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.
ITTF Law 2.4.7 and related equipment standards that all players must follow.
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:
This means an absolute ban for the use of boosters (tuners, enhancers, improvers, etc.)
Health Risks: Boosters are generally bad for your health, even containing poison in some cases.
False Claims: Be skeptical of products claiming to be:
Reality: Boosters represent a messy, time-consuming, costly, unhealthy, and now illegal way of achieving spin and speed.
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.
Better Ways Exist: Other and better ways exist for achieving spin and speed without illegal boosters.
Focus On:
Understanding how equipment is tested at tournaments to ensure compliance.
Primary testing device that detects volatile compounds and shows red light when levels are too high
Backup testing device with higher sensitivity for detecting boosters and volatile compounds
ITTF Law 2.4.7 - Absolute ban on boosters, tuners, enhancers, and improvers
Tournament testing for volatile compounds using enez and RAE devices
More accurate measuring equipment for 4.00mm maximum thickness limit
Proper serving technique is essential for legal play and tournament compliance.
Complete step-by-step serving instructions and video demonstrations are available to help you master legal serving technique.
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.
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