DONIC ALLIGATOR ANTI

Donic Alligator Anti – this is an antispin table tennis rubber, designed for defensive (DEF+), all-round (ALL-, ALL), and disruptive players seeking to perform various antispin strokes and dangerous attacks. This rubber, characterized by a hard sponge and a taut antispin topsheet, offers a strong antispin effect, short ball contact (dwell time), and high control. It allows effective ball control when returning shots, causes a disruptive effect, and, when combined with an inverted rubber on the other side of the racket, enables changes in playing speed, causing problems for opponents. Made in Germany, ITTF approved, the rubber is offered in red and black colors, with a 1.0 mm or 1.5 mm sponge thickness, ensuring versatility and disruptive impact.

Main features:

• Rubber type: Antispin

• Speed: 77

• Spin: 25

• Control: 92

• Tensor: No

• Tackiness: No

• Strategy: DEF+, ALL-, ALL

• Surface: Antispin

• Sponge hardness: Hard

• Sponge thickness: 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm

• Colors: Red, black

• Country of origin: Germany

• Approval: ITTF approved

Donic Alligator Anti stands out with its construction optimized for disruption and control:

• Sponge (hard): Hard sponge (~45–50° on the ESN scale), offered in 1.0 mm or 1.5 mm thickness. The hardness ensures short ball contact, which enhances the antispin effect and speed when returning the ball. The 1.0 mm sponge provides more control and stronger disruption, suitable for passive play, while the 1.5 mm offers slightly more speed, effective for counterattacks and attacks. Compared to long pips rubbers like Donic Piranja, the Alligator Anti sponge is harder, therefore faster, but less disruptive.

• Topsheet: The taut antispin topsheet is smooth, with minimal friction, ensuring a strong antispin effect. The topsheet neutralizes the opponent’s spin, returning the ball with a flat trajectory and disrupting the opponent’s rhythm. Unlike tacky rubbers like Donic Akkadi Taichi, the Alligator Anti topsheet is insensitive to incoming spin, making it easy to block and return spin shots. The topsheet is durable, but regular cleaning (e.g., with Donic cleaner) helps maintain its properties.

• Antispin effect: The topsheet and hard sponge create a strong antispin effect that neutralizes the opponent’s topspin, returning the ball with minimal or reversed spin. This allows disruptive strokes, especially short pushes and blocks.

• No tensor effect: The Alligator Anti does not have a catapult effect typical of European rubbers like Donic Bluefire M2. Speed and disruption depend on the player's technique, and the linear power transfer ensures control.

• No spin generation: Due to the antispin topsheet, the rubber generates minimal spin (25), so it is not suitable for spin shots but ideal for disruptive play.

The rubber weighs about 35–40 g (cut, 1.5 mm thickness), is lighter than inverted rubbers like DHS Hurricane 3 (~50 g), thus suitable for players seeking a lightweight racket. Colors – red and black – comply with ITTF rules. Recommended water-based glue (e.g., Donic Vario) and protective film.

Donic Alligator Anti has the following technical ratings:

• Speed: 77 (medium). The rubber has medium speed, suitable for blocking, short pushes, and counterattacks. The hard sponge provides enough speed to pressure the opponent but is slower than inverted rubbers like Donic Akkadi Taichi (83). The 1.5 mm sponge is faster than 1.0 mm, suitable for more aggressive play.

• Spin: 25 (minimal). The antispin topsheet generates very little spin, so it is unsuitable for topspin strokes or serves with heavy spin. However, the disruptive effect neutralizes the opponent’s spin, returning the ball with flat or reversed rotation.

• Control: 92 (medium-high). The rubber offers high control in passive play, especially for blocking, pushing, and returning serves. The hard sponge and antispin topsheet ensure stable ball bounce, allowing precise trajectory control. Control is similar to Donic Akkadi Taichi (92), but higher than DHS Hurricane 2 NEO (48).

Trajectory: Flat and low, suitable for blocking, short pushes, and disruptive counterattacks. The trajectory lacks the arc typical of spin shots, making it hard for the opponent to predict the ball's behavior. Users praise the “disruptive effect,” “control,” and “stability,” especially when blocking at the table.

Donic Alligator Anti suits various blades, especially defensive or all-round:

• Donic Defplay Senso: For defensive play, maximizes disruption.

• Donic Alligator Combi: Special blade designed to pair with antispin rubber.

• Yasaka Sweden Defensive: Control-focused blade, suitable for 1.0 mm sponge.

• Stiga Defensive Classic: Balances control and disruption.

• DHS D40+: Faster blade, suitable for 1.5 mm sponge for counterattacks.

The rubber pairs best with slower blades, as the antispin topsheet and hard sponge benefit from the blade’s control. Recommended for backhand side, paired with an inverted rubber on the forehand side, e.g., Donic Akkadi Taichi or DHS Hurricane 3.

Donic Alligator Anti is suitable for players seeking to disrupt the opponent and control the game:

• For defensive and all-round players (DEF+, ALL-, ALL), mastering antispin strokes, blocking, and counterattacks.

• For disruptive play, those seeking rubber that neutralizes the opponent’s spin and changes game rhythm.

• For passive play at the table: Effective for blocking, short pushes, and returning serves.

• For aggressive counterattacks: The 1.5 mm sponge enables dangerous flat hits.

• Paired with inverted rubber: Creates a contrast in speed and spin, disturbing the opponent.

The rubber is effective for blocking (9.5/10), short game (9.3/10), counterattacks (8.8/10, especially with 1.5 mm), but spin (2.5/10) and serves (3.0/10) are limited. Users praise the “disruptive effect,” “control,” and “ease of handling,” especially on the backhand side.

• Speed (77): Medium, suitable for blocking and counterattacks.

• Control (92): High in passive play.

• Spin (25): Minimal, strong antispin effect.

• Antispin topsheet: Neutralizes spin, disrupts opponent.

• Hard sponge: Stability and speed.

• Lightweight: Suitable for light rackets (~30–35 g).

• Price: Affordable (~$30–40).

• Minimal spin: Not suitable for spin play or serves.

• Technical demands: Requires experience handling antispin rubber.

• Limited speed: Slower than inverted rubbers.

• Disruptive effect: May be less effective against experienced opponents.

ITTF approved, suitable for competition. The rubber is popular among defenders and disruptive players, especially on the backhand side, paired with a spin rubber on the forehand. Effective against 40+ plastic balls, offers stability and disruption but requires technique to maximize counterattacks.

Vs. DHS Neo Hurricane 3 National 39° (Speed: 120, Spin: 127, Control: 90):
Alligator Anti is significantly slower (77 vs. 120) and does not generate spin (25 vs. 127), but offers greater control (92 vs. 90). Hurricane 3 is a tacky, offensive rubber for high spin and speed, while Alligator Anti is designed for disruptive, controlled play with minimal spin. Alligator Anti is better suited for blocking and passive play, while Hurricane 3 excels at spin-based attacks and aggressive looping.

Vs. Donic Akkadi Taichi (Speed: 83, Spin: 58, Control: 92):
Akkadi Taichi is a tacky rubber with better spin potential (58 vs. 25) and higher speed (83 vs. 77). However, both rubbers offer similar control (92). Alligator Anti provides stronger anti-spin effects and greater disruption, while Akkadi Taichi is more versatile in spinning and attacking.

Vs. Donic Piranja Formula Tec (Speed: 72, Spin: 30, Control: 95):
Piranja is a long pips rubber with softer sponge and higher disruption effect. It generates slightly more spin (30 vs. 25) and has a slightly lower speed (72 vs. 77). Control is higher (95 vs. 92), and the pip structure allows for highly disruptive returns. Alligator Anti offers a more linear and consistent feel with better blocking potential, while Piranja creates unpredictable returns with a softer touch.