Table Tennis Rules Q & A

Rocky Dotzler asks:

Regarding your response to a question about the rubber logos being cut off, which I didn't know, my question is: I use a pistol grip paddle and, before you scoff (Note from Greg - too late!), let me say the effects on my game were startling. What started as a novelty while I was in China soon became serious when the improvements were too big to ignore.

Anyway, the pistol grip, which I'm sure you know, has a hole cut literally in the middle/bottom part of the blade to accommodate the middle, ring, and pinky fingers. Unfortunately, this hole is located exactly where the rubber logos would normally go. When the rubber is trimmed, most of the logo is cut out. Is it still illegal if part of the logo can be seen? For example, G6 (for G666), or CR (for Cream). If so, what do you suggest?

Hope this makes sense. Thank you for your time.

Greg replies:

I believe the rubber as you described would be illegal according to Rule 7.1.2 of the Handbook for Match Officials, shown below. You'd still get away with it in most competitions though, I am sure.

However, since the rule only says that the information has to be near the edge of the striking surface, you could probably turn the rubber 90 degrees so that the logo etc is on the edge of your blade that normally points towards the floor. It would be unusual but still legal, I would think. Hopefully you don't hit the ball on the bottom edge too often!

7.1.2 In competitions played under international regulations the covering must be of a type authorised by the ITTF. Coverings authorised in this way carry the ITTF logo and the maker’s logo or trademark, and players are required to attach the rubber to the blade so that these identifying features are clearly visible near the edge of the striking surface so that they can be checked by the umpire.

Best regards,

Greg Letts 10th June 2005

Copyright Greg Letts 2005