Checking opponent's rubbers

Please read the question again Alois.

Sorry, I am not sure what you mean then.  I think you should ask your opponent even if it isn't what is usually done.

Roy, I often ask my opponents if I can see their bat and I have seen others ask their opponents too. I confess sometimes I only ask after hearing an odd sound after the ball hits their bat or if during warm up their returns don't behave as I expect (usually means long pimples or anti on their blade)

Alois is dead right though, we should ask and as far as I know it is never considered in anyway rude or unsporting to do so. More often than not this is how I learn about other rubbers as it usually leads to a discussion on how the rubbers or pimples play. Table tennis is I am glad to say usually a very friendly and sociable sport...so just ask.

Roy, the only way to discover what rubber your opponent has is by asking. This is done before a match which is in the rules:

2.04.08 At the start of a match and whenever he changes his racket during a match a player shall show his opponent and the umpire the racket he is about to use and shall allow them to examine it.

It is done at any level.

One thing that blew my mind was that my coach told me if I wanted to be a 'very' good player, I may want to learn about all the major rubbers used out there and memorise each one, so that when I looked at an opponents bat I would instantly know what that rubber did. (I have not done this yet as it is too mind boggling for me atm).

Thanks for that Beauford P. Perhaps we need a video Alois on how to identify different types of rubbers when we examine the bat?

Hi Roy,

There is this one which may help a bit. Effects of Rubbers.

Roy you can learn about the rubbers on this site :

http://www.tabletennisdb.com/

this site has all the rubbers and blades included. You can read the reviews from players worldwide and ratings of the rubbers and blades. This will help you learn a lot.