DONIC BARACUDA

Donic Baracuda – is an inverted table tennis rubber with pips-in, designed for attacking players (OFF-, OFF, OFF+) who emphasize topspin strokes and seek maximum spin. This rubber, featuring an extremely grippy topsheet and medium-hard sponge, offers exceptional spin, a high ball trajectory, and excellent control when attacking. Released in 2009, Baracuda has transcended its era and remains one of Donic’s best-selling rubbers for over a decade. Thanks to its unique “Formula DONIC” base with an integrated speed glue effect and a newly constructed topsheet that reduces wear, the rubber ensures durability and consistency. Made in Germany, ITTF approved, Baracuda is versatile, suitable for both forehand and backhand, and perfectly suited for players from beginners to professionals (0–15+ years experience).

Key features:

• Rubber type: Pips-in (inverted)

• Speed: 108

• Spin: 109

• Control: 88

• High tension: Yes

• Tacky: No

• Strategy: OFF-, OFF, OFF+

• Surface: Grippy elastic

• Sponge hardness: Medium-hard

• Sponge thickness: 2.0 mm

• Colors: Red, black

• Country of origin: Germany

• Certification: ITTF approved

Donic Baracuda stands out with its construction optimized for looping strokes and spin:

• Sponge (medium-hard): Medium-hard sponge (~45° on ESN scale) provides a balanced speed and control combination. Compared to harder rubbers like DHS Hurricane 3 HARD 40°, Baracuda’s sponge is more elastic, offering longer dwell time that facilitates spin generation and control on topspin strokes. Sponge thickness (e.g., 2.0 mm) boosts speed while maintaining stability.

• Topsheet: The grippy elastic (spin-elastic topsheet) structure delivers extremely high friction, allowing strong spin generation. The newly constructed topsheet reduces wear and edge damage, extending rubber lifespan (~60–80 hours of intense play). The grip is so strong that Baracuda effectively “bites” even 40+ plastic balls, although originally designed for celluloid balls. The topsheet requires regular cleaning with Donic cleaner to maintain grip.

• High tension effect: The integrated speed glue effect enhances topsheet elasticity, providing a catapult effect typical of modern European rubbers. This facilitates attacks against backspin and increases accuracy in counter-loop strokes.

• High ball trajectory: Donic claims Baracuda has the “highest ball trajectory among all currently available rubbers.” This arc stabilizes ball flight, ensures greater spin, and makes extreme angled shots or lifting low balls easier.

• No tackiness: Unlike Chinese rubbers like Donic Akkadi Taichi, Baracuda’s topsheet is not sticky (tacky), so it is less sensitive to dust but still very grippy.

• No anti-spin properties: The rubber is sensitive to incoming spin, requiring technique for blocking or chopping.

The rubber weighs about 45–50 g (trimmed, 2.0 mm thickness), lighter than Chinese rubbers like DHS Neo Hurricane 3 National (~50 g). Available in red and black colors, complying with ITTF rules. Recommended water-based glues (e.g., Donic Vario) and protective film.

Donic Baracuda’s technical specifications:

• Speed: 108 (fast). The rubber is fast, suitable for topspin strokes, looping strokes, and counterattacks close to or mid-distance from the table. Medium-hard sponge and high tension effect provide balanced speed, less explosive than modern tensor rubbers (e.g., Butterfly Tenergy 05) but sufficient for aggressive strokes. Speed depends on player technique and blade.

• Spin: 109 (high). Thanks to the extremely grippy topsheet, the rubber generates exceptional spin, especially for looping strokes, serves, and open attacks (open-ups). The high trajectory enhances spin, allowing easy lifting of backspin balls and spin strokes. Ball slippage is non-existent, ensuring stability.

• Control: 88 (medium). The rubber offers good control when attacking, especially in looping strokes and open attacks. The high trajectory and longer dwell time provide extra security even on risky topspin strokes. However, sensitivity to incoming spin requires technique for blocking or chopping, and passive play is more difficult.

Trajectory: High, curved ball arc suitable for looping and topspin attacks. This arc helps lift balls against backspin, allows playing extreme angles, and provides a large safety margin on counter-loop strokes. Blocking trajectory can be too high, so racket angle must be closed. Users praise “spin potential,” “high arc,” and “control when attacking.”

Donic Baracuda fits various offensive blades:

• Donic Waldner Senso Carbon: Maximizes speed and spin, suitable for OFF+ players.

• Stiga Carbonado 145: Balances speed and control, ideal for forehand side.

• Butterfly Timo Boll ALC: Provides power and precision, suitable for professionals.

• Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive: Emphasizes spin, suitable for looping strokes.

• Donic Ovtcharov Carbospeed: Fast blade, enhances rubber speed.

The rubber pairs best with OFF or OFF+ blades, as the medium-hard sponge and grippy topsheet utilize blade elasticity. Suitable for both forehand and backhand, especially players emphasizing looping strokes.

Donic Baracuda is designed for players seeking spin and accuracy in offense:

• Attacking players (OFF-, OFF, OFF+) managing topspin strokes, looping, and open attacks.

• Spin-focused play seeking rubber generating high spin and high ball arc.

• All-around players, suitable for forehand or backhand, especially looping strokes.

• Close-to-table and mid-distance play: Effective in looping, open attacks, and counterattacks.

• Serves and receives: Very effective for spinny serves due to strong spin. Receiving requires technique due to sensitivity to incoming spin, but open attacks (flick, topspin) are easy.

• Attacks against backspin: High arc and grip enable easy lifting of low balls.

• Counter-looping: Large safety margin and accuracy for counter-loop strokes.

The rubber scores very high in looping strokes (9.8/10) due to spin and high arc, open attacks (9.5/10), serves (9.3/10), and counterattacks (9.0/10). Blocking (8.5/10) and chopping (7.8/10) require technique due to spin sensitivity. Users highlight “spin potential,” “high arc,” and “easy control when attacking.”

• Speed (108), fast, suitable for topspin strokes and counterattacks.

• Spin (109), high, extremely effective for looping and serves.

• Control (88), good when attacking, with safety margin.

• Very grippy topsheet: Strong friction, no ball slippage.

• High ball arc: Easy to lift low balls, play angled shots.

• Durability: New topsheet construction reduces wear.

• Versatility: Suitable for all player levels (0–15+ years experience).

• Spin sensitivity: Due to grippy topsheet, technique needed for blocking or chopping.

• Not too fast: Slower than modern tensor rubbers, limits flat strokes.

• Passive play: High arc and spin sensitivity complicate blocking and chopping.

ITTF approved, suitable for top-level competition. Donic Baracuda is popular among attackers and all-around players for its spin, high arc, and control. Effective against 40+ plastic balls, offers stability and accuracy in looping strokes. Suitable for forehand or backhand, especially for players emphasizing spin strokes.

Donic Baracuda is a rubber made for attackers seeking maximum spin and accuracy. Extremely grippy topsheet, medium-hard sponge, and high ball arc guarantee easy attacks against backspin, safe looping strokes, and stability. A versatile choice for all levels from beginners to professionals, Donic Baracuda is a true spin monster that has transcended its era!