Table Tennis Regulations

Official ITTF rules and regulations for equipment, serving, and tournament play. Stay compliant and play clean.

Source: International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Official Regulations

Important: All booster products are banned effective September 1, 2008. Violation may result in disqualification.

Equipment Regulations

ITTF Law 2.4.7 and related equipment standards that all players must follow.

Booster Ban - ITTF Law 2.4.7

Effective Date: September 1, 2008

The covering material should be used as it has been authorized by the ITTF without any physical, chemical or other treatment changing or modifying:

  • Playing properties
  • Friction characteristics
  • Outlook or appearance
  • Color
  • Structure
  • Surface texture

This means an absolute ban for the use of boosters (tuners, enhancers, improvers, etc.)

Health & Safety Concerns

Health Risks: Boosters are generally bad for your health, even containing poison in some cases.

False Claims: Be skeptical of products claiming to be:

  • Harmless or safe
  • Allowed by ITTF
  • Without volatile compounds (VC)

Reality: Boosters represent a messy, time-consuming, costly, unhealthy, and now illegal way of achieving spin and speed.

Thickness Regulations

Maximum Thickness: 4.00mm total

Technical Leaflet T4: "On no part of the playing surface on a racket covering should this be exceeded"

Testing: More strict enforcement with accurate measuring equipment

According to ITTF tests, there is no way that a sponge can be treated separate from the covering.

Legal Alternatives

Better Ways Exist: Other and better ways exist for achieving spin and speed without illegal boosters.

Focus On:

  • Proper technique development
  • Quality ITTF-approved equipment
  • Professional coaching
  • Regular practice and training

Tournament Testing Procedures

Understanding how equipment is tested at tournaments to ensure compliance.

Testing Devices

enez Device

Standard Sensitivity

Primary testing device that detects volatile compounds and shows red light when levels are too high

RAE Device

High Sensitivity

Backup testing device with higher sensitivity for detecting boosters and volatile compounds

Regulation Timeline

September 1, 2008

Booster Ban Implemented

ITTF Law 2.4.7 - Absolute ban on boosters, tuners, enhancers, and improvers

2008

VC Testing Introduced

Tournament testing for volatile compounds using enez and RAE devices

Ongoing

Stricter Thickness Testing

More accurate measuring equipment for 4.00mm maximum thickness limit

Prohibited Items

  • Boosters (tuners, enhancers, improvers)
  • Any chemical treatment of rubber
  • Physical modification of covering material
  • Products that change friction properties
  • Substances that alter surface structure
  • Materials that modify color or appearance

Required Practices

  • Air new rubber outside plastic bag for 72+ hours before gluing
  • Use only water-based glue or PSAs (Pressure Sensitive Adhesives)
  • Always carry a spare racket if possible
  • Ensure racket thickness does not exceed 4.00mm anywhere
  • Keep racket free of volatile compounds (VCs)
  • Use only ITTF-authorized covering materials

Legal Serving Requirements

Proper serving technique is essential for legal play and tournament compliance.

Detailed Serving Instructions

Complete step-by-step serving instructions and video demonstrations are available to help you master legal serving technique.

View Serving Rules

Player Responsibility

Remember: You as a player are responsible for using a clean racket, i.e. without VC and with the correct thickness.

You may be detected and disqualified in a tournament if using illegal equipment or substances.

Clean Sport Initiative

We are all working for a Clean Sport, and we wish you to enjoy our game even better now.

- Odd Gustavsen, Chairman ITTF Equipment Committee