Table Tennis Bats - New Rules

Whether you call them table tennis bats, table tennis rackets, table tennis paddles, ping pong bats, ping pong rackets or ping pong paddles ... you'll need to know about the new rules that the ITTF introduced in 2008 relating to rubbers and glues containing volatile compounds (VOCs).

These new rules apply to all ITTF events, but each national association can choose whether to implement them fully, partially or not at all, in their own country.

Well, these new rules relate to ...

• the use of VOC-free glues only
• the banning of any types of additives such as Boosters and Tuners etc, and
• enforcing the 4mm thickness rule for rubbers

That's a lot of new rules affecting your table tennis bat!

The International Table Tennis Federation's (ITTF) new rule on VOC-free glue first came into effect on 1 January 2008, but it was restricted to Juniors only.

This restriction was introduced to give the ITTF time to develop, test and refine their new testing procedures.

So after eight months ... on 1 September 2008 ... a ban on glues with VOCs came into effect for all competitors.

And on 1 January 2009 the ITTF started testing rackets 20 minutes before a match started, at all ITTF events, to ensure that they met all the new rules and regulations.

Finally, with effect from 1 July 2009, the ITTF started conducting racket testing after the match as well, and players may be disqualified if their racket fails this test.

1. Glue

   Mini-RAE Lite^® device

   Since the 1980s, table tennis players have experimented with different types of table tennis glue to affix their rubbers to their table tennis bat.

   It was discovered that certain types of glue had the effect of increasing the speed of the table tennis rubber if the player re-glued the rubber at frequent intervals.

   This gave the attacking / offensive player a distinct advantage and gradually led to the development of "speed glue".

   However, this type of glue contained volatile compounds which gave off a distinctive odour. This odour is now considered harmful to a players' health.

   Therefore all glues containing volatile compounds are now banned, and testing for the presence of VOCs will now be made at tournaments.

   With effect from 7 October 2009, a new device called a Mini-RAE Lite^®, which can detect very small amounts of solvents, will be used to test rackets.

    

2. Boosters and Tuners etc

   

   Boosters and tuners also contain VOCs ... so they're banned too.

   Your rubber must be used just as it's been authorised by the ITTF.

   You're not allowed to change or modify its playing characteristics by using chemical or other treatments, nor change its friction, outlook, colour, structure, surface, etc.

   If you want to clean your rubber, you should only use plain water.

    

3. 4mm thickness for rubbers

   

   Rule 2.04 has always stated that a table tennis bat with sandwich rubber must have a total thickness, including adhesive, of not more than 4mm.

   However, umpires have never been able to accurately check this ... until now.

   A new thickness measurement device has now been developed by two table tennis manufacturers and it's now being used to check the thickness of your rubbers.

You as a player are responsible for using a clean racket, i.e. without VOCs and with the correct thickness. So don't add anything to your racket.

As a precaution you should therefore take the following steps:

• Air your new rubber outside the plastic bag for at least 72 hours before gluing it to your table tennis bat.
• Only use water based glue or VOC-free pressure-sensitive adhesive sheets.
• Only clean your table tennis bat with water - don't use any other substances.
• Adding natural substances such as oils, etc. is illegal and will be detected.
• Do not stretch your rubber. You must use the rubber as it's been approved by the ITTF and as it comes from the producer.
• You should use a thin layer of glue to avoid exceeding the 4mm thickness limit. Make sure the surface is flat and does not bulge. Sometimes the rubber is too thick when it comes from the factory. It's your responsibility not to use it.
• Always carry a spare table tennis bat if you can.

The ITTF intends to impose the strictest penalties on those that break the rules. This includes players, coaches, National Associations and manufacturers.

So, take care of your table tennis bat and don't break the rules - you have been warned!

For more information about the rules of table tennis, take a look at my other articles which explain the Official Laws of Table Tennis and the additional Regulations in more detail.