Glue - The End !

[DaveR]

Life without glue?

Well soon enough we shall have "life after glue" with the ITTF allowing the cat to crawl carefully out of the the very flimsy bag it was trapped within for a few redundant years. The reality is nearly upon us and i say us because many people who play in various competitions use the "G" word to its fullest potential, having said that i do agree there are lots of players and competitors who have and still are successful without it so maybe we who use the bouncy adhesive should look and learn from those who chose to practice their sport without the need to accelerate the ball by using anything that makes the loudest and fastest "crack" around the world!

Moving seriously and swiftly onwards the question is will the players who use the glues and accelerants be as good as they are now ? my guess would be yes, given you need the talent to begin with, so which players will suffer most and why would be a good place to start.

I have heard numerous stories from various players of how they are going to change into miraculous deffenders overnight by playing with invinceble pimples which will give them that sharp uneasy edge against those who choose to battle on through without the glue to enhance their power strokes.

Well i have some strange news for those who choose this route, the players who opt to play as they did by adapting their stroke play will be eventual winners for one simple reason, they will probably play better and indeed more consitant Table Tennis with fewer mistakes in the process. I actually believe once we are back to "basics" with the extinction of toners / glues the sport will benefit in the long run, with harder sponges probably being the next stage for attackers to accelorate the shot power to near the glue explosion shots of yesteryear.

The ITTF have chosen to ban glue to the depths of the deepest dungeon in the very near future with it never to show its loud and shiney face again so get started and adapt as we speak !

What will be your next move in the saga of speedy non existant glue?

[Moggy]

Life without glue?
What will be your next move in the saga of speedy non existant glue?

Lining up my next shot as I've now returned the ball :thumbsup:

[Mr Wilko]

how are they going to police who is and who is not using glue no system will work even if they make testers people will still use normal glue see if anyone gets caught ???? personally i reckon its a money making scheme made by tt manufacturers?????

[DaveR]

how are they going to police who is and who is not using glue no system will work even if they make testers people will still use normal glue see if anyone gets caught ???? personally i reckon its a money making scheme made by tt manufacturers?????

The system will be quite easy to police in the Competitive sector, with "sniffer" doing the work but locally I'm actually with Wilko on this one and not sure how any Association will police it without the necessary equipment to do so?

[Annie]

The system will be quite easy to police in the Competitive sector, with "sniffer" doing the work but locally I'm actually with Wilko on this one and not sure how any Association will police it without the necessary equipment to do so?

You mean they have Sniffer Dogs at competitions? :resent:

[MK Chris]

I overheard Harvey Webb talking to the Tees-Sport stall guy on Saturday in Sheffield and he was saying that in his opinion the only way forward are "these" (pointing at the protective sheets on the stall.)

Mrs MK Chris uses those new glue-effect rubbers. On the other hand, it doesn't bother me in the slightest, as I have never used speed glue :rocker: :thtease: :happy: (there was no reason to use that rocker emoticon other than the fact that it makes me laugh.)

[Mr Wilko]

they had tester kits the first time in the competitive sector and that did not even work??

That was people glueing 30mins to 1 hr before they played and that was with speed glue which has a more pungent smell than fair chack or other glues these days.

why are they trying to wreck the game, people who use pimples complain about those who use glue saying its an unfair advantage......... surely that is the kettle calling the pot??? i would much rather play someone who uses glue than pimples anyday!!! people who use pimples are often covering up a weakness in there game!!!

Well thats my rant over with !!!!! :Mood: :Mood: :Mood:

[Roger]

IS anyone saying that ALL types of glue are going to be banned?

[Mr Wilko]

IS anyone saying that ALL types of glue are going to be banned?

no Roger not ALL types of glue are going to be banned but it wont be the same as it is now!!!!

[Hovis Bread Eater]

Well I played my last match with "glue" last night, After Gluing up for almost 23 years it has finally come to an end.

I can remember back in the good old days of 1985 using Pang and Tipp Top from the tyre garages, were my parents had to go and buy it for me as I was under 18.

Those glues did smell and people of my age at that time were using it for glue sniffing. ohh the good old days walking into your club and almost getting high on the fumes.

Can remember once going to the Derby select and getting stuck in traffic and me and my borther both gluing up in the back of the car to ensure we were ready to play, All the windows open to stop dad getting high while driving.

Remember also when the ETTA band gluing up and you could use chack but only 24 hours before you were due to play. One of the Vets I knew told the referee that he would be gluing up 24 hours before the tournament but putting his bat in the fridge to prevent the glue drying, he went to the tournament defrosted his bat and was pinging for England.

Those were the days.

[JKC]

I stopped gluing this time last year and it hasn't made the slightest bit of difference to my game. I hope all the glue effect rubbers are all crap so young talentless slappers don't get any advantage from them. All pimples on the other hand should be allowed in fact everyone should be forced to use them against me.

[The Windmill]

Not being one for taking any notice of press releases or changes to rules, can you please tell me when this ban is to be implemented ?

[Annie]

I have to admit I've gotten a little lost on this subject too. Clarification of what the rules stand at as at today and when they take effect would be good?

[Hovis Bread Eater]

Blame it all on Surbek....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_glue

[Belisar]

Certain glues (not just speed glues) were banned for junior events as at 01-Jan-08 and as at Sep-08 for senior events (basically after the Olympics). Actually I am not sure banned is the right word. Some glues are no longer approved by the ITTF so they cannot be used legally.

Bat testing kits are out and available but not widely so as there are a lot of associations globally after them. If you want to cheat and use speed glue after September in a local league I am not sure how they will prove it. Manufacturers will stop producing the non-approved stuff so stocks will run out eventually but an element of goodwill is needed for this ban to be workable at all levels.

There are various options available. Glue impregnated rubbers (from what I have seen these have a good effect but the rubber degrades very quickly). Water based speed glues (they take ages to dry and are not as fast). Pressure packs (not used them but they seem hugely expensive). There is also a rubber treatment solution that stretches the sponge (the same as the speed glue used to do) and can then be afixed to the blade. I am told a few top players are using this and like it.

The game is sure getting complicated.

[Annie]

Belisar, cheers for that very informative post. I'm sure a few of the players will have plenty of comment :thumbsup:

[DaveR]

There are various options available. Glue impregnated rubbers (from what I have seen these have a good effect but the rubber degrades very quickly). Water based speed glues (they take ages to dry and are not as fast). Pressure packs (not used them but they seem hugely expensive). There is also a rubber treatment solution that stretches the sponge (the same as the speed glue used to do) and can then be afixed to the blade. I am told a few top players are using this and like it.


The problem will be that the ITTF are banning glue full stop so nothing will be acceptable. That said i am certainly sure that a massive amount of goodwill at local level will need to be applied given resources and testing equipment.

[Mr Wilko]

there are only 2 testers in England so lets see how they are gona spread them across the tournaments to test peoples bats????

[Roger]

I have been reading more about the changes the ITTF has implemented and I must say most of it is good... If we know WHY I think we can understand better the changes brought in...

I have just received an email from Adham Sharara he says :

There is no need for confusion. There are two issues to consider:
1. Glue
Any material used to affix the rubber to the blade must be VOC free. In fact we test the racket at events and the racket must be VOC free.

2. Friction levels
The ITTF established a friction parameter. Rubbers that do not meet this standard are not approved. Only the rubbers appearing on the ITTF approved list can be used in competition.

Adham

[Jim The Greek]

i just spent £114.00 for two sets of new rubbers AND I GET THIS FEELING NO 1 is going to stop using glue. I might have to sell them to neil mcmaster.