Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard is a high-quality offensive table tennis rubber developed by Japanese manufacturer Yasaka, combining the sticky top sheet of Rakza Z with an extra hard (~55°) "Power Sponge" to deliver maximum power transfer and phenomenal spin. ITTF-approved, this rubber features a sticky surface that "grabs" the ball, paired with a hard sponge that provides stability and powerful shots. In max thickness, Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard 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 aggressive players seeking to dominate with powerful loop drives, heavy spin and stable play in fast rallies. The rubber stands out with its high arc trajectory, excellent stability and durability, making it suitable for both close-to-table play and mid-distance rallies. Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard - it's power, spin and stable attack!

Key Features:

• Rubber Type: Inverted (Sticky & Inverted)

• Sponge Hardness: Extra Hard (~55°)

• Sponge Thickness: 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 (Extra Hard)

• Color: Red, Black (top sheet)

• Country of Origin: Japan

• Certifications: ITTF-approved

• Suitability: Forehand loop drives, powerful topspin shots, counter-loop attacks, stable blocking, close-to-table and mid-distance play

Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard stands out with its sticky surface, extra hard sponge and high trajectory, making it ideal for aggressive players seeking maximum power and spin:

Top Sheet Composition: The sticky surface, inherited from Rakza Z and created using a new manufacturing process, provides phenomenal grip that generates heavy spin during loop drives, topspin shots and serves. The surface effectively "grabs" the ball, ensuring precision and strong spin, especially with plastic balls. Compared to Yasaka Rakza Z (~50° sponge, ~10.5/20 speed), Rakza Z Extra Hard offers similar speed (~10.5/20), spin (~11.5/20) and control (~7.9/20), but greater stability and power transfer due to harder sponge.

Sponge: The extra hard (~55°) "Power Sponge" ensures maximum energy transfer, allowing powerful shots without energy loss, especially when hitting hard. The sponge has less catapult effect than Rakza Z, making it easier to control fast shots. Compared to Yasaka Rakza 9 (~42.5° sponge, ~11.4/20 speed), Rakza Z Extra Hard offers slightly lower speed (~10.5/20 vs ~11.4/20) but similar spin (~11.5/20 vs ~10.6/20) and greater stability. Compared to DHS Hurricane 3 Neo (~40° sponge, ~15.5/20 spin), Rakza Z Extra Hard offers less spin but higher trajectory and more stable handling in fast rallies.

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

Spin and Trajectory: The sticky surface and hard sponge ensure high arc trajectory (9.5/10), facilitating loop drives, topspin shots and opening shots against backspin balls. The rubber is extremely effective against low balls, making it suitable for aggressive opening shots. Compared to Yasaka Rakza Z (9.5/10 trajectory), Rakza Z Extra Hard offers similar trajectory but greater stability in fast rallies. Compared to XIOM Vega X (~47.5° sponge, ~16.1/20 spin), Rakza Z Extra Hard offers less spin but more stable control and higher trajectory.

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

Technical Specifications and Playing Characteristics:

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

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

Spin (92/100, ~11.5/20): The sticky surface generates phenomenal 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 stability in fast rallies is higher. Compared to DHS Hurricane 3 Neo (~15.5/20 spin), spin is lower but trajectory is higher and handling more stable.

Trajectory (9.5/10): High arc trajectory facilitating loop drives, topspin shots and opening shots against low balls. Compared to Yasaka Rakza 9 (8.8/10 trajectory), Rakza Z Extra Hard offers higher trajectory, making attacks against backspin easier. When blocking, the trajectory is stable, suitable for active blocks in fast rallies.

Sponge Thickness: Max thickness enhances power effect, ideal for powerful loop drives and counter-attacks.

Gameplay Aspects:

Topspin Shots (9.7/10): 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 phenomenal spin and high trajectory. Suitable for opening shots and powerful counter-attack rallies.

Blocking (9.2/10): Effective in blocking topspin shots close to table, especially on forehand side, due to hard sponge stability and sticky surface precision.

Push Shots (9.2/10): Allows precise pushes against backspin or dead balls, especially due to sticky surface's spin potential.

Counter-Hitting (9.4/10): Extremely effective for fast counter-attacks close to table and from mid-distance, especially due to Power Sponge stability and linear power increase.

Smashing (9.0/10): 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 stability.

Flick Shots (9.5/10): Banana flicks are easily executed thanks to sticky surface and hard sponge, ensuring accuracy and strong spin.

Compatibility with Blades:

Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard pairs well with fast and medium-speed blades that complement its spin, power and stability:

• 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 stability, 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 Extra Hard in max thickness on forehand side with fast blades (e.g. Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC) to maintain racket balance and maximize spin and power potential. Due to rubber's weight (heavier than other Rakza series rubbers), it's important to choose lighter blades to keep the racket balanced.

Additional Information:

Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard is a harder version of Rakza Z, developed with sticky surface and extra hard Power Sponge that ensures maximum energy transfer and stability. Compared to Yasaka Rakza Z (~50° sponge, ~10.5/20 speed), Rakza Z Extra Hard offers similar speed, spin and control but greater stability in fast rallies due to harder sponge. Compared to XIOM Vega Asia (~47.5° sponge, ~16.3/20 speed), Rakza Z Extra Hard offers lower speed but similar spin and more stable control in fast shots. Users highlight the rubber's "phenomenal spin", "stability in fast rallies" and "excellent opening shot potential", 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 Extra Hard is suitable for high-level competitions and ideal for players seeking rubber with heavy spin, power and stability.

Who is Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard For?

Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard is designed for players seeking spin, power and stability:

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

• Aggressive Looping Attackers: Emphasizing powerful topspin shots, loop drives and counter-loop attacks.

• Close-to and Mid-Distance Play: Effective for loop drives, topspin shots, blocks 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 and Stability: Optimal for those wanting rubber with high trajectory and strong catapult effect in fast rallies.

Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard Advantages:

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

• Control (7.9/20): Good control, especially in serves, passive returns and blocks in fast rallies.

• Spin (11.5/20): Phenomenal 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 exceptional grip and spin.

• Power Sponge (Extra Hard): Ensures maximum energy transfer and stability in fast rallies.

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

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

Compared to Yasaka Rakza Z, Rakza Z Extra Hard offers similar speed and spin but greater stability in fast rallies due to harder sponge. Compared to Butterfly Tenergy 05, the rubber offers less spin but more stable control in fast shots and higher trajectory. Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard is ITTF-approved, suitable for high-level competitions, especially for players emphasizing spin, power and stability. Its Sticky Topsheet and Power Sponge technologies ensure exceptional performance and feeling. Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard - it's power, spin and stable attack!

Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard

Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard

Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard