots and serves, with strong catapult effect. Compared to XIOM Vega X (~16.1/20 spin), spin is lower but handling is easier. Compared to DHS Hurricane 3 Neo (~15.5/20 spin), spin is lower but trajectory is higher and handling easier.

Trajectory (9.5/10): High arc trajectory facilitating loop drives, topspin shots and opening shots against low balls. Compared to Yasaka Rakza 7 (9.0/10 trajectory), Rakza Z offers higher trajectory, making attacks against backspin easier. When blocking, the trajectory is stable, suitable for passive and active blocks.

Sponge Thickness: 2.0 mm suits players seeking balanced speed and control, while max thickness enhances power effect, ideal for powerful loop drives.

Gameplay Aspects:

Topspin Shots (9.6/10): The rubber is extremely effective for topspin and loop drives, especially forehand strokes against backspin balls, thanks to sticky surface and hard sponge that ensure strong spin and high trajectory. Suitable for opening shots and powerful rallies.

Blocking (9.0/10): Effective in blocking topspin shots close to table, especially on forehand side, due to sticky surface stability and Power Sponge precision.

Push Shots (9.3/10): Allows precise pushes against backspin or dead balls, especially due to sticky surface's spin potential.

Counter-Hitting (9.2/10): Suitable for counter-attacks close to table and from mid-distance, especially due to Power Sponge's linear power increase.

Smashing (8.9/10): Effective for flat hits, though speed depends on player's hitting power, limiting maximum power compared to faster rubbers.

Serves & Receives (9.5/10): Allows extremely precise serve control, especially with sticky surface, and is effective in passive (9.5/10) and active (9.4/10) receives due to strong spin and control.

Flick Shots (9.4/10): Banana flicks are easily executed thanks to sticky surface and hard sponge, ensuring accuracy and strong spin.

Compatibility with Blades:

Yasaka Rakza Z pairs well with all-round and fast blades that complement its spin, power and high trajectory:

• Nittaku Eto 2025 Snake (~13.0/20 speed, OFF+): Enhances rubber's speed and spin, ideal for forehand side of aggressive loopers.

• Donic Skachkov Carbospeed (~13.1/20 speed, OFF+): Complements rubber's powerful catapult effect, suitable for forehand side of intense topspin players.

• DHS Q968 Hurricane King National (~12.9/20 speed, OFF+): Provides excellent speed-spin balance, suitable for forehand side.

• Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC (~12.8/20 speed, OFF+): Complements rubber's speed and spin, suitable for aggressive players.

• Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive (~11.5/20 speed, OFF): Ideal for players emphasizing spin and loop drives.

Recommended to use Rakza Z in 2.0 mm or max thickness on forehand side with fast blades (e.g. Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC) to maintain racket balance and maximize spin potential. Due to rubber's weight (heavier than most Rakza series rubbers), it's important to choose lighter blades to keep the racket balanced.

Additional Information:

Yasaka Rakza Z is the newest Rakza series rubber, developed with sticky surface and Power Sponge technology that combines European speed and Chinese spin for exceptional performance. Compared to Yasaka Rakza 7 (~42.5° sponge, ~10.5/20 speed), Rakza Z offers similar speed (~10.5/20), higher spin (~11.5/20 vs ~10.5/20) and slightly less control (~7.9/20 vs ~8.0/20), making it suitable for players seeking more spin and power. Compared to XIOM Vega Europe (~37.5° sponge, ~12.5/20 speed), Rakza Z offers lower speed but higher spin and trajectory, making it ideal for loop drives. Users highlight the rubber's "phenomenal spin", "excellent short game control" and "powerful catapult effect", though note its weight and limited catapult effect may challenge players preferring rubbers with strong bounce. The rubber is durable but requires regular cleaning with dedicated cleaner (e.g. Yasaka Rubber Cleaner) and protective film to prevent damage due to sticky surface. ITTF-approved, Yasaka Rakza Z is suitable for high-level competitions and ideal for players seeking rubber with heavy spin and controlled attack.

Who is Yasaka Rakza Z For?

Yasaka Rakza Z is designed for players seeking spin, power and controlled attack:

• Beginner and Advanced Players (1-10+ years experience): Looking for rubber with heavy spin and power, especially for forehand side.

• Looping Attackers: Emphasizing powerful topspin shots, loop drives and opening shots against low balls.

• Close-to and Mid-Distance Play: Effective for loop drives, topspin shots, short game and serves.

• Serves & Receives: Allows extremely precise serve control (9.5/10) and is effective in passive (9.5/10) and active (9.4/10) receives.

• Players Seeking Heavy Spin: Optimal for those wanting rubber with high trajectory and strong catapult effect.

Yasaka Rakza Z Advantages:

• Speed (10.5/20): Medium speed suitable for loop drives, topspin shots and counter-attacks.

• Control (7.9/20): Good control, especially in short game, serves and passive returns.

• Spin (11.5/20): Exceptional spin, especially during loop drives and serves, with strong catapult effect.

• Trajectory (9.5/10): High arc trajectory facilitating loop drives and attacks against backspin.

• Sticky Topsheet Technology: Provides phenomenal grip and spin.

• Power Sponge: Ensures linear power increase and powerful shot feeling.

• Durability: Sticky surface and hard sponge ensure long lifespan.

• High Quality: ITTF-approved, suitable for high-level competitions.

Compared to Yasaka Rakza 9, Rakza Z offers lower speed but higher spin and trajectory, making it ideal for loop drives. Compared to Butterfly Tenergy 05, the rubber offers less spin but higher trajectory and easier handling in short game. Yasaka Rakza Z is ITTF-approved, suitable for high-level competitions, especially for players emphasizing spin, power and controlled attack. Its Sticky Topsheet and Power Sponge technologies ensure exceptional performance and feeling. Yasaka Rakza Z - it's spin, power and controlled attack!

Yasaka Rakza Z

Yasaka Rakza Z

Yasaka Rakza Z