Rubber colour

Saketh R Asked 13 years ago

Is there a rule that we should use only red and black rubber, If it is there why only red and black why not different colours.

Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago

Hi Saketh,

Yes, you do have to use one side red and one side black. This is so the opposition player can tell clearly which rubber you are hitting the ball with. This was brought in when Anti-spin was very popular so that opponents can tell whether you are hitting it with rubber or anti-spin. They initially brought in a rule that said they had to be two distinctive colours but players were bending the rules by using black and blue rubbers which at times can be difficult to tell apart. That is why now they have to be Red and Black. You also have to make sure that the red is a bright red. Players can still be pulled up if their rubber is a dark red.

← All wood or carbon blades Returning smashes as a tactic →

Recommended Video

Choosing a Table Tennis Bat

Make sure you buy a table tennis bat that is suitable for your level and allows you to develop your technique. For your first bat we recommend the PingSkills Rook, and when you upgrade to a custom bat we recommend the PingSkills Touch with Mark V or Rakza 7.

Watch Now

D K Posted 9 years ago

I think he also wanted to know why it is not for example a blue-yellow combo

Jean Balthazar Posted 9 years ago

I used to think that all you needed to comply with was having two rubbers of two different colours, whatever those colours would be. Like, why not, yellow and blue. Until I looked at this "ITTF Handbook for Match Officials" that Alois referred to on another occasion. There it clearly states, in 7.1.1 "A striking surface of the racket must be covered with one of the specified materials and, whether covered or not, one side must be red and the other black."

So it's no coincidence that the ITTF approved rubbers are all either red or black.