Nittaku Hammond FA

Nittaku Hammond FA is a high-quality short pips-out table tennis rubber, developed and manufactured in Japan, designed for fast, offensive close-to-the-table play. Approved by the ITTF and JTTA, its main strengths are high speed (12.75/20) and excellent ball control enabled by its lightweight construction and Nittaku’s “Energy Intensive” system. Hammond FA is the short pips version of the popular Hammond series, optimized for maximum energy transfer to the ball, delivering powerful hits while maintaining excellent control. With a medium-hard sponge (35°, close to 40° on the ESN scale) and flexible pips, it offers balanced spin (7/20) for the short pips category, making it ideal for players emphasizing fast flat hits (smashes), blocks, and counterattacks at the table. Thanks to its light weight (~28 g cut) and reduced sensitivity to incoming spin, Hammond FA suits both beginners transitioning to short pips and advanced attackers seeking a balance of speed and control.

Key features:

• Rubber type: Short pips-out
• Speed: 12.75/20
• Spin: 7/20
• Control: 14/20 (approx., Nittaku scale)
• Sponge hardness: 35° (medium-hard, close to 40° on ESN scale)
• Sponge thickness: 1.2 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.8 mm, 2.0 mm, MAX
• Colors: Red, black
• Country of origin: Japan
• Approvals: ITTF and JTTA approved
• Weight: ~42 g (uncut, 180x170 mm), ~28 g (cut, 157x150 mm)
• Technologies: “Energy Intensive” system, lightweight design
• Category: Offensive (OF)

Nittaku Hammond FA features a construction combining a lightweight, elastic sponge with short pips optimized for fast close-to-table play:

• Sponge (35°): The medium-hard “Energy Intensive” sponge (35° Nittaku scale, close to 40° ESN) is designed for maximum energy transfer to the ball, ensuring high speed and good control. Compared to Nittaku Hayate 44 (22.5°), Hammond FA’s sponge is harder, offering less “catapult effect” but more control and stability, especially in blocking and flat hitting. Compared to Nittaku Hammond Z2 (medium-hard+, ~45°), the sponge is softer, thus more forgiving and easier to handle for beginners or intermediate players. The fine-pored sponge structure provides a “lively” feeling, suitable for fast strokes close to the table.

• Top sheet and pip geometry: Hammond FA has short, vertically aligned pips with a grippy surface on a thin, elastic top sheet. This construction provides balanced spin (7/20) for a short pips rubber, suitable for pushes, serves, and light topspin shots. Compared to Nittaku Hayate 44 (spin 13.5/20), Hammond FA generates less spin but is less sensitive to incoming spin, making it great for blocking and countering. Compared to Nittaku Moristo SP (spin 8.5/20), Hammond FA offers slightly less spin but more speed and control. The top sheet is optimized for plastic 40+ balls, ensuring stable grip.

• “Energy Intensive” system: This Nittaku technology enhances energy transfer during impact, giving the rubber high speed (12.75/20) and power without the need for strong boosters. It provides a “sharp” hitting feel, allowing players to precisely regulate power, especially in flat hits and blocks. Compared to Nittaku Moristo 44, Hammond FA offers more control and less “catapult effect,” making it easier to handle.

• Lightweight: Hammond FA is extremely light (~28 g cut), lighter than Moristo SP (~31 g) or Yasaka Rakza PO (~35 g). This lightness allows pairing with heavier blades like the Butterfly Timo Boll ALC without losing racket balance, providing a quick racket feel, ideal for offensive play.

The rubber is available in five thicknesses:
• 1.2 mm and 1.4 mm – for control and short game
• 1.8 mm – for balanced play
• 2.0 mm – for all-around attacking
• MAX – for aggressive flat hits and close-to-table attacks

Colors – red and black – meet ITTF standards. Nittaku recommends using water-based glues like Nittaku Fine Zip for assembly.

Technical specs and playing characteristics:

• Speed (12.75/20): Hammond FA is a fast rubber, suitable for flat hits, backhand and forehand attacks, and third-ball attacks. Compared to Nittaku Hayate 44 (16/20), it’s slightly slower but offers better control and stability. Compared to Nittaku Moristo SP (11/20), Hammond FA is faster, close to Yasaka Rakza PO (12.5/20). The “Energy Intensive” system provides a sufficient “catapult effect,” ideal for fast close-to-table hits.

• Spin (7/20): Due to its short pips design, Hammond FA produces limited but sufficient spin for a short pips rubber, effective for light topspins, serves, and pushes. Compared to Hayate 44 (13.5/20), spin is much lower, but the rubber is less sensitive to incoming spin, making it ideal for blocking and countering. Spin is close to Moristo SP (8.5/20) but more focused on speed and control.

• Control (14/20): The medium-hard sponge (35°) and flexible pips ensure high control, especially in blocking, short pushes, and precision shots. Compared to Hayate 44, Hammond FA is more forgiving, thus suitable for a broader range of players, including beginners transitioning to short pips and intermediate players. Compared to Nittaku Moristo DF, it offers less spin but more speed and stability.

• Trajectory: Low, flat, and slightly unpredictable trajectory, ideal for flat hits, blocks, and fast close-to-table attacks. Compared to inverted rubbers like Nittaku Hammond Z2 (arc 63/100), Hammond FA offers a straighter trajectory, making it less suitable for mid-distance play but perfect for aggressive close-range shots.

Game aspects:

• Flat hits (smashing): Hammond FA is extremely effective for flat hits (9.4/10), generating fast, unpredictable trajectories suitable for both forehand and backhand. Thanks to the “Energy Intensive” system, hits are powerful and accurate.

• Driving: The rubber supports fast backhand and forehand drives (9.2/10), offering high speed and sufficient spin. The trajectory is flat, putting pressure on the opponent. Compared to Moristo SP, Hammond FA is faster and easier to control.

• Blocking: Blocks against topspin are fast, flat, and stable (9.3/10). The medium-hard sponge reduces sensitivity to incoming spin, making the rubber forgiving even when blocking strong topspin shots. Compared to Hayate 44, Hammond FA offers more control.

• Pushing: Long pushes are controlled (8.8/10), with moderate spin, but due to the speed and elasticity require precise touch. Short pushes and touch shots are high quality (9.1/10), as the rubber becomes “deader” on low-impact shots, ensuring stability in the short game.

Flick strokes: Hammond FA is suitable for banana flicks and regular flicks (8.9/10), especially on the backhand side, due to its excellent balance of speed and control. The grippy short pips surface provides good contact on the ball, while the medium sponge hardness allows precise ball placement during quick wrist movements.

Service: While the spin is somewhat limited (7/20), the rubber allows for decent variation in serves (8.2/10). The lower sensitivity to incoming spin makes it easier to control serve returns and keep the serve game unpredictable.

Counter-attacking: Hammond FA is highly efficient in counter-attacking scenarios (9.3/10), especially near the table. Its fast and flat trajectory, combined with high control and low sensitivity to spin, makes it ideal for fast-paced rallies and turning defense into offense quickly.

Topspin: Although not designed for heavy topspin play, Hammond FA allows for light topspin strokes (7.5/10), particularly in the form of quick brush strokes close to the table. Compared to inverted rubbers, the spin is lower, but sufficient for variation and to keep the opponent off balance.

Summary

Nittaku Hammond FA is a high-performance short pips rubber crafted in Japan for offensive players who emphasize speed, precision, and close-to-the-table play. With a medium sponge hardness, flexible pips, and lightweight construction, it offers:

• High speed (12.75/20)
• Balanced control (14/20)
• Moderate spin for a short pips rubber (7/20)
• Low sensitivity to incoming spin, ideal for blocking and countering
• Exceptional for flat hits, smashes, flicks, and fast blocks
• Lightweight (~28g cut) – suitable for pairing with heavier blades

It is recommended for intermediate to advanced offensive players, as well as beginners transitioning to short pips. The rubber is available in red and black, in sponge thicknesses of 1.2 mm to MAX, and is ITTF and JTTA approved for official competitions.

Whether you're looking to add speed to your game or gain more control in fast rallies, Nittaku Hammond FA provides a precise, dynamic playing experience without sacrificing stability.