Nittaku Hammond Z2

Nittaku Hammond Z2 – High-End Offensive Rubber Made in Japan
Released in 2022, Nittaku Hammond Z2 is one of the newest high-class offensive table tennis rubbers with pimples-in, designed and manufactured in Japan to meet the demands of top-level players. Approved by the ITTF and JTTA, the main advantages of this rubber are its extremely high speed (99/100, 16.5/20 on the Nittaku scale) and strong spin (93/100, 15.5/20 on the Nittaku scale), provided by the hard “Bulkhead Sponge” and the highly grippy “Natural Rich Sheet” topsheet. Hammond Z2 has become one of the most popular rubbers worldwide among offensive players due to its balance of power, spin, and control, making it an ideal choice for advanced attackers with 3–10+ years of playing experience. This rubber is particularly suited for the forehand side, excelling in topspin shots, counterattacks, blocks, and flat smashes. Compared to similar rubbers such as Butterfly Tenergy 05, Hammond Z2 is less “bouncy,” making it easier to control when receiving serves and during short play near the net. The “ZC” sponge technology and high natural rubber content in the topsheet ensure a dynamic stroke feeling, allowing players to dominate both at the table and from close-to-mid distance.

Key Features:
• Rubber Type: Pimples-in
• Speed: 99/100 (16.5/20 on the Nittaku scale)
• Spin: 93/100 (15.5/20 on the Nittaku scale)
• Control: 71/100 (11.8/20 on the Nittaku scale)
• Sponge Hardness: Medium-hard+ (approx. 45° ESN scale)
• Sponge Thickness: 1.4 mm, 1.8 mm, 2.0 mm, MAX
• Colors: Red, Black
• Country of Origin: Japan
• Approvals: ITTF and JTTA approved
• Weight: ~48 g (uncut, 180x170 mm), ~35 g (cut, 157x150 mm)
• Technologies: Bulkhead Sponge, ZC sponge tech, high natural rubber content topsheet
• Category: Offensive (OFF/OFF+)

Construction & Play Characteristics:
Nittaku Hammond Z2 features a modern construction that combines a hard, catapult-enhancing sponge and a highly grippy topsheet, ensuring an exceptional balance of speed, spin, and power:

Sponge (Medium-Hard+):
The Bulkhead Sponge, enhanced with ZC technology, is medium-hard+ (approx. 45° ESN), engineered to minimize energy loss during strokes and increase ball rebound. Compared to Nittaku Hammond Z2 Special Version (35°), the Hammond Z2 sponge is harder, offering more power and speed, especially in topspins and counterattacks. Compared to Tenergy 05 (36°), it is firmer but provides a stronger catapult effect, ideal for aggressive strokes. Its fine-pored structure strongly conveys blade feedback, giving a “sharp” feel suited to the forehand side.

Top Sheet:
The highly grippy “Natural Rich Sheet” topsheet, with a high percentage of natural rubber, delivers excellent ball grip and high spin generation (15.5/20), especially in topspins, serves, and banana flicks. Compared to Nittaku Hurricane Pro 3 (15/20), Hammond Z2 is less sensitive to incoming spin, making it easier to control in blocking and serve receive. Compared to Nittaku Magic Carbon (spin 9.25/20), its spin is significantly higher, closer to Tenergy 05 (61/100). This topsheet performs excellently with the plastic 40+ ball, ensuring stable grip and precision.

Bulkhead Sponge & ZC Technology:
These technologies reduce energy loss and enhance sponge elasticity, providing extra speed (16.5/20) and power. The ZC sponge system ensures a dynamic impact feel, allowing the player to precisely control power and spin, especially for powerful topspins, counterattacks, and smashes. Compared to Hurricane Pro 3 Turbo Blue, Hammond Z2 offers more speed and less sensitivity to incoming spin, making it easier to control.

Weight:
Hammond Z2 is a medium-weight rubber (~35 g cut), similar in weight to Tenergy 05 (~37 g), but heavier than Moristo SP (~31 g). This makes it compatible with various blades, but best suited for lighter or medium-weight blades like Nittaku Violin to maintain balance.

Sponge Thickness Options:
1.4 mm and 1.8 mm – for control and balanced play
2.0 mm – for all-round offensive shots
MAX – for aggressive topspin and flat shots, providing maximum speed and power
Colors – red and black – comply with ITTF standards. Nittaku recommends water-based glues such as Nittaku Fine Zip for mounting.

Technical Ratings & Playing Characteristics:

Speed (99/100, 16.5/20):
Hammond Z2 is an extremely fast rubber, ideal for powerful topspins, flat smashes, and third-ball attacks. Compared to Nittaku Hurricane Pro 3 Turbo Blue (15/20), the speed is higher, close to Nittaku Hayate 44 (16/20). Bulkhead Sponge and ZC technology deliver a strong catapult effect, enabling dominance both close to the table and from mid-distance. However, precision is required to avoid overhitting.

Spin (93/100, 15.5/20):
Thanks to the ultra-grippy topsheet with high natural rubber content, this rubber generates exceptional spin, especially in topspins, serves, banana flicks, and counterattacks. Compared to Hurricane Pro 3 Turbo Blue (15.5/20), the spin is similar, but Hammond Z2 is less sensitive to incoming spin, making blocking easier. Spin is close to Tenergy 05 (61/100) but offers more power.

Control (71/100, 11.8/20):
The hard sponge and grippy topsheet provide good control for technically skilled players, especially in topspins, blocking, and short play. Compared to the softer Hammond Z2 Special Version, Hammond Z2 is less forgiving but offers more power and speed. Compared to Tenergy 05, it is less bouncy, making serve receive and short play easier to manage.

Trajectory:
Curved, high trajectory in topspins, ideal for attacking and spin-focused techniques. In blocking, the trajectory is straighter, suitable for stable blocks at the table. Compared to short-pip rubbers like Hayate 44, Hammond Z2 offers an arcing trajectory, suitable for play both at the table and from close-to-mid distance.

Play Aspects:

Attacking (driving):
Hammond Z2 is highly effective for topspin attacks (9.6/10) and counterattacks (9.6/10), especially on the forehand side, producing powerful strokes with strong spin. Excellent for third-ball attacks and countering backspin from close and mid-range.

Blocking:
Blocks against topspin are stable and precise (9.3/10) due to reduced sensitivity to incoming spin. The rubber supports both passive and active blocks, especially on the forehand side, and is easier to control than tacky Chinese rubbers like Hurricane Pro 3.

Pushing:
Long pushes (9.0/10) are grippy and generate strong backspin, making it harder for the opponent to attack. Short pushes (9.2/10) are very precise and suitable for short play at the table due to the hard but controlled sponge.

Flicks:
Banana flicks (9.4/10) are highly effective, especially for spinning over backspin balls, thanks to the grippy topsheet and fast sponge.