An ambiguous question concerning the long pimples

[alain61]

Hi, everyone,

I would like to know your opinions regarding the following problem.
A few weeks ago I played against an opponent who used long pimples on his backhand. This long pimples, which I know very well because several of my training partners use it, is the DrNeubauer Fighter. The problem is that I didn't recognize the disruptive effects of this long pimples. I couldn't control my opponent's game because his effects were so unpredictable. How can this be explained logically? Several other players have told me that the specifications of this long pimples rubber have been modified in a way that violates ITTF rules. I examined the rubber carefully and found no trace of tampering. It's impossible to prove anything... According to some other players (who provide no concrete evidence), it might even be possible to buy a long pimples rubber that has already been modified by the supplier. Is this possible? Have you ever encountered this problem? I may be naive, but this is the first time I've heard of a supplier going so far as to sell modified coverings. In other words, is it technically possible to verify the validity of a long pimples even if it is on the official ITTF list?

 

[merlin el mago]

It's very easy to know, test for friction with a ball: if ball rotates have friction so is legal if not it's treated, treatment can be done by user not brand related.

 

[andymagata]

I do not think so. Like Andreas Levenko discovered when he played and lost to Chulong Nie, it was perfectly legal according to WTT. But Andreas knew it was tampered with at some point, "THIS RUBBER IS NOT CORRECT"

 

[igorponger]

WHOLE TRUTH OF PIPS.

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=728158158991

This friction tester angled at 17° will tell you whole truth about treated/substandard pips. Most China clubs did adopted the such by now.
-------------------
FAIR PLAY FIRST.

 

[alain61]

It's very easy to know, test for friction with a ball: if ball rotates have friction so is legal if not it's treated, treatment can be done by user not brand related.

Only a question of friction ? I don't think so.
From what I saw, the most unsettling element was the unpredictable effects and random bounces because nothing made sense. But the most frustrating thing was not succeeding at anything even though I knew this long pimples very well. Odd ...

 

[alain61]

WHOLE TRUTH OF PIPS.

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=728158158991

This friction tester angled at 17° will tell you whole truth about treated/substandard pips. Most China clubs did adopted the such by now.
-------------------
FAIR PLAY FIRST.

The only element tested is friction, but this does not seem sufficient to be certain that a long pimples conforms to official specifications. There is the placement of the pimps and their geometric characteristics (which, in my opinion, are impossible to control).

 

[Sedis]

The blade and the age and condition of the pips can both have a big effect on how they behave, so it is entirely possible they would be different to your training partners without being modified.

It is also possible to vary the effect depending on the technique used, either intentionally or because of inconstancy.

I suspect if you played this opponent regularly you would find them more predictable.

 

[alain61]

The blade and the age and condition of the pips can both have a big effect on how they behave, so it is entirely possible they would be different to your training partners without being modified.

It is also possible to vary the effect depending on the technique used, either intentionally or because of inconstancy.

I suspect if you played this opponent regularly you would find them more predictable.

Absolutely true, but unfortunately that doesn't answer my initial question. How can I be certain that a long pimples has not been modified? Perhaps is it impossible to be absolutely sure.

 

[Matteones]

You cannot be certain.
The only thing you can do is to get over it and/or use it as fuel to beat them.

 

[alain61]

You cannot be certain.
The only thing you can do is to get over it and/or use it as fuel to beat them.

Your answer is very nuanced... excellent! It is true that since certainty of conformity doesn't exist, the only solution is to do one's best.

 

[Matteones]

Also remember that if it really is unpredictable, by definition, it's unpredictable for them too.
It does not really help them, it just plays on surprise and upsetting you. If you stay calm and analyze the game and points you will soon find out that those rubbers strongly limit who uses them. There is a reason why everyone passed to sponge rubbers back when they were invented and hardbat became practically useless, and that reason is called spin.
So you can invest your time in learning how to beat them (I assure you, it's less time than you think) or you can invest it in finding a way to prove tampering or anything they might or might not have done to their rubbers, externalizing the problem.
I know which one gives me more satisfaction, you can choose yours .

 

[merlin el mago]

Also you can measure the lenght to be sure is legal.

 

[merlin el mago]

Hi, everyone,

I would like to know your opinions regarding the following problem.
A few weeks ago I played against an opponent who used long pimples on his backhand. This long pimples, which I know very well because several of my training partners use it, is the DrNeubauer Fighter. The problem is that I didn't recognize the disruptive effects of this long pimples. I couldn't control my opponent's game because his effects were so unpredictable. How can this be explained logically? Several other players have told me that the specifications of this long pimples rubber have been modified in a way that violates ITTF rules. I examined the rubber carefully and found no trace of tampering. It's impossible to prove anything... According to some other players (who provide no concrete evidence), it might even be possible to buy a long pimples rubber that has already been modified by the supplier. Is this possible? Have you ever encountered this problem? I may be naive, but this is the first time I've heard of a supplier going so far as to sell modified coverings. In other words, is it technically possible to verify the validity of a long pimples even if it is on the official ITTF list?

Surely your training partners are not the same skilled that the opponent you played few weeks ago....

 

[alain61]

Surely your training partners are not the same skilled that the opponent you played few weeks ago....

There are several options :
First one : I was not clever enough to play against this kind of opponent (which is always plausible),
Second one : my training partners are too weak (plausible as well),
Third one : the long pimples of my opponent was really "modified".
In fact, I often play against long pimples and I like it.

 

[merlin el mago]

My vote for 1st & 2nd one, not all LP players cheat like all inverted players using booster.

 

[vvk1]

OP, is there a video of your opponent playing someone else with these disruptive LPs?

 

[alain61]

My vote for 1st & 2nd one, not all LP players cheat like all inverted players using booster.

I must admit that you are right.

 

[alain61]

OP, is there a video of your opponent playing someone else with these disruptive LPs?

No video available ...

 

[firetack]

Slide the ball on the pips you will know if they are frictionless by treatment it will be obvious,if it slides easily look at the top of the pips to see if there is anything on them this is easy to spot.

 

[alain61]

I've discussed this problem with many table tennis competitors, and clearly there's no real solution for ensuring the absolute conformity of long pimples. Are unscrupulous suppliers selling long pimples that have already been modified at the time of purchase? The debate is far from over ...