Official regulations for table tennis rackets including blade, rubber, and covering requirements.
Table tennis rackets (also called bats or paddles) must meet specific ITTF regulations:
**Blade Requirements:**
- At least 85% of the blade by thickness must be natural wood
- Can be reinforced with fibrous material (carbon, glass fiber, etc.)
- Must be flat and rigid
- Size and shape are not restricted, but must be reasonable
**Rubber Coverings:**
- Each side used for striking must be covered with either:
- Pimpled rubber (pimples outward) with maximum thickness 2.0mm
- Sandwich rubber (pimpled rubber + sponge layer) with maximum total thickness 4.0mm
**Color Requirements:**
- One side must be bright red
- The other side must be black
- This allows opponents to identify which rubber is being used
**Approved Rubbers:**
- Only ITTF approved rubbers can be used in sanctioned events
- Manufacturers must submit rubbers for testing
- Approved rubbers are listed on the ITTF official website
**Restrictions:**
- No physical, chemical, or other treatment that affects characteristics
- Rubber must be attached with approved adhesive
- Minor damage must not significantly alter characteristics
**Inspection:**
- Rackets must be shown to opponent and umpire before matches
- Players can inspect opponent's racket at any time
- Umpire can inspect racket at any reasonable time
**Spirit of the Rule:**
- Ensures fair play and equal competition
- Prevents unfair advantage through illegal equipment
- Maintains game integrity
Players must ensure their equipment complies with all regulations before competition.