Glue ......Racket Testing

[DaveR]

http://www.sportfocus.com/newsimage/Andrew-Rushton---2006-World14.jpg


With the change in glue regulations and the ban of those containing VOC's (predominantly speed glues), the ETTA have updated their Racket Testing Guidelines (Click here (http://www.sportfocus.com/reguser/dynabizinfo/download.cfm?number=13617)) and have got a few helpful hints.

When replacing rubber it is advisable to;
· Remove the sheet of rubber from its packaging a couple of days before use. This is because some manufacturers use an adhesive that contains VOC's to stick the protective film to the rubber
· Do not replace the racket into its case immediately after gluing. Allow the racket to air sufficiently beforehand.
· [Be aware that, when using ‘boosters’, there can be an increase in the sponge thickness which could take the overall rubber thickness over the maximum allowed.

Although the glue ban doesn’t come into effect for Senior events, it was implemented for all youth events at the beginning of the year, including this weekend’s Cadet and Junior National Championships.

[The Windmill]

[quote=DaveR;4505]

When replacing rubber it is advisable to;
· Remove the sheet of rubber from its packaging a couple of days before use. This is because some manufacturers use an adhesive that contains VOC's to stick the protective film to the rubber

" Surley manufacturers should be aware of this and stop attaching a protective film with adhesives containing VOC's"......its that simple

[DaveR]

Hey Windy I'm with you on this one as it seems some of the manufactures do it to protect the surface............strange I believe Rapid is like that if my memory serves me. The whole process seems crazy, but also this may only be like this until a complete and total ban?

[Belisar]

My worry is we are increasing the gap between the top and the bottom in terms of competition. Rubbers and glues can be tested at the top level but are impossible to police in local leagues.

It is simply not fair for a player who competes in grand prix events to compete in his/her local league against a player who has used a banned substance.

How does a local league handle a complaint about someone using something illegal ?

It is also pretty clear that the ITTF and manufacturers need to sit around a table, discuss the needs and wants and ramifications of it all and release a joint statement saying we know where we are going and this is the timescale. They seem not to have thought this through at all well.

[SammyBoy]

My worry is we are increasing the gap between the top and the bottom in terms of competition. Rubbers and glues can be tested at the top level but are impossible to police in local leagues.

It is simply not fair for a player who competes in grand prix events to compete in his/her local league against a player who has used a banned substance.

How does a local league handle a complaint about someone using something illegal ?

It is also pretty clear that the ITTF and manufacturers need to sit around a table, discuss the needs and wants and ramifications of it all and release a joint statement saying we know where we are going and this is the timescale. They seem not to have thought this through at all well.

Totally agree with you its not workable to police it in local leagues and needs to much honesty for it to be a success. ITTF need to sit and knock heads together to achieve something workable. Its impossible to investigate a complaint from anyone local because of the sheer magnitude of the work involved. Nightmare springs to mind!

[Moggy]

· Remove the sheet of rubber from its packaging a couple of days before use. This is because some manufacturers use an adhesive that contains VOC's to stick the protective film to the rubber

This would explain why a non tacky rubber is so much better in the first few months of its life, and why SpinMax restores it to its previous level.

[Moggy]

Totally agree with you its not workable to police it in local leagues and needs to much honesty for it to be a success. ...

As far as I know there is no direction from the ETTA that such substances are banned in the local league, just ETTA Events!
I think local leagues should include in their local rules that VOC glues are banned - ok you can't police it, but the league should make it plain as to where it stands. The same should apply to racket coverings, i.e the league only allows ITTF rubbers.

[Guy]

I'm sorry for going off topic but in reply to Belistar and SammyBoy as an outsider looking in I hope you don’t think I’m overstepping some bounds. But on the matter of the equipment disparities at the different levels that are taking place and why are the governing bodies of the ITTF and equipment manufactures not working toward a common goal. Has there ever been a potion signed by players and a letter composed to address the issues that are most concerning to the majority of players and sent it to the appropriate entities. I agree that it may seem nightmarish but everything has to start some where, and by having something tangible people are more likely to listen (referring to the ITTF and manufactures). Regarding the league equipment issues, a joint effort can be made by the people in charge to start and maintain a list of what is allowed. This would at least assure that players in the UK that decide to travel to other countries will be in compliance with equipment rules.

[Mr Wilko]

It is simply not fair for a player who competes in grand prix events to compete in his/her local league against a player who has used a banned substance.

How does a local league handle a complaint about someone using something illegal ?

this has been going on in our league since bike glue was banned years ago!!!!!!

like i have said in past you need to be a scientist to understand this new ruling (take rubber out of packaging, leave for couple days glue 72 hours before playing dont glue twice in one week dont put bat back in case) what a load of rubbish!!!

Plus doing this your house will smell like a fish mongers!!!! lol :redcard::redcard:

[The Windmill]

Possibly as a persons stock of banned glue runs out they will not easily be able to replace it if all the usual TT stockists do not sell it any more.

[Mr Wilko]

there are always ATS and Quick Fit were people can still get bike glue from????????

[The Windmill]

there are always ATS and Quick Fit were people can still get bike glue from????????

You are correct and when bike glue 1st came on the scene I used to get my Tip Top glue from a garage myself.....but if it is not readily available as it is now, I'm sure sourcing glue from ATS etc will put off all but the most dedicated cheats.

[MK Chris]

My worry is we are increasing the gap between the top and the bottom in terms of competition. Rubbers and glues can be tested at the top level but are impossible to police in local leagues.

It is simply not fair for a player who competes in grand prix events to compete in his/her local league against a player who has used a banned substance.

How does a local league handle a complaint about someone using something illegal ?

It is also pretty clear that the ITTF and manufacturers need to sit around a table, discuss the needs and wants and ramifications of it all and release a joint statement saying we know where we are going and this is the timescale. They seem not to have thought this through at all well.
I think (and I may be very wrong) people who just play local league generally don't use speed glue. Certainly, in my opinion, unless you also play Grands Prix regularly, it's not really worth doing.

[Moggy]

I think (and I may be very wrong) people who just play local league generally don't use speed glue. Certainly, in my opinion, unless you also play Grands Prix regularly, it's not really worth doing.
In the Ipswich league there are/were a number of players using Speed glue/rubbers. Those who do/were are playing in other leagues at a higher level, plus a few local league players who can push the others and need to match any advantage it gives them.
The rest of us just watch the ball whistle past and prey for a 50mm ball :thtease:

[Mr Wilko]

dont even go there moggy (50mm ball) we will be playing with a tennis ball before long!!!

[DaveR]

Hey larger Table Tennis balls have and are being dicussed as we speak, with the ITTF bouncing these ideas around again !

[Mr Wilko]

christ why dont they just change everything and we start playing outside on grass and call it tennis oh someone already has!!!!! lol

[Annie]

Change! Not many like it!!